Bilawal asks parties to put economic crisis before political feuds

Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the federal government and rival parties on Friday to set political disputes aside and deal with the country's economic crisis, saying the fallout from the Iran war was landing on ordinary Pakistanis.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for a 600-bed hospital in Larkana, he said the effects of the war were being felt from the United States to Larkana and that the burden was "breaking the back" of ordinary people. "We have not seen such a crisis in our recent history," he said.

Zardari said every government had a duty to address the economic crisis and to put the welfare of citizens first, and that surviving in the present conditions had become harder for Pakistanis. He called the situation a test for the government.

He asked the federal government to bring political and economic stakeholders into talks instead of pursuing confrontation, and said political differences should take a back seat to improving people's lives.

"If we remain engaged in fighting one another, with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, with Maulana (JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman), with terrorists, with India and Afghanistan, then we will not be able to alleviate the suffering of the Pakistani people, which should be our utmost priority," he said.

"As Pakistanis, we should forget our differences and focus on the real issues, particularly the economic problems faced by the people," he added.

On the electoral reforms committee, Zardari said it was the first time he had seen the opposition, government coalition partners and some government representatives raise concerns about alleged election rigging together. Grievances shared by that range of parties should be settled through the committee, he said, and he called on parties to cooperate in strengthening democracy and holding transparent elections. If PTI stays out of the process, he said, it should not complain to the public about rigging.

The Express Tribune reported that the hospital is due to be completed in 2026, a month ahead of schedule.

Separately, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Thursday that the prime minister's adviser on political affairs, Rana Sanaullah, had urged all parties to settle political issues through dialogue. Speaking to a private TV channel, he stressed negotiation and mutual understanding, and said political differences should be addressed through constructive dialogue. He also praised the Punjab government for launching welfare and development projects worth billions of rupees.