Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari delivered a powerful address on Friday, commemorating the 18th martyrdom anniversary of his mother, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. Speaking before a large public gathering at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, Bilawal framed the event as a national rebuke to terrorism and a reaffirmation of his mother's enduring legacy.
A Nation's Tribute and a Political Message
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that the significant turnout from all four provinces of Pakistan served as a powerful response to terrorism and the assassins of Benazir Bhutto. He emphasized that the gathering sent a clear message to the world: Benazir Bhutto continues to live in the hearts of her countless supporters. Reflecting on the passage of 18 years since her martyrdom, the PPP Chairman connected the sacrifices associated with Garhi Khuda Bakhsh to Pakistan's strategic achievements, notably its rise as a nuclear power.
Praising Zardari and Recalling Key Achievements
In a notable moment, Bilawal bestowed the title of "king of reconciliation" upon former President Asif Ali Zardari. He credited Zardari for his pivotal role in fostering political harmony. Bilawal also highlighted key milestones linked to the PPP's tenure, including the foundational work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which he said further cemented strategic ties with China. He pointed to Pakistan's victory against India in May as a triumph celebrated by the entire nation and acknowledged globally.
Addressing the country's current predicaments, the PPP Chairman acknowledged serious political and financial challenges. He stressed that his party considers federal issues as its own and remains dedicated to public relief. Bilawal listed several PPP-led initiatives as evidence of this commitment, including:
- The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)
- Expansion of free healthcare services
- Housing schemes for underprivileged women in Sindh
- Agricultural reform measures
A Call for Reconciliation and Democratic Politics
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari concluded his address by reiterating what he termed Benazir Bhutto's final message: the critical need for political reconciliation. He argued that to overcome national crises, political extremism must be firmly rejected. The PPP Chairman urged all political stakeholders to confine their politics within democratic boundaries and to prioritize the broader national interest in their actions and discourse.
The rally at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, therefore, served a dual purpose: a solemn remembrance of a slain leader and a platform to articulate the PPP's current political stance, championing reconciliation and public welfare as the nation's way forward.
