PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has resolved to bring the perpetrators of the May 9 events to justice, saying that ‘political terrorism’ would escalate if the people involved in the violent protests were forgiven.

“We are confronted with political terrorism. The issue will escalate further if we forgive the perpetrator of the May 9 riots,” he said at the party’s rally in Khawzakhela, Swat on Saturday. “All of the perpetrators of the May 9 riots will be brought to justice.”

While referring to the violent protests where state buildings and military installations were attacked, he said that former prime ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto were killed, however, the PPP never resorted to violence and believed that democracy was the “best revenge”.

Bilawal said that the threat of terrorism resurfaced in Swat after the PTI chief allegedly resettled the terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during his stint in the government.

“The terrorists were defeated in the KP after the significant sacrifices of police, army, and the people of Swat. But the PTI government settled the terrorists in KP, who had fled to Afghanistan,” he added.

The people of Swat were witnesses of the PPP’s efforts to bring peace to the country, he claimed, alleging that all other parties remained silent when terrorists were imposed on the people of Swat.

“It was shaheed [martyred] Benazir Bhutto, who said that she will hoist Pakistan’s flag in Swat, which some people wanted to take down,” he said.

Bilawal claimed the PTI had abandoned its loyal and visionary workers and given tickets to abusers and non-serious candidates.

The PPP chairman also touched upon the subject of the budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, saying that the PPP has sent a high-level committee to the prime minister to inform him about the party’s nominal input in the budget.

“The federal government had pledged to match the provincial governments’ funds for the flood victims. Surprisingly, the center has not allocated those funds for the provinces in the budget,” he added.

If the PML-N wants the PPP’s vote for the budget, then it should allocate funds for the flood victims’ reconstruction

“If the PML-N wants the PPP’s vote for the budget, then it should allocate funds for the flood victims’ reconstruction,” he said.

He called for elections to be held on time, saying that PPP was all set for the polls. “We are calling all parties including our allies to go for elections.

“All political parties should be allowed to participate in the polls. Whoever gets elected, will hopefully work for the betterment of the masses.”