Imposition of Emergency in KP Impossible Without President Zardari’s Signature: Bilawal Bhutto
KARACHI – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was not possible without President Asif Ali Zardari’s signature, and that the PPP has always imposed emergency through constitutional and legal means. He said Maulana Fazlur Rahman, as opposition leader, has the right to politically criticize them, but he should also speak openly against terrorism.
Addressing a ceremony marking the 19th anniversary of the Karsaz tragedy, Bilawal paid tribute to the martyrs and said October 18 is a black day in the country’s history, when an attempt was made to target Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto through terrorism upon her return to the homeland. Workers participating in the reception procession sacrificed their lives to protect their leader.
He said the sacrifices of the Karsaz martyrs are testimony to the fact that terrorism, extremism and violence cannot shake the resolve for democracy. He said PPP workers consider the struggle against terrorism their responsibility. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had also pointed out in her last rally that certain forces did not want to see Pakistan’s authority in Swat.
After forming government in 2008, the PPP launched operations against terrorists in Swat and fulfilled Benazir Bhutto’s promise. As a result of the struggle against terrorism, the terrorists were defeated. Bilawal said Pakistan is today paying the price for past decisions to release terrorists from prisons. The country is once again facing a situation where certain forces want to take down Pakistan’s flag from Swat.
Terrorism is being confronted from Khyber to Khuzdar. Criticizing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, he said the CM is not ready to defend his own soil but is ready to compete with the PPP. He said evidence of the Karsaz tragedy was erased, while the PPP continued to fight terrorists. Now the entire society stands against terrorism and every citizen of Pakistan is playing their role in this war.
He said efforts to establish a peaceful environment in the country are ongoing, however it cannot yet be said that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s dream has been fully realized. Emphasizing the importance of political reconciliation, the PPP chairman said that during the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy, the party struggled together even with parties that had opposed Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto adopted the path of reconciliation for democracy and political compromises had to be made to form government in 1988. He said the 18th Constitutional Amendment was passed through consensus and negotiations among all parties. In politics, it is necessary to find an acceptable path through mutual consultation, while implementation of the manifesto and providing relief to the people on basic issues is also important.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the PPP’s position is clear that provinces can be formed through constitutional and legal means. Mohsin Naqvi is aware of President Asif Ali Zardari’s and the PPP’s policy. If the matter of new provinces is not merely political rhetoric, then why are provinces not being created where consensus exists? Progress should also be made in Gilgit in this regard. He said Maulana Fazlur Rahman has the right to criticize the government, but members of his party have also been martyred in terrorist attacks.
In such circumstances, he should have adopted a clear stance against terrorism. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said politics should not be done over terrorist incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rather joint efforts should be made to eliminate terrorism.
