ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday warned that Pakistan continued to face serious economic difficulties and stressed the need for coordinated efforts by the federal and provincial governments to provide relief to the public amid rising inflation and growing financial pressure.Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the party’s parliamentary group in Islamabad, Bilawal Bhutto said discussions had taken place regarding the NFC technical committee, while clarifying that no formal consultation had been held with the PPP concerning any proposed constitutional amendment.
Referring to speculation surrounding a possible 27th constitutional amendment, he said he had personally spoken on the issue but would only give a detailed reaction to any future amendment once concrete proposals emerged.
The PPP chairman said the country was facing an economic and financial crisis, adding that the people of Pakistan were under immense pressure due to inflation and rising living costs. He emphasised that providing relief to the public must remain the government’s top priority.
Bilawal said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had requested provincial governments to assist the federation in efforts aimed at controlling inflation and easing economic hardships.
He noted that relief measures were being considered for motorcycle riders in relation to fuel prices and said the federal and provincial governments would work together to provide maximum relief to citizens.
Discussing national and regional developments, Bilawal Bhutto said issues such as tensions with India and conflicts involving the United States and Iran became matters of national importance in which Pakistanis traditionally stood united.
He stressed that political parties and institutions demonstrated solidarity during difficult times out of patriotism and commitment to the country’s stability.
The PPP chairman praised ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring peace in the Middle East, stating that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were actively working to promote peace and stability in the region. He expressed hope that peace would prevail in Iran and across the wider Middle East.
Bilawal Bhutto also defended Pakistan’s foreign policy direction, saying the country’s diplomacy was moving in the right direction and was being shaped in accordance with Pakistan’s national interests. He highlighted Pakistan’s strong relations with Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, adding that defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia was helping further strengthen bilateral ties.
He said Pakistan had condemned attacks on Iran and noted that Gulf Cooperation Council countries had also condemned missile attacks and regional escalation. Referring to the broader Middle East conflict, Bilawal claimed that after Iran, the highest number of missile attacks had affected the UAE, underscoring the seriousness of the regional security situation.
The PPP chairman cautioned that economic difficulties appeared to be increasing rather than easing and warned that the upcoming federal budget could bring additional challenges. He said the government would have to take decisions focused on public relief while keeping economic realities in mind.
Bilawal reiterated the PPP’s support for the government on matters related to national security and national interest, stating that Pakistanis always united during critical moments. Recalling recent tensions with India, he said he had independently engaged with international media to defend Pakistan’s position during the conflict even before being formally requested to do so.
He added that after the conflict, the prime minister had asked him to lead a peace-related committee, while during the Iran-U.S. tensions, although the government had not formally sought the PPP’s involvement, the party still stood alongside national efforts.
Bilawal Bhutto said Pakistanis had witnessed a series of difficult developments over the years, including terrorism, conflict with India, and the ongoing instability in the Middle East.
He reiterated condemnation of attacks in Iran and the broader region and expressed hope that Pakistan’s leadership would succeed in international peace efforts.
