LARKANA: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday underscored the importance of the politics of reconciliation, stressing that both the ruling coalition and the opposition must play a responsible role to steer the country towards political stability and economic progress.
Speaking to the media at the inauguration ceremony of the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology in Larkana, Bilawal recalled that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had consistently promoted the message of “truth and reconciliation” and harmony in politics.
Linking reconciliation with national development, he said the government and its allies must fulfil their responsibilities, while the opposition should also act responsibly in the broader national interest.
“If stringent measures are taken in response to the politics of extremism, then there should be no complaints,” he remarked, quoting the English idiom: “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”
Referring indirectly to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Bilawal said that attacking national institutions over legal cases or arrests would inevitably invite action under the law and the Constitution. He added that had the PPP been in a similar position, it would have faced even harsher consequences.
The PPP chairperson advised PTI to abandon what he termed the “politics of extremism,” saying such an approach was harmful not only for the party itself but also for the country’s political environment.
He said that while Benazir Bhutto laid the philosophical foundation of reconciliation, President Asif Ali Zardari played the most significant role in its practical implementation. “President Zardari has both a proven track record and the confidence of the people to play an effective role in political reconciliation,” he said.
However, Bilawal noted that the current situation presented unique challenges, citing tensions on the borders with India and Afghanistan and a rise in internal terrorism. In this context, he said, the role of opposition parties was particularly crucial.
“If opposition parties behave like extremist groups, the state will respond accordingly,” he warned, adding that a political approach from the opposition could create space to reduce political polarisation and divisions.
Responding to a question about Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s demand for fresh elections, Bilawal said all political parties should work towards ensuring free and fair elections whenever they are held. He stressed the need for electoral reforms to restore public and political trust in the Election Commission.
“There is no point in holding elections if allegations of rigging continue,” he said, adding that since early elections were unlikely, serious political forces should focus on meaningful reforms.
Bilawal also expressed concern over complaints related to recent by-elections, saying polls conducted in a contentious environment only fuel political instability.
Reiterating the need for reconciliation, he said the government must also take steps in this direction. “Parliament should be made functional and used as a platform to promote tolerance. Politicians and political workers must take collective measures to create space for constructive politics,” he added.
