Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has criticised what he termed “political puppets”, alleging they were willing to compromise the country’s nuclear assets.

“Imran Khan is merely an excuse; the real target is the nuclear programme,” he said while addressing the party supporters at a rally in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on the 17th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

The PPP chief’s comments came a day after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that an international campaign was being run to free jailed former prime minister Imran Khan at the stake of nuclear assets.

He did not substantiate his claims in a post on X, erstwhile Twitter. Statements related to the South Asian country’s nuclear missiles have been made in the past.

Last week, the US imposed additional sanctions on four Pakistan-based entities for their alleged involvement in the country’s ballistic missile programme.

Not just that, a senior White House official accused the country of developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that could eventually allow it to strike targets outside of South Asia, including in the United States.

Bilawal stressed the need for setting aside political differences and focusing on defending Pakistan in the face of an “international conspiracy” against the nation.

He noted that “adversaries of Pakistan” view the missile technology legacy left by former prime ministers Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto with “envy,” expressing a desire to prevent any Muslim country from possessing such capabilities. He warned that such adversaries seek to undermine Pakistan’s strength under various pretexts.

While addressing concerns over US restrictions on Pakistan’s missile technology, Bilawal stated that there would be no compromises on the country’s nuclear assets or missile programme under the PPP’s leadership.

He criticised foreign nations for commenting on the country’s internal politics, stating that such statements were “merely excuses” and that “there is no genuine concern” for Pakistan’s democracy. He reiterated that Khan was merely a pretext, with the “true target” being Pakistan’s atomic programme and missile technology.

Bilawal called on Khan to clarify why those who regularly express support for him are the same individuals opposed to Pakistan’s nuclear programme. He urged the cricketer-turned-politician to explain why such voices, previously vocal in support of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder, were now speaking out.

He questioned whether such people were not the same individuals who once raised the “loudest calls for the Israeli government and are now doing so for Khan.” The PTI, he insisted, must condemn such statements and provide clear explanations.

Bilawal added that if those commenting on atomic policy and power were indeed supporting Khan, it would create an impression that a “specific lobby” desires a government in Pakistan “willing to compromise on everything to gain power.” He vowed that the PPP and its supporters would thwart any such attempts.

‘Upcoming challenges’

In his speech, Bilawal warned the leaders of “upcoming challenges” for Pakistan on the international front.

Bilawal noted that his mother championed the rights of farmers and labourers, stating, “She fought for 30 years and was martyred, never bowing to any dictator.” He emphasised that those responsible for her assassination mistakenly believed that her absence would silence the true voices of the nation and leave only “political puppets” in power.

He criticised such individuals for prioritising personal ambitions over national interests, stressing that their only desire was to occupy seats of power in Islamabad without regard for the country’s welfare.

The PPP chairman urged all political parties must unite to tackle such issues.

“No single political party possesses the mandate or strength to address all of the country’s problems at once. The PPP is the only party in the current political landscape that is neither selected nor tied to Form 47.”

Bilawal asserted that the party was accountable to the people of the country and the party’s supporters.