Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the country’s economic situation is extremely critical and the challenges are deepening.
Addressing the PPP’s parliamentary party meeting, he stated that the government cannot pass the budget or any constitutional amendment without PPP’s support, and warned that if the commitments made with his party are not fulfilled, PPP reserves the right to reconsider its decisions.
Bilawal said that said that he remains in contact with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as well as President Asif Ali Zardari, but the government has not yet engaged the PPP regarding any proposed new constitutional amendment.
He clarified that the party will only respond to the 28th Constitutional Amendment once it is formally discussed with them, adding that PPP will not support any amendment without its consent.
Referring to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), he reiterated the party’s longstanding stance that NAB should be shut down.
On the economic situation, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized that the budget must be prepared in line with the country’s difficult conditions.
He said the PPP’s senior committee will present its proposals to the government regarding the budget.
The PPP chief also noted that, given the fragile circumstances, he does not consider it appropriate to raise grievances or complaints about unmet commitments at this stage, and said such matters can be addressed once conditions stabilize.
Discussing the situation in the Middle East and foreign policy, he praised the efforts of the Prime Minister and Field Marshal in working towards easing Iran–US tensions and promoting peace, saying their efforts were commendable and expressing hope for their success, as regional stability is essential for improving Pakistan’s economic situation.
He added that even if an Iran–US agreement is reached, economic challenges would still persist.
Bilawal further said that Pakistan and the PPP have decades-old historical ties with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Iran.
He noted that relations with Saudi Arabia are entering a new phase and any misunderstandings, if they arise, can be easily resolved.
Criticizing the exaggeration of minor issues on social media, he said that in the ongoing information conflict, the UAE has faced more attacks than even Israel after Iran, but maintained that Pakistan’s foreign policy is moving in the right and stable direction.