Pakistan

‘Powerful lobbies, bureaucracy’ is what Bilawal Bhutto holds responsible for the nation’s issues.

Published

4 months ago

Farwa

Politico asserts that “powerful lobbies” respond angrily to any proposal to eliminate 17 ministries.

Bilawal Bhutto interacts with students of SZABIST Islamabad.
Politico explains salient features of PPP’s manifesto, economic plan.
“Providing relief to weak segments, flood affectees top priority”

Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, has attributed the nation’s long-standing issues on “powerful lobbies and bureaucracy,” calling his party’s manifesto solution for all the challenges ahead of the national elections.

Bilawal was discussing his party’s manifesto, “Chuno Nai Soch Ko (Choose new thinking)” with students on Monday at the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST) campus in Islamabad.

The PPP chairman reaffirmed his commitment to help the poor after eliminating all subsidies to the upper strata of society, promising tough steps to break the hold of elites and powerful lobbyists.

With the election on February 8, all political parties are gearing up for battle, their platforms and pledges aimed at appeasing voters. In an attempt to persuade people to put them to power, PML-N and PPP are vying for the position of premier.

The PPP president added, “The economic crisis poses a serious risk to Pakistan. Inflation, poverty, unemployment, and climate change are key issues being faced by the country and needed to be addressed on a priority basis.”

He claimed to have created the party’s manifesto with the assistance of economists, guaranteeing the public an economic strategy to handle any crisis and instant relief for the general populace.

In our nation, the fertiliser industry, powerhouses, and elites receive annual subsidies of Rs. 1,500 billion. We’re going to stop giving the wealthy and powerful subsidies, and instead use the money to help the less fortunate.

“If elected to power, we will eliminate 17 ministries. If we make investments in the energy, communications, and agriculture sectors, the nation’s economy will undoubtedly see stability.

Bilawal acknowledged that “powerful lobbies create problems and a powerful reaction will come from the powerful sector after the abolishment of ministries” in order to further explain the anticipated challenges in carrying out his proposal.

The politician discussed his experiences as a foreign minister in the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) administration. “I worked for the federal government for eighteen months, so I was familiar with the bureaucratic mindset in Islamabad.”

Bilawal attributed the country’s stagnant progress to the bureaucrats, saying, “They don’t want to work nor do they want anyone else to do something.”

He thought that the people who gave them 300 free energy units and other amenities, together with their programmes, would undoubtedly be supported by the country.

According to Bilawal, the nation was suffering greatly as a result of the politics of hatred and division. The politician defended his position by stating that without a mental shift, no manifesto could be implemented.

If voted to power, he continued, PPP could effectively handle long-standing national challenges by helping weak segments and flood victims on top of that. This would result in the creation of green jobs for the country.

The party led by Bilawal will also introduce the “Bhook Mitao Programme” following the unveiling of the manifesto. This programme aims to guarantee food security by providing affordable and wholesome food, encouraging domestic production, providing subsidies to local producers, and bringing women into the market economy as active entrepreneurs.

The party had previously disclosed the manifesto’s 10-point agenda, which was as follows:

Earners’ actual income will double, with annual increases of 8%.
300 units of free solar energy for the underprivileged; green energy parks in every district
Education for all: implementing initiatives to improve education
Free medical care for everyone in Pakistan
Three million homes for flood victims and the underprivileged
Ghurbat Mitao: Increase the reach of BISP and add more humanitarian programmes
Khushhaal Kisaan: “Hari Card” and a plan similar to BISP for farmers
Increased labourer support via the “Youth Card” for unemployed youth, “Youth Markaz,” and “Bhook Mitao Programme” for Benazir Mazdoor Card holders

Related Topics:elections pakistan Politics

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Punjabi bakers decide to charge Rs. 15 for “roti.”

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

The bread, known as roti, will be sold for Rs 15 by the bakers association.

During their discussion, the association promised Food Minister Bilal Yasin that the rate of roti will be reduced.

The minister was there when Association President Aftab Gul recorded a video message committing to sell rotis for Rs15 each.

According to him, the administration decided to lower the rate of flour. He continued, saying that the group was supporting the government hand in hand to stop inflation.

The price of flour has been drastically lowered, according to Food Minister Bilal, to help the populace. He stated, “the government aimed at providing quality and affordable bread to the masses.”

He said that the recent reduction of Rs 1,200 in the price of flour was the biggest drop in the commodity’s prices in the nation’s history.

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Day four of the AJK inflation protest begins as talks come to a standstill.

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

Following the collapse of talks between the Awami Action Committee and the AJK government on Sunday, the shutdown strike and protests in Azad Kashmir over rising flour and energy costs started their fourth day on Monday.

The ongoing shutdown and wheeljam strike would continue until their demands are fulfilled, according to the Awami Action Committee.

AAC-led march on state capital Muzaffarabad today has brought the valley to a near stop. The caravans are coming from many AJK cities, and they are headed towards Rawalakot. The march is being caused by the impasse in the negotiations.

Reportedly, the demonstrators have blocked the 40-kilometer Kohala–Muzaffarabad Road, which connects Kohala Town and Muzaffarabad, multiple times.

Traffic on main thoroughfares and roads has decreased, and large police contingents have been stationed at strategic points and roundabouts.

After fighting broke out between the police and demonstrators in Mirpur on Saturday, which left one policeman dead and numerous others injured, the AJK government dispatched Rangers.

Everything is completely suspended, including internet and cellular services, business, and education.

Under the pretext of talks, Awami Action Committee leader Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri has charged that the administration is using deceptive methods.

Apart from the flour subsidy, he continues, the administration will not budge on any other demand.

CONVENE MEETINGS, PRESIDENT, PM

All parties involved have been asked by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Zardari to use moderation and engage in discussions to find a solution. According to both, the demonstrators in Azad Kashmir should have their legitimate demands met.

The issue in AJK will be the topic of a significant meeting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is calling today, Monday.

The skirmishes between the demonstrators and the AJK police caused anxiety for the premier on Sunday.

Speaking with Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, the prime minister of AJK, he said he also gave the office-bearers of the All-Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in AJK instructions to speak with the leaders of the Awami Action Committee.

Olive Branch is offered by AJK PM.

Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Anwarul Haq stated on Sunday that his administration was ready to lessen the burden of exorbitant grain and energy costs.

Regarding Saturday’s meetings with the demonstrators, Prime Minister Haq declared, “We are determined to implement the agreement we have reached with the Awami Action Committee.”

Politicians, according to Haq, have found solutions to issues through discussion and “we are ready to talk with the Awami Action Committee at any level and the demands related to the government of Pakistan will be raised before the federation.”

In order to ease the burden of rising flour and power prices, he also expressed a willingness to modify the development budget if needed.

The AJK prime minister stated that his government’s first priority was ensuring public safety, and he further stated that no force was applied to the demonstrators.

Sub-inspector Adnan Qureshi was killed in a confrontation with demonstrators in Mirpur, and hundreds of people attended his funeral on Monday.

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Today’s National Assembly session is scheduled.

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

The National Assembly (NA) will meet today (Monday) at the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari.

At 4:00 p.m., the National Assembly will convene in the federal capital at Parliament House. The meeting’s agenda has been released by the assembly secretariat.

As per Article 54(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President has the authority to call a session of the National Assembly.