KARACHI (Nazrana Times): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari pledged to continue the fight against terrorism and defended governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying political parties should support counterterrorism efforts without turning them into a partisan dispute.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Karsaz Memorial, Bilawal said eliminating terrorism was Benazir Bhutto’s mission and remained a priority for the PPP. He also called for cooperation on Pakistan’s economic difficulties, a new National Action Plan and electoral reforms.

According to a statement issued by Media Cell Bilawal House, Bilawal and Pakistan’s First Lady, Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, laid flowers at the memorial and offered prayers for those killed.

Bilawal recalls workers’ sacrifices at Karsaz

Bilawal described the October 18, 2007 attack on Benazir Bhutto’s homecoming procession as the largest terrorist attack in Pakistan’s history, saying it affected more people than any other such incident.

He recalled that after the first explosion, party workers stayed at the scene and formed a human shield around her vehicle. Many were killed when the second explosion struck, he said.

Bilawal said PPP workers considered resisting terrorism a duty. Recalling Benazir Bhutto’s last public rally, he said she had promised that Pakistan’s flag would continue to fly in Swat despite threats from militants.

He said the PPP-led government fulfilled that promise after taking office in 2008 by launching an operation against terrorists in Swat and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Earlier decisions blamed for renewed violence

Bilawal said Pakistan had defeated terrorists after considerable sacrifices, achieving what he argued foreign armies had failed to accomplish in Afghanistan.

He alleged that after foreign forces withdrew from Afghanistan and a new administration took power in Kabul, Pakistan’s government at the time allowed Afghanistan-based militants to resettle in Swat and the former tribal areas. He also alleged that imprisoned terrorists were released.

Pakistan was now facing the consequences of those decisions, he said, pointing to renewed violence from Khyber to Khuzdar and threats in Swat.

Bilawal paid tribute to the armed forces and police, saying security personnel and civilians were both being targeted in terrorist attacks.

PPP chief defends governor’s rule in KP

Bilawal accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister of publicly refusing to fight terrorists. He said that refusal was why the PPP supported the government’s decision to impose emergency measures.

He stated that governor’s rule was in force in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said his party was prepared to work with others to confront terrorism and prevent rebellion against Pakistan.

Bilawal said the PPP had imposed emergency rule only through constitutional and legal means. He cited the imposition of governor’s rule in Balochistan during the party’s 2008–2013 federal government, saying it had acted against its own provincial administration because of the terrorism situation.

He argued that removing its own government demonstrated that the PPP placed the fight against terrorism above party interests.

Call for cooperation on economy and electoral reforms

Recalling expectations surrounding Benazir Bhutto’s return in 2007, Bilawal said people had trusted her to create jobs, address basic problems and ease economic hardship.

He said her death had placed a greater responsibility on the PPP to address employment, economic difficulties and terrorism. He maintained that the party’s government had focused on those issues between 2008 and 2013.

Bilawal acknowledged that Pakistan needed improvement in economic management, counterterrorism and democratic practices. He described the economic crisis as historic and warned that conditions appeared likely to worsen.

He said the PPP was working to draft a new National Action Plan and build a fresh political consensus against terrorism.

According to Bilawal, the federal government had agreed to establish a committee on electoral reforms. He invited the opposition to participate and said those seeking an end to emergency measures and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should engage with the federal government.

Kundi represents federal government, says Bilawal

Responding to questions, Bilawal said Faisal Karim Kundi had been nominated for the governorship by the PPP but now constitutionally represented the federal government and reported to it.

He said he would continue speaking with Kundi and offering advice, while acknowledging that the governor was working with the federal administration.

On political compromise, Bilawal said the party was trying to realise Benazir Bhutto’s vision for Pakistan. He said compromise was part of politics and that she had sometimes accepted it while prioritising the country, its people and party workers.

Position on new provinces and opposition criticism

Asked about new provinces, Bilawal said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi understood the PPP’s and President Asif Ali Zardari’s position. He added that the process could not proceed without the president’s signature.

Bilawal said the Constitution provided a procedure for creating new provinces with the agreement of the relevant provincial assembly. He argued that proposals backed by consensus should move forward, provided they were not political manoeuvres or driven by other motives.

He cited Gilgit-Baltistan as a place where, in his view, there was consensus and no disagreement over the issue.

Bilawal said Maulana Fazlur Rehman had the right to criticise government policies and that political disagreement must have space in Pakistan. However, he urged him to condemn terrorists as well, noting that his party had also suffered deadly attacks.

He appealed to all political parties to avoid politicising terrorism or making counterterrorism measures controversial. Bilawal said Fazlur Rehman could help build understanding between the government and opposition.

PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers, assembly members, local government representatives, party officials and a large number of workers also attended the memorial visit.