Bilawal says PPP will protect GB vote, promises fair share and representation

GILGIT: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday said his party would “protect the vote” of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and ensure they were fairly represented, as he addressed a public gathering in Gilgit city ahead of the general election in the region.

Recalling his previous election campaign in GB, Bilawal said he had spent a month in the region, visiting nearly all divisions, districts and tehsils to present the party’s manifesto, adding that PPP had secured the highest number of votes and seats in the last electoral cycle.

“This time I have returned not alone, but with Aseefa Bhutto Zardari,” he said, referring to his sister, adding that the party would jointly work to safeguard the mandate of the people.

He alleged that PPP candidates and leaders had faced administrative hurdles in past elections, asserting that no party aligned with the federal government should receive preferential treatment over others. He also said that PPP would not allow “any injustice” against the party in the region.

Turning to regional and global issues, Bilawal said the Muslim world was going through a difficult phase, referring to the situations in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. He said such circumstances required GB voters to carefully decide who should represent them in the future.

“The people of GB must decide who can best represent them in these challenging times,” he said, adding that PPP had maintained a “generational relationship” with the region.

He said it was important for the voice of Gilgit-Baltistan to reach Islamabad and the wider world, adding that former president Asif Ali Zardari was best positioned to amplify that voice.

Referring to Pakistan’s defence capability, Bilawal said the country was safe because of its nuclear deterrence, calling it a “gift” to the nation’s security. He also reiterated remarks attributed to former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, saying he had laid the foundation of Pakistan’s nuclear programme.

He further said former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had contributed to the country’s missile technology development, which he said was essential for nuclear deterrence.

On energy cooperation, Bilawal termed the Iran–Pakistan gas pipeline project important, saying it was initiated under PPP leadership. He added that decisions taken during Asif Ali Zardari’s tenure had strengthened Pakistan’s sovereignty and foreign policy posture.

Bilawal also said PPP had taken steps to ensure that Pakistan’s territory was not used by any foreign powers against other countries, adding that such policies were part of efforts to maintain regional peace.

Expressing support for peace initiatives, he said efforts for regional stability should succeed, reiterating PPP’s stance as a “peace-loving party.”

Outlining his party’s manifesto for GB, Bilawal said PPP was working on three key principles, including securing “right of governance” for the people of the region. He said PPP had been struggling for this goal across three generations, beginning with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s policies and continuing through Benazir Bhutto’s political struggle.

He said the 2008 federal government under PPP had granted identity and administrative recognition to GB. He also claimed that political rights introduced under Benazir Bhutto’s leadership had enabled all political parties to participate in elections.

Bilawal said PPP had consistently focused on economic policies aimed at benefiting farmers, labourers and youth, contrasting it with other political parties, which he alleged widened the gap between the rich and the poor.

“Our focus has always been on the poor, because if the poor are uplifted, the entire country progresses,” he said, quoting Benazir Bhutto as saying she would continue creating employment opportunities even if it was called a crime.

He said PPP’s “right to employment” agenda would be extended to GB and vowed continued struggle for political and constitutional rights of the region.

Bilawal said PPP’s past governance in the region had brought improvements and development, adding that the party aimed to revive that progress in the future.