Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday alleged that international powers are conspiring against the country’s nuclear and missile programs.
Addressing a public gathering commemorating the 17th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, he expressed concern over recent statements from U.S. officials supporting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. These expressions of support, he warned, are a facade for targeting Pakistan’s strategic defense capabilities.
“PTI founder is just an excuse; their real target is Pakistan’s nuclear and missile program,” he said, urging Khan to clarify his stance on these foreign endorsements. He noted that those advocating for Khan’s release had previously opposed Pakistan’s nuclear program. He said there was an impression that certain international lobbies aimed to install a government in Pakistan willing to compromise on national security matters, including the nuclear program, for political gain.
Emphasizing his party’s commitment to defending Pakistan’s strategic interests, Bilawal vowed to thwart any conspiracies against the nation’s nuclear and missile capabilities. He emphasized the importance of national unity in confronting these challenges. “We have to get united to deal with the conspiracy being hatched against us [Pakistan],” he added.
During his address, the PPP chairman also reminded ruling coalition partner Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) that its mandate restricted it from taking unilateral decisions. He cautioned that such actions could create rifts among allies and stressed on the need for consensus-based decision-making through Parliament to address the country’s challenges effectively.
The event was attended by key PPP figures, including President Asif Ali Zardari, who assured the people of Sindh that their rights to water and gas resources would be protected. He urged citizens not to panic over federal projects concerning the River Indus, promising equitable rights for all provinces.