Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari revealed on Friday that the federal government was prepared to impose governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), but the PPP urged the Centre to consider it only as a last resort. Speaking at a ceremony in Karachi after inaugurating a sports complex, Bilawal emphasized that his party neither desired governor’s rule nor an emergency in the province, advocating instead for resolving political disputes through negotiations.
He highlighted the ongoing situation in KP, accusing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government of prioritizing confrontational politics over public welfare. Bilawal stated that if the KP governor had formally requested it, governor’s rule would have already been imposed. However, the PPP encouraged stakeholders to pursue dialogue rather than rushing into such a decision.
“Had the PPP adopted the same confrontational politics as the PTI, hasty decisions might have been made,” he remarked, reiterating the party’s opposition to emergency measures in the province. Nonetheless, he warned that if governor’s rule were imposed in the future, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi would bear responsibility, accusing him of obstructing negotiations and questioning why he would want to destabilize his own government.
These comments come amid escalating political tensions between the federal government and KP, as PTI pushes forward with its long march towards Islamabad following deadlocks over security and counterterrorism policies.
Bilawal urged the PTI to abandon extremist and confrontational politics, which he said were harming both the party and the country. He called on PTI leaders to adopt democratic practices to safeguard their provincial government, stating, “The PTI’s allies should embrace democracy and reject extremism to preserve their administration.”
Expressing hope that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s mediation efforts would succeed, Bilawal stressed the importance of reaching an agreement before the situation worsens and governor’s rule becomes inevitable. He urged the KP chief minister to demonstrate sincerity by ending confrontational tactics.
Drawing a parallel with former President Asif Ali Zardari’s 14 years in prison, Bilawal warned that PTI founder Imran Khan could face a prolonged incarceration if his party continued its current political approach. He encouraged PTI to channel its political support into democratic engagement rather than strategies that risk further isolation.
On electoral reforms, Bilawal announced that opposition parties and the federal government had agreed to form a parliamentary committee to address electoral concerns. He emphasized the PPP’s commitment to free and fair elections and questioned how the PTI could prevent alleged rigging if it refused to participate in the committee. He urged all political parties to collaborate in strengthening the electoral system instead of deepening divisions through disputes.
Regarding Karachi, Bilawal recalled the city’s violent past and the heavy sacrifices made to restore peace. He criticized political forces that had fueled divisions and warned that Karachi’s future should be decided by its people. Highlighting the PPP’s empowerment of local governments from Larkana to Karachi, he stressed the importance of municipal representatives having the authority to resolve local issues and provide services.
Bilawal described the newly inaugurated sports complex in Karachi as part of ongoing development efforts to offer better facilities to residents. He also mentioned the launch of the third phase of Thar Coal Block II in Tharparkar. He condemned political elements allegedly pushing Karachi’s youth towards crime, contrasting this with the PPP’s focus on education and constructive opportunities for young people.
On provincial status, Bilawal expressed support for granting constitutional rights to Gilgit-Baltistan and backing the creation of new provinces where there is public consensus, including South Punjab. He urged political leaders Mustafa Kamal and Mohsin Naqvi to consult the public to determine their preferences on the issue.
Addressing economic challenges, Bilawal acknowledged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s intent to provide relief but stressed the need to focus on inflation and the hardships faced by households. He noted that the ongoing US-Iran conflict had exacerbated the country’s difficulties. Bilawal called on the federal government to prioritize easing the public’s burden rather than concentrating solely on political developments in KP, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring relief reaches the people.
