Islamabad: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in his address at the National Assembly today said that we bow our heads before Almighty Allah who has blessed Pakistan with a military, diplomatic and narrative victory over India. 

 

Chairman PPP said that after decades of pushing the same lie that Iran is days away from developing nuclear weapons, a claim that the Israeli Prime Minister made in 1996, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2023, 2024 and in 2025. At last, Israel’s regime attacked Iran under the pretext of this lie. We condemn the attack on Iran. Iran’s sovereignty was violated in violation of international law. Military leadership of Iran was targeted not on the frontlines or the battlefield, but while they slept in their homes in apartment buildings, resulting in the loss of not only their lives but the loss of lives of innocent civilians. Not only military personnel, but scientists, journalists and media institutions have been targeted. 

 

Chairman Bilawal said that the most egregious attack is that in violation of international law on nuclear facilities. Any attack on nuclear facilities is not just a potential attack on Iran, if there is any leakage, it would have consequences for all neighbouring countries in the region including Pakistan. Yesterday, the United States conducted a more expansive attack on Iran’s nuclear sites and the Israeli government is forcing the US public into a war that the people do not support. This is done through the same lie that was peddled before the American public before the Iraq war in 2003. Now, it has been claimed that Iran is the one with weapons of mass destruction. We strongly and vociferously condemn the US strikes. 

 

Chairman Bilawal in his speech called on the government to mobilise the Foreign Minister who should try and create a group of like-minded foreign ministers who not only oppose this conflict but whose people are at risk. We must emphasise that an attack on nuclear facilities cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. Quoting a poem written in the context of World War II, Chairman Bilawal said “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out.” Since October 2023, we have seen a genocidal, apartheid-imposing expansionist regime conducting ever expanding war which has the potential to drag us all into World War III. This time, first they came for the Palestinians but the world did not speak out, because they weren’t Palestinian. Then they came for the Lebanese, but we did not speak out because we were not Lebanese. Then they came for the Yemenis but we did not speak out, because we are not from Yemen. Now, they have come for Iran. If we do not speak out, there will be no one left when they come for us, Chairman Bilawal said. The Israeli regime’s aggression across the region must be stopped, we want to see the day when we can all live in peace. We can only start working towards that peace if the Netanyahu regime is stopped from its illegal war with Iran, forced to abide by the terms of its withdrawal and ceasefire in Lebanon and end its apartheid and genocide in Palestinian lands. As it continues to bomb Iran, the world must not forget that this Israeli Netanyahu regime is carrying out forced starvation of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. 

 

Chairman Bilawal said that in our region too, we have a cheaper copy of Netanyahu. We can say with pride that this cheaper version was defeated militarily, diplomatically and in terms of narrative. The PM and President of Pakistan had entrusted our committee with a vital responsibility, and we can proudly say that we presented Pakistan’s stance and narrative wherever we went. The representatives of the cheaper copy too presented their stance. Our narrative was of peace, we had already won the war, downed six of their jets. Our perspective was that despite the ceasefire, as long as there is a lack of sustainable peace in the region, the people of Pakistan and India will not benefit. We raised our voices for three main issues, first and foremost being the Kashmir cause. We relayed the hopes and rights of the people of Kashmir as per the UN Resolution. Chairman Bilawal said that when India violated the rights of Kashmir in 2019, the PM of Pakistan at the time expressed helplessness. This time, when Kashmir was attacked, and Pakistan was attacked, we did not bow or succumb to fear; we fought a war and won. When the previous government’s reaction to India’s violation was renaming the Kashmir Highway to ‘Srinagar Highway’, this government responded by downing six jets and compelling the other side to a ceasefire. After Imran Khan’s regime, India had gotten the confidence to proclaim Kashmir as their ‘internal’ matter, but global observers are now agreeing to Kashmir being an international issue. The biggest success is that the Kashmir cause, which had been reduced to an internal matter, was again made into an international issue. Be it the United Nations or the President of the United States, all parties want mediation as this is an ‘international issue’. Even India has now retracted from its earlier stance on Kashmir being an internal issue. There is sympathy regarding Kashmir, be it in the UN, US or the EU, because the world is witnessing that Modi tried following the footsteps of Israel’s treatment meted out to Palestinians in Kashmir. We hope that we will continue this struggle and the people of Kashmir will attain justice. 

 

Chairman PPP said that the second biggest issue of concern is the attack on the Indus. India, after this terrorism, has said that the Indus Water Treaty is no longer to be followed. They are holding the Treaty in abeyance. This is illegal, because the Treaty even today is binding on India and Pakistan. However, the mere threat of stopping the flow of water to Pakistan is a violation of the UN Charter and is illegal. India cannot do this. If India decides to implement this threat, we would have to fight another war. The PM and the NSC have already stated that if the flow of water is stopped, then we would have to fight. We know that our military and Air Force are capable of achieving victory in the next war, just as they did in the last one. Chairman Bilawal said that India has only two options, it can either abide by the Indus Water Treaty, but if it decides to build canals and dams, then it should be prepared to give up all six rivers. 

 

Chairman Bilawal said that the third biggest issue was terrorism. India made attempts to justify its attack on Pakistan by using terrorism as an excuse. We can proudly assert that India has lost even on this front. India’s efforts were dedicated to getting Pakistan declared as a ‘terrorist state’. They wanted Pakistan to be called ‘Terroriststan’. They were hoping for FATF, GSP Plus and all other forums to see Pakistan with this lens, to the extent that they tried erecting hurdles in the way of Pakistan getting its IMF package. However, Pakistan won on every front. A political party in the past tried harming Pakistan’s IMF programme, they were unsuccessful. This time, it was India making the futile effort and losing. 

 

Chairman PPP praised the Foreign Office and diplomats of Pakistan. He said that the United Nations, upon their departure, decided to appoint Pakistan as the head of committees on issues such as terrorism and the Taliban. Even in the UN, Pakistan has won and India has lost. Chairman Bilawal said that the Pakistani delegation reached Washington DC, where the biggest lobby after the Israelis is the Indian lobby. These two lobbies did their best to harm Pakistan and get support for India’s narrative from the White House, State Department, Congress, or think tanks, which they were unable to do. 

 

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that a prominent figure of the US military, in an address to a congressional committee said that “Pakistan has been a phenomenal partner in combating terrorism.” When the State Department’s representative was asked about President Trump’s willingness to mediate between Pakistan and India for the Kashmir cause, the answer was an affirmative one. This too is India’s defeat and our triumph. 

 

Chairman PPP said that our Field Marshall, Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir was invited for a lunch by President Trump at the White House. Is a defeated army ever extended such an invitation? The answer is no. This was a congratulatory lunch to the head of the military that defied the entire world’s expectations, by defeating a country seven times larger in size and significantly bigger economically. President Trump’s remarks on the meeting are a testimony of this. 

 

Chairman Bilawal said that we realise that the eradication of terrorism would not be possible if Pakistan and India do not talk. India is trying to use terrorism for political gains and harm Pakistan. During our trips to the UK and EU, we learned that India had been trying its utmost to send Pakistan to the FATF grey list. Chairman PPP congratulated the PM and the Foreign Office for defeating India on this front too. He further said that as far as the ceasefire is concerned, it is insufficient for youngsters in Pakistan and those in India. It is crucial for this region that peace is established between Pakistan and India. Modi is trying to set a new normal, which is blaming and attacking Pakistan for any terrorist activity that takes place inside India. If the same precedent is set in Pakistan, as it faces terrorist attacks more frequently which are backed by Indian funding, then both the countries leave their fate in the hands of terrorists. This could be Modi’s decision, but not ours. When we talk of peace, we are not only fighting our case but also that of the people of India. War, terrorism and abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty may be in Modi’s favour, but Pakistani and Indian people can only benefit from peace. We have been fighting on Kashmir and terrorism for generations. Now, they are imposing another fight on us, the fight on water, which is unacceptable. Chairman Bilawal said that the Pakistan’s government policy has strengthened us, and no one can refute us when we talk of peace before the world. It is possible for us to engage the world and compel India to let go of its redundant policies and head towards peace. 

 

Chairman Bilawal said that there is another front on which the people of Pakistan have been fighting, and that is the economic front. The people of Pakistan have been suffering from historic inflation, poverty and unemployment. There have been improvements as a result of the government’s policies and decisions. We welcome and appreciate the decreased pace of inflation. A budget is just not columns and numbers, it is also a statement of national resolve and vision. While the budget may not be perfect, it has incorporated some if not all of the Pakistan Peoples Party’s input, and my party will be supporting the federal budget. Last year, the PPP was not timely consulted, and this time we would like to thank the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Foreign Minister for engaging and consulting with the PPP this time around. In line with our consultations, there are some positive aspects of the budget which are to be appreciated. Chairman Bilawal said that the defense budget has been increased by twenty percent. In an ideal world, this could have been done so by reducing non-combat defense spending. However, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures as India continues to reiterate that this is a ‘pause’ and not a ceasefire. In such a situation, Pakistan needs to prepare accordingly. Chairman Bilawal appreciated and welcomed the twenty percent increase in the Benazir Income Support Programme. This is a clear message that as we strengthen ourselves against threats, we are also empowering the impoverished masses and those most vulnerable economically. 

 

Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP always supports the working class and labourers. We have been supportive of taxing the rich and reducing the burden on labourers. During its 2008-2013 tenure, the PPP made historic increases in the salaries and pensions of people. Earlier, for the salaried class, the lower end bracket for which no tax was to be paid was 0.6 million rupees. In this budget, the government has increased it to 1 million rupees. This is a historic relief for the salaried class in Pakistan, and we are grateful to the PM and Finance Minister for taking this step. We were hoping for increased salaries and pensions, but the 10 percent increase in salaries and 7 percent increase in pensions is at least a positive gesture to the working people of Pakistan. 

 

Chairman PPP said that the PPP had certain aspirations which it wanted to achieve in this budget, but they could not be made possible. He said that during the consultations with the government, the PPP had desired for South Punjab to get its 30 percent share from the PSDP. While this was not possible in the current round of negotiations, we were assured that the next budget would allow us to bridge this discrepancy. Another objective of the PPP was for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to be supported through federal funding, as they are most vulnerable to terrorism. We need to devise a strategy to defeat terrorists but also win the hearts and minds of the people that feel deprived and dispossessed. When India is investing in terrorists in KP and Balochistan, we too need to think of ways to use our resources and support our people. 

 

Chairman Bilawal, expressing disappointment said that agriculture is the backbone of our economy but the government’s policies are impairing it. We would have to invest extraordinarily in the agriculture sector for food security and prosperity. The federal government, using the IMF as a shield, compelled all provincial governments to take steps pertaining to the agriculture sector that have been criticised both in private and in public. Instead of expanding collection of agriculture tax, it has been hiked to the extent that all it entails is harm. We will try to compel the government to review this. We were also compelled to not set a support price or procure from our farmers. Where should the farmers go? At this point, we cannot justify the losses we have incurred as a result of our own policies on the agricultural front. As a result of these decisions, we have sustained 800 billion rupees of damage when it comes to the wheat crop. The total wheat loss for the farmers of Sindh has been 150 billion rupees, with 24 billion rupees lost for the farmers of Larkana, 26 billion for Sukkur, 30 billion lost for Shaheed Benazirabad, 22 billion lost for Hyderabad, 10 billion for Mirpurkhas, 12 lost for Karachi and 4 for Sajawal and Thatta. The loss for the farmers of Punjab is 622 billion rupees, with 109 billion lost for Bahawalpur alone, 88 billion for DG Khan, 29 billion for Multan, 38 billion for Sahiwal, 79 billion for Faisalabad, 58 billion rupees lost for Sargodha, 28 billion rupees lost for Rawalpindi, 46 billion rupees lost for Gujrat, 42 billion for Gujranwala and 57 billion for Lahore. We are answerable to farmers, and they are being killed economically. 

 

Chairman PPP said that he calls for an agriculture emergency to be declared, and for the government to support the efforts of the provincial governments in helping the farmers. During President Zardari’s tenure, through support prices, we had turned Pakistan from a food-insecure nation, from a country importing wheat, sugar and rice, to a wheat, sugar and rice exporting country within a year. 

 

Chairman Bilawal said that there were differences even after the consultations with the government. He thanked the PM Sharif, Ishaq Dar and the Finance Minister for heeding PPP’s concerns. The PPP had reservations regarding the government’s proposal for digital tax on goods and services. We are grateful to the government for doing away with this, because if this had been imposed, it would be unconstitutional. The government has stepped back and this will now be left to the provinces. The government had decided to impose a 20 percent tax on solar energy, and the PPP had strong reservations regarding this. People from our constituencies face 16 to 20 hours of load-shedding, and we are grateful to the government for reducing the tax by half, and it now stands at 10 percent. We hope that this tax would be reduced further to increase green energy sources. We are aware that there are lobbies that want us to continue relying on foreign hydrocarbons but Pakistan would have to resist this. We are grateful that the government has brought the solar tax down by 50 percent after consultations with the PPP. Moreover, the Planning Department suddenly reduced Sindh’s Higher Education budget by 50 percent. However, we are grateful to PM Sharif, Ishaq Dar and the Finance Minister for taking back this decision. 

 

Chairman PPP said that this is the difference between positive and negative politics. We could do opposition for opposition’s sake, or oppose for a cause. The PPP, despite not being in the cabinet, realises that it represents the people and has to achieve the objectives of the people through engaging with the government politically and democratically. Through this strategy, we can say that we support the government’s budget. Chairman Bilawal said that the Opposition can follow suit, and adopt a similar strategy to talk to the government and us to make positive proposals, so that the positive impacts can be felt by the very people who have elected us, especially the people of KP. Chairman Bilawal said that a change in strategy cannot only benefit the PTI, but the whole country. The Opposition is not interested in any issue, be it terrorism, agriculture, or war with India. Their sole demand is for the ‘prisoner’ to be released. 

 

Chairman Bilawal said that defending ourselves against India’s threat to the Indus Water Treaty is every Pakistani’s responsibility. He appealed to the government to ensure that Pakistan’s case regarding the Indus Water Treaty is strengthened, not made weak. It is imperative that we do not give the impression that Pakistan is taking this threat lightly. We should not only protest at the appropriate forums but challenge them through the Indus Water Treaty. We should not send any such message from within Pakistan which suggests we are conforming to India’s threat. Just like there is a lobby in Pakistan which believes that the solution to every problem is releasing the ‘prisoner’, there is another that believes that the solution is building dams. We believe that dams may be made on financial, political and technically viable grounds, but if the lobby in Pakistan wants us to mimic their echo, then it amounts to admitting defeat before the fight. We support the government’s approved dams that are not controversial and technically sound, and advise the government to not announce any projects that may weaken our case against Indian threats. We have to head from flood irrigation to smart irrigation. Pakistan has the largest irrigation network after Russia, and we have been following the flood irrigation strategy since the Indus Valley Civilisation. Regardless of the Indian threats, we are facing water scarcity. In a world where every drop of water is being counted, it makes no sense that Pakistan continues to stress on flood irrigation. If we invest today, we can turn the tide around. We are happy to provide our share of funding, and the government should consult the provincial governments on this, Chairman PPP said. Chairman Bilawal extended his gratitude to PM Sharif and his team, and said that Pakistan has absolutely defeated India on every front.