Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has stressed the need for the ‘National Action Plan 2’ to combat terrorism in the country, following terrorist attacks against foreigners, civilians, and armed forces.

“The government never desires for any citizen to lose their life in incidents of unrest. We hope both the federal and provincial governments will play their roles in the national interest,” he said while addressing the party’s gatherings across Pakistan via video link on Saturday. The Sindh-ruling party celebrated its 57th founding anniversary.

The country has seen an increase in militancy since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021, with the Pakistani chapter of the movement carrying out attacks mostly targeting security forces. One of them was a blast at the Quetta Railway Station that killed 27 people.

Earlier this month, seven security personnel were martyred in an exchange of fire with terrorists who attempted to attack a security forces’ post in the general area of Shah-e-Mardan of the Kalat district in Balochistan.

In October, a militant attack killed two Chinese nationals and a Pakistan citizen just outside the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. Moreover, unidentified gunmen killed over 40 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram this month.

Bilawal called for a ‘National Action Plan 2.0’ to collectively combat terrorism and to reach a consensus on the critical issue.

The South Asian country introduced such a plan when the banned terrorist organisation TTP killed 131 children and 10 other people after attacking the Army Public School in Peshawar on December 16, 2014.

He also highlighted the necessity of developing policies to engage with disgruntled individuals and terrorists, asserting that planning is essential to effectively defeat terrorism.

Bilawal was of the view that the country would have to develop policies to engage with disgruntled individuals and terrorists, saying: “Terrorism can only be defeated through planning.”

PPP was divided to make room for PTI: Bilawal

In his speech, Bilawal claimed that the PPP was divided to make room for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

He alleged that efforts were made to distance the PPP from politics, yet the party was fulfilling “significant responsibilities” in both the National Assembly and the Senate. He reiterated that eradicating poverty “is a priority for the PPP, which has always made decisions” considering the welfare of the people and the country.

Bilawal expressed a desire to see peace and increase job opportunities in the nation.

He pointed out that the “biggest issue” facing the country is political instability, asserting that political stability was essential to address terrorism and the economic crisis. But the PPP chief identified the opposition as the “main obstacle” to achieving this stability and accused them of neither being democratic nor politically constructive.

The scion of Bhutto dynasty criticised certain parties for not engaging in politics within the appropriate framework, stating that the attacks on May 9 and events in Islamabad do not fall within the political domain.

Bilawal stressed the need for politicians to engage in constructive political discourse, asserting that it is the government’s responsibility, along with the opposition, to create political stability and effectively govern the state.

PPP chairman urges opposition to adopt democratic approach

Bilawal urged opposition parties to adopt a democratic approach, criticising those engaged in non-political opposition for their unconstructive behaviour. He questioned how non-political opposition could expect to foster a political climate.

He stressed the importance of not exacerbating Pakistan’s existing problems, warning that if the opposition continues its political tactics, it would harm both themselves and the country.

Bilawal emphasised that a positive role from political parties could lead to solutions for pressing issues, asserting that the PPP was committed to “positive politics”.

He was apparently referring to the PTI’s Islamabad march where at least six people, including three Rangers personnel, were killed. Former prime minister Imran Khan’s party has claimed that firing on the third day of protest killed their 12 supporters.

‘Lack of consultation’ from government on governor’s rule

Bilawal further criticised the federal government’s lack of consultation regarding the imposition of the governor’s rule, stating that maintaining peace and order was a fundamental duty of the government.

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Without naming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he condemned the provincial government for allegedly attacking the federal authority. He was of the view that such irresponsible behaviour from a provincial government was “unprecedented” in history. He called for the provincial government to pay attention to public issues, including those in Parachinar.

Bilawal expressed hope that the provincial government would acknowledge its mistakes and shift its focus to the public’s pressing issues, rather than “inciting unrest under the guise of protests.”

Farmers plight

The PPP chief further pointed out that the “economic exploitation” of farmers was equivalent to the economic demise of the populace. He stated that the advancement of agriculture was vital for the country’s growth and pledged to increase national exports through agricultural development.

He warned that there would be a strong public reaction regarding water issues, asserting that unfair distribution of water would exacerbate problems. Bilawal emphasised the significant importance of the IT sector in the country, stating that the future of the world was closely tied to information technology, and urged the government to reconsider its IT policies.