PPP will participate in govt-convened APC: Bilawal

QUETTA: Pakistan People’s Party (PP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has confirmed that the PPP will participate in the All Parties Conference (APC) called by the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the law and order situation and the newly launched Azm-e-Istehkam operation.

Addressing a news conference along with Balochistan Chief minister Sarfraz Bugti in Quetta, Bilawal said that the PPP has a clear stance on terrorism, emphasizing the importance of addressing the situation in Balochistan as well.

He said that at the APC he will engage all political forces to improve the law and order situation in the country and achieve consensus on combating terrorism.

Bilawal also mentioned a briefing given to him by the Balochistan chief minister on rural support. He said that their focus is on providing financial support to the women of Balochistan, highlighting that 50 per cent of Pakistan’s population consists of women.

He stressed that women’s participation in the economy is crucial for Pakistan’s economic stability.

He criticised the government for doing away with national institutions and emphasised their efforts to support the poor under green energy initiatives.

He said that a detailed briefing on the law and order situation in Balochistan was also given to him and acknowledged the unique challenges the region faces.

He said that the visit to Balochistan was a success as the Balochistan chief minister provided a detailed briefing about ongoing projects.

“I had the opportunity to meet officials and workers in Balochistan. We aim to provide relief to the people within Balochistan’s limited resources. I am impressed by the chief minister’s scholarship initiative and the representation of women. This scholarship programme can help young people pursue their studies and advance,” he said.

Bilawal said that the PPP has made significant progress in Sindh, and “we also aim to improve the health system in Balochistan as well as the chief minister has increased the province’s health budget.”

He said that in Sindh, “we have upgraded hospitals through public-private partnerships and plan to do the same in Balochistan. Health facilities will be made accessible to the public, and cardiology hospitals will be updated. We aspire to establish an institution in Quetta similar to the NICVD in Karachi, bringing free treatment to people’s doorsteps. Efforts are under way to start work in Quetta in collaboration with NICVD of Sindh,” he said.

Additionally, he said, the Balochistan chief minister is planning to build a hospital in Naseerabad and transform it into a medical university, modeled after the hospital in Gumbat.

He said that Rescue 1122 service will be launched in 10 districts of Balochistan, and a Pink bus service will also be introduced in Quetta.

“The PPP’s manifesto is to provide bread, clothing, and shelter. We consistently strive to benefit the poor. Amid the economic crisis, people’s primary concerns are poverty, inflation, and unemployment. We are focusing on skill development in Balochistan, aiming to provide skills to 30,000 youth over the next two years. We will also support women economically by offering interest-free loans, as we have been doing for poor women in every district of Sindh,” he said.