DIAMER: Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has claimed that without President Asif Ali Zardari’s 18th Amendment and the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, no Orange Train or Metro bus service would have operated in any Pakistani city. Addressing an election rally in Diamer, he also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to demonstrate “Shahbaz speed” and complete the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project.
Bilawal alleged that the government of his father, President Asif Zardari, was overthrown in 2013 as part of a conspiracy. “Had that government not been toppled, the Diamer-Bhasha Dam would have been built already,” he said.
Referring to the previous election in Gilgit-Baltistan, Bilawal claimed the PPP received the most votes but had nine seats “snatched” away. “This time, the people will elect a Jayala (PPP loyalist) as Chief Minister,” he asserted, adding that the PPP would also win the general elections after two years.
The PPP Chairman paid tribute to his grandfather Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and mother Benazir Bhutto, calling them voices of the poor. He accused “conspiratorial elements” of martyring Benazir Bhutto, thinking no one would follow her. He credited President Zardari with launching the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), laying the foundation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and renaming the Northern Area to Gilgit-Baltistan.
Bilawal also claimed that the PPP closed foreign military bases in Pakistan after the Musharraf era. Without naming anyone, he referenced “prisoner 420” who used to say “absolutely not,” mocking previous opposition statements.
“The PPP government will be formed after June 7, and we will complete the dam,” Bilawal declared. “I ask the federation to prioritize Diamer-Bhasha Dam – it is Pakistan’s need. Prime Minister Shehbaz, show your speed and complete it.”
Separately, addressing a rally in Hunza, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari said that some people make big claims but then do business behind closed doors. She praised Bilawal for practicing “politics of love, loyalty, and service” rather than hatred and division. Aseefa added that Bilawal is carrying forward the mission of Zulfikar Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, always raising his voice for people’s rights.
