KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday described the ceasefire in Gaza as a welcome development, saying the world had witnessed the “genocide of Palestinians” during the conflict.
Speaking at a ceremony in Karachi, Bilawal said while the truce was commendable, there were concerns it might not last. “Doctors and journalists in Gaza were deliberately targeted. The world has seen the brutal reality,” he said.
The PPP chairman said that during his time as foreign minister, he had consistently raised Pakistan’s position on Palestine in meetings with his counterparts across the world.
Turning to domestic matters, Bilawal credited the Sindh government for launching the province’s economic zone during Qaim Ali Shah’s tenure, calling it an initiative that has gained international attention. “This is not a competition with other provinces — it’s a Sindh government achievement that has been recognised globally,” he said.
He also noted that Sindh’s public-private partnership model had been praised internationally and urged unity instead of internal division. “Our focus should be on competing globally, not among ourselves,” he added.
Referring to Pakistan’s healthcare system, Bilawal said cancer treatment in Karachi was being provided free of charge, calling it a major success for the country.
He highlighted the global recognition of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), saying foreign officials often cite it as a model for social protection. “Even the PTI founder relied on BISP during COVID-19 relief efforts, only changing its name,” he claimed. “Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif also used BISP for aid distribution.”
Discussing climate change and disaster recovery, Bilawal said that two million homes were destroyed in Sindh during the 2022 floods, which he described as the result of a crisis Pakistan did not cause. “We invited the UN Secretary-General to see the devastation firsthand. The PPP government ensured land ownership for those left homeless,” he added.
