Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly defended the Benazir Income Support Programme during a speech in the National Assembly, describing attempts to target the welfare initiative as “sad and shameful.”
The chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party said his party would continue to support BISP regardless of criticism, emphasizing that the program has helped millions of families across Pakistan and earned international recognition as an effective poverty alleviation model.
Bilawal noted that BISP played a critical role during both the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating floods, warning that eliminating such programs would undermine efforts to reduce poverty and support vulnerable communities.
During his address, he also welcomed the recent Iran-US peace agreement, calling it a positive development and a new source of hope for regional and global stability.
He paid tribute to Pakistan’s civil and military leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their efforts in supporting peace initiatives.
Discussing economic issues, Bilawal stressed the importance of cooperation between the federation and provinces under the Constitution. He said recent challenges had been resolved through consensus and reaffirmed that the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award remains protected.
The PPP chairman also voiced concerns over the petroleum levy, noting that it was originally introduced as a temporary measure following the 2022 floods but has since become a permanent source of federal revenue.
According to Bilawal, all proceeds from the levy currently go to the federal government, while constitutional principles require a fair distribution of resources between the center and provinces. He argued that provinces are frequently asked to generate budget surpluses, limiting their ability to invest in development and public welfare projects.
Addressing security issues, Bilawal warned that Pakistan continues to face threats from terrorism and regional instability. He alleged that hostile elements are sponsoring terrorist activities and expressed concern over anti-Pakistan activities allegedly originating from Afghanistan.
He also highlighted development challenges in former tribal districts and ongoing economic issues in Balochistan, calling for national unity and collective action to address security and economic concerns.
Bilawal concluded by urging political stakeholders to put aside differences and work together in the national interest, emphasizing that peace, stability, and development require cooperation from all provinces and institutions.
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