CHILAS – Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed an election rally in Chilas Tehsil of Diamer district on Wednesday.
He claimed that nine seats were taken away from the PPP during the previous elections. Some people are pursuing anti-poor politics and manifestos, but the Pakistan Peoples Party looks only towards the people, and God willing, with the strength of the people, they will demonstrate their power in Gilgit-Baltistan and elect a Jiyala Prime Minister. Bilawal said, “Stamp the arrow and I will form a government for you.”
He said that the Diamer-Bhasha Dam was not completed because in 2013, President Zardari’s government was not allowed to return due to what he described as “NRO elections.” He said work on the Diamer-Bhasha Dam had begun during President Zardari’s first tenure, and had his government continued, the dam would have already been completed. He pledged that after forming the government in Gilgit-Baltistan, they would solve the people’s problems. He demanded that the PSDP should prioritise work on the Diamer-Bhasha Dam. Referring to India, he said India is committing “water terrorism,” making the dam even more important. He remarked that if Shehbaz Sharif had worked in Lahore with “Shehbaz Speed,” then he should now demonstrate the same speed for this dam.
He said the PPP never compromises on the rights of the people. He said that two years after the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, the PPP would win elections in Pakistan and form the federal government. He noted that the PPP gave Pakistan the 1973 Constitution and would now also ensure a constitution and constitutional protection for Gilgit-Baltistan. The PPP would guarantee the rights of governance, ownership, and employment. He said that first Benazir Bhutto became the chain linking the four provinces, and now she would become the chain linking all five provinces.
He added that currently, only the PPP election camps in Gilgit-Baltistan are full of enthusiasm, while all others appear worried. He said the candidates of the federal government are roaming around disappointed. “They are our friends, but they are going to lose,” he remarked. He further said that some parties may have money, but their camps remain silent because they do not understand that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan are honourable people who cannot be bought. “On 7 June, only the Arrow will prevail,” he concluded.
He said the Constitution states that the first right over a province’s resources belongs to the people of that province, and they would make Islamabad understand this principle. He said that in Tharparkar, they generated electricity from coal, and similarly in Gilgit-Baltistan they would produce electricity through public-private partnerships to meet both local and national needs.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that just as Sindh currently has the world’s largest housing project, they would introduce a similar project in Gilgit-Baltistan. The people would also be made owners of the land on which these homes are built, just as was done in Sindh. He said these houses were designed to withstand climate change. He further stated that throughout Sindh, world-class medical institutions have been established where treatment for heart, liver, kidney diseases, and cancer is available, with medicines also provided free of cost. “We do not complain; we are the ones who raise the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappay,’” he said, adding that together they would solve all problems. He urged the people to elect PPP representatives in Diamer so that their problems could be solved at every level. Bilawal said that after 7 June, development would take place in Diamer. He urged the people of Astore-2 to elect Mousavi Sahib, the people of Diamer to send Bashir Sahib to the assembly, and the voters of Diamer-2 to ensure the victory of Attaullah Shah. He said Muhammad Naseem is his candidate from Diamer-3 and must also be elected.
