Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday urged the federal government to build consensus among all political parties against the scourge of terrorism.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should convene another meeting, even if after a month … We hope to build a national consensus to combat terrorism,” he said, referring to last week’s national security briefing that was skipped by several opposition parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The high-security huddle was aimed at informing parliamentarians of resurgent terrorism in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. It came on the heels of the Jaffar Express hijacking.
In his address, Bhutto-Zardari stressed on ensuring law and order in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. “It is indispensable to establish consensus on national issues,” he reiterated, stressing that political parties must set aside their differences and work for the national interest.
“There is division in our politics … building consensus on national issues has become difficult,” he admitted. Noting that Pakistan was once again facing global conspiracies, he said it must stand firm against them. He also urged opposition parties to move beyond “narrow-minded politics” and focus on public welfare.
Reaffirming his commitment to combat terrorism, he vowed to confront both terrorists and their facilitators. He said he had informed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that the PPP was ready to play its role in facilitating dialogue among political parties. In a direct message to Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, he said the PTI might have numerous grievances but tended to focus on a single issue. “The people of Pakistan face multiple challenges beyond just political disputes, including terrorism, economic instability, and internal issues,” he said, advising Ayub to prioritize national issues over seeking relief for political leadership.
The PPP leader also clarified that while his party was neither in government nor the opposition, it was ready to play a role in facilitating dialogue for the national interest.