Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday, seemingly referring to the PML-N leadership, denied any fears of intimidation by “politicians from Lahore,” promising a fierce battle in the forthcoming elections on February 8.
Yesterday, the tiger made its long-awaited debut. I really hope he doesn’t back down when he sees how many people are here. Speaking at a rally in Rahim Yar Khan the day after Nawaz Sharif’s first election speech in Hafizabad, he told the “politicians from Lahore” that his party would “take the challenge [to contest polls] head-on” and that it would not be scared to do so.
When asked about his plans for the elections, Bilawal confidently said, “God willing, the victory will be yours, mine, and the PPP’s.” Recognizing the public’s distress over inflation and unemployment, he emphasized that the PPP is the only political party sincerely running on a platform.
If elected on February 8, he has pledged to immediately begin implementing his 10-point social program to fight poverty and inflation.
Bilawal criticized Imran Khan’s promise to construct five million houses and brought attention to the PPP’s program in Sindh that guarantees people the right to housing. We have started granting people property rights and constructing houses in Sindh. He made it clear that they weren’t just talking; they were actually doing something.
Focusing on budgetary restraint, the ex-foreign minister promised to redistribute monies from the seven federal departments, which consume Rs300 billion annually, to the benefit of the people. According to him, “We will shut down these ministries and spend these Rs300 billion on the people.”
To help women gain economic independence, the PPP chairman has promised to make interest-free loans available so that they might start their own enterprises. To wrap things up, he said, “Our mission is not just to govern; it’s to serve the people,” highlighting the importance of coordinating public spending with popular priorities. Every rupee will be spent in a way that benefits the people we are elected to serve.
According to Bilawal, the wealthy get subsidies worth Rs1,500 billion annually. “We will end the subsidy to the elites and put the money toward public welfare if our government is in power,” he declared.
By offering interest-free loans, he intended to empower women economically so that they could start their own enterprises.
