Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has urged the federal government and opposition parties to put aside political differences and work together to address the country’s growing economic difficulties. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of a 600-bed hospital in Larkana on Friday, Bilawal Bhutto economic challenges emerged as a central theme of his address, with the PPP chairman stressing that public welfare should take priority over political confrontations.
Bilawal said ordinary Pakistanis were struggling to meet their financial needs and that the government should focus on improving their living conditions. He argued that political disputes with opposition parties, religious groups and neighbouring countries could consume the government’s attention while more urgent economic problems remained unresolved.
Bilawal Urges Government to Prioritise Public Welfare
Addressing the gathering, Bilawal said every country’s primary responsibility was to look after its people, particularly during difficult economic circumstances.
He questioned how the government could focus on economic development if it remained occupied with political conflicts involving the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, militant groups and neighbouring countries.
The PPP chairman called on the federal government to engage all stakeholders and avoid unnecessary confrontations. According to him, cooperation between political parties was essential to finding solutions to the economic problems affecting the public.
His remarks highlighted the need for political stability and collective decision-making at a time when households and businesses continue to face financial pressure.
PTI Asked to Join Electoral Reforms Committee
Bilawal also discussed the proposed electoral reforms committee, urging the PTI to participate in the process rather than remain outside negotiations.
He called on opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate to ensure PTI representation in the committee without imposing conditions. He said the party’s representatives had been given full authority by PTI founder Imran Khan to make the relevant decision.
Bilawal revealed that the PPP had already approached opposition leaders and requested them to nominate representatives for the committee.
He acknowledged that opposition parties had previously insisted that Imran Khan should first be released or allowed to meet party leaders before discussions on other matters could proceed. However, he argued that the authority now given to opposition leaders provided an opportunity to move forward.
The PPP chairman said allegations of electoral manipulation had been raised by both the PTI and some government representatives. He suggested that the committee could provide a starting point for addressing these concerns if all sides believed the elections had been manipulated.
Bilawal also claimed that electoral manipulation had been intended to prevent the PPP from achieving success. He maintained that his party had consistently supported electoral reforms under different political governments.
Positive Meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Discussing his recent meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal described the discussions as positive and said both sides had worked together to develop a strategy.
He pointed out that the PPP had supported the approval of federal budgets, while the Centre was now extending assistance for development projects.
However, he highlighted concerns from Balochistan regarding the lack of federal development initiatives in the province. Bilawal said he had suggested that the prime minister hold federal cabinet meetings in different provinces to better understand regional issues and improve coordination.
Such meetings, he suggested, could help provincial governments communicate their concerns directly to the federal leadership.
New 600-Bed Hospital to Strengthen Healthcare in Larkana
A major part of Bilawal’s address focused on healthcare development and the construction of the new 600-bed hospital in Larkana.
He recalled that former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had established Chandka Hospital as a gift for the people. However, the growing number of patients has placed increasing pressure on the institution, making additional healthcare facilities necessary.
Bilawal explained that patients from different parts of Balochistan, particularly Naseerabad and surrounding areas, also travel to Larkana to receive medical treatment.
He recalled that during his first election as a member of the National Assembly, he contacted the medical superintendent of Chandka Medical College to understand the institution’s problems and the challenges faced by its administration.
The PPP chairman said his party wanted to provide internationally standard healthcare services and ensure that financial difficulties did not prevent people from receiving medical treatment.
He emphasised that free healthcare was particularly important under the current economic conditions, when many families struggle to afford medical expenses.
Sindh Government Highlights Education and Healthcare Spending
Bilawal also discussed the Sindh government’s spending priorities, stating that the provincial government was allocating Rs45 billion to higher education.
He said the government was simultaneously working to improve healthcare facilities across Sindh, recognising the importance of accessible medical services during difficult economic circumstances.
The announcement of the new hospital reflects the provincial government’s efforts to expand healthcare infrastructure in Larkana and accommodate patients from neighbouring regions.
Political Cooperation Remains Central to Economic Development
Bilawal’s address brought together several important issues, including economic hardship, political cooperation, electoral reforms and public-sector development.
His appeal to the federal government and opposition parties reflects the PPP’s position that political disagreements should not prevent cooperation on matters affecting ordinary citizens.
The proposed electoral reforms committee could also provide an opportunity for political parties to discuss disputed election-related issues through negotiations.
Bilawal stressed that economic development and public welfare must remain the country’s priorities. Whether political stakeholders can move beyond their differences and work together will be important in determining how effectively Pakistan addresses its economic and development challenges.
