Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said the emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) could be lifted if the opposition supports the federal government against terrorism.
Speaking to party workers in Karachi, Bilawal made the remarks after paying tribute to the victims of the Karsaz tragedy. He called for a united national response to the growing threat of terrorism.
Bilawal said KP was facing severe terrorist violence, with members of the armed forces, police, and civilians losing their lives. He stressed that Pakistan could not defeat terrorism without cooperation among political parties and state institutions.
He also criticized KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, accusing him of failing to take a strong position against terrorism. Bilawal alleged that Afridi had taken an oath not to fight terrorist groups.
The PPP chairman said the Karsaz tragedy remained an important reminder of the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism. He pledged that the struggle would continue until Pakistan was free from the threat.
PPP Supports Federal Action Against Terrorism
Bilawal said combating terrorism remained a top priority for the PPP. He stated that the party had supported the federal government’s decision to impose governor’s rule in KP.
According to Bilawal, the PPP supported the measure despite its own political interests. He argued that security concerns required political parties to work together.
He maintained that governor’s rule and emergency measures in KP were constitutional. He also said the provincial governor served as the federal government’s constitutional representative.
Bilawal emphasized that politics required compromise and cooperation. He clarified that the PPP was not part of the federal government.
He also urged Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to help resolve the political situation. Bilawal said Fazlur Rehman could play a role in ending governor’s rule through political engagement.
He further urged the JUI-F leader to speak against terrorism. Bilawal noted that members of Fazlur Rehman’s party had also been killed in terrorist attacks.
Bilawal Warns Against Terrorism and Unrest
The PPP chairman said no one should be allowed to undermine Pakistan’s sovereignty or create instability. He stressed that security forces were fighting terrorist groups in different parts of the country.
Bilawal also referred to Pakistan’s past counterterrorism efforts. He claimed the country had achieved results in Afghanistan that other military forces had struggled to accomplish.
He blamed previous decisions to allow militants to return to Pakistan and release detained individuals. According to him, these decisions contributed to the current security challenges.
His remarks highlighted the need for stronger cooperation against terrorism. However, political differences over the situation in KP remain a key part of the debate.
Bilawal Reiterates PPP Position on New Provinces
Bilawal also discussed the creation of new provinces and administrative units. He said Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi was aware of the PPP’s position on the issue.
He questioned why new provinces had not been established despite reported consensus in Gilgit-Baltistan. Bilawal said the process could move forward with provincial approval and compliance with constitutional and legal requirements.
The PPP chairman emphasized that any changes must follow established procedures. His comments placed the question of provincial restructuring alongside the broader political and security debate.
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Overall, Bilawal’s statements focused on counterterrorism cooperation, the constitutional status of emergency measures in KP, and the creation of new provinces. The proposed path forward, he said, requires political engagement and action against terrorism.
