Iran-US agreement a victory for peace, says Bilawal Bhutto

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that Pakistan knows the cost of war very well, and a new ray of hope has emerged for the whole world following the Iran-US agreement.

Bilawal Bhutto, while speaking on the budget debate, said that “I pay tribute to President Asif Ali Zardari, Field Marshal and Prime Minister, for their role in the Iran-US agreement.

Bilawal Bhutto said that the region has not yet become completely peaceful, and statements and threats like “Sindoor II” are being made by India.

He said that external forces are sponsoring terrorism in the region, due to which the security situation is becoming more complicated.

Bilawal Urges Protesters Not to Harm the Kashmir cause

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said regarding Kashmir that the issue should be decided only by the Kashmiri people and neither can the seats be abolished at the force of the gun, nor the rights of the people can be taken away. He urged the protesters not to harm the Kashmir cause and its identity.

He said that he wants to see Azad Kashmir as an independent region and not an occupied one, and the people there should also get rights on the model of Gilgit-Baltistan.

According to him, the representative of Muzaffarabad should get effective representation at the national level, and in the interim, he can be given appropriate political status.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the Pakistan Peoples Party is of the opinion that the issue of refugee seats should be resolved in such a way that each party is given representation in proportion to its electoral seats so that no one is treated unfairly.

He said that the continuous protests in Azad Kashmir are harmful to the stability of the region, and the problems should be resolved through political dialogue.

He said that his party will participate fully in the upcoming elections and form the government with the trust of the people.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari further said that Pakistan’s position is clear that the solution to the Kashmir issue is possible only through a referendum, and till then, the voice of the Kashmiri people should be highlighted at all levels.

He said that Pakistan will not allow any Indian conspiracy to succeed, and every challenge will be faced with national unity.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the Issue of Azad Kashmir

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that there should be no two opinions on the issue of Azad Kashmir, and if someone takes the law into their hands, action against them is necessary. He said that whoever conspires against the state and institutions will be stopped.

He added that after the Iran-US agreement, India and Israel may intensify their efforts to harm Pakistan, and efforts are also being made to weaken the cause of Kashmir. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made it clear that his party will never allow the cause of Kashmir to be harmed.

He said that some elements are prolonging the protests, but now it is time to end this series. According to him, those with whom the issues have been settled should now take the path through elections for further demands.

He said that the government has always kept the door open for negotiations, but now it is necessary that the protesters go back peacefully, and those who have taken the law into their own hands should be handed over to the police.

According to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, if the protest ends peacefully, then notification of restrictions can also be considered.

He said that this protest should end unconditionally. Talking about the issue of refugee seats, he said that it is a big dispute; however, no one can be allowed to change constitutional decisions through force or pressure.

He said that the decisions on the seats of Balochistan or any province should be made only at the relevant constitutional and electoral forums, and the seats of Kashmir will also be decided by the Kashmiri people themselves.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the decision on refugee seats cannot be made through gunpoint or threats, nor can the constitution be allowed to be changed through protests or sit-ins. Refugee seats have become a big controversy. General Faiz formed the PTI government in Azad Kashmir by taking refugee seats.

Federal and Provincial Governments have Decided to Jointly Shoulder Defense Responsibilities: Bilawal

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the federal and provincial governments have decided to jointly shoulder defense responsibilities, which has been done within the framework of the constitution.

He clarified that during the budget, unverified rumors were spread in the media regarding the abolition of the 18th Amendment and the Benazir Income Support Program, which are false.

He said that he is grateful to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and Finance Minister for finding a democratic solution through political consensus.

According to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, it has been agreed with the government that everyone will contribute to national defense, while the federal government has assured that the NFC award will be preserved and no further financial demands will be made from the provinces after the interim strategy for the next two to three years.

He said that the real strength of nations is not weapons but national unity, and it is a good thing that Pakistan has demonstrated national unity on this occasion. He said that if we move forward with this spirit, most of the country’s problems can be solved.

He further said that the perception in the country has been made that the provinces have more resources and the federation has less, which is wrong; in reality, there is financial pressure at both levels.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the 18th Constitutional Amendment is a great success, but despite this, some provinces have not been able to get their full financial share.

Petroleum Levy

On the issue of the petroleum levy, he said that it remains with the federation, and the provinces are not given a share in it.

Similarly, during the IMF program, the provinces are asked to show a surplus budget every year, under which a surplus has been shown in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.

Referring to the merger of the former FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said that the promises made there have not yet been fulfilled, while some tax incentives are also being abolished.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that some countries have negative intentions against Pakistan, but all provinces are playing their role for national defense, and some provincial governments have also contributed to federal financial cooperation.

The Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Tel Aviv before the tension between Iran and the US, and when Iran was attacked, some organizations were welcoming the move.

According to him, there have been some activities and groups in Balochistan about which there are concerns.

Bilawal Bhutto Warns Indian PM

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tries to stop Pakistan’s water, Pakistan is ready to give a befitting reply. Pakistan is capable of confronting any aggression and there will be no compromise on national defense.