Demoralising to see writ of state erode, says Bilawal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday said it was demoralising to see the writ of state erode. 

The PPP chairperson was addressing a press conference on the occasion of PPP's golden jubilee celebrations. 

“It was demoralising for my entire generation to see writ of the state erode, to see the abject surrender of the state, to see the rule of law made a mockery of, to see the freedom of press strangled," said the PPP chairperson in regards to the Faizabad sit-in and the subsequent agreement reached to end the protest. 

Commenting on the country’s political situation, he further said that the conditions had deteriorated in recent times. 

He also requested all the forces involved in the Faizabad sit-in to let democracy continue.

Such conditions prove to be “very demoralising” for the youth especially, he remarked, adding, “we [the youth] are dejected by the political class, opposition parties and the government.”

Bilawal added that there is democracy in Pakistan because of the PPP.

The country became a nuclear power due to the efforts of PPP, he remarked, adding that the party will also give the country a young prime minister. 

The PPP scion also shared that the party wants the ruling party to complete its tenure. "We want a democratic transfer of power." 

When asked about the general elections, Bilawal said that PPP is hoping that the elections are held on time. However, he remarked that the census process was quite “controversial.”

“The people of FATA are quite upset [with the census], about nine million people are missing from census in Sindh,” he said.  

On PPP completing 50 years, Bilawal shared that this is not just an opportunity for celebration but introspection as well. “We have to see what our weaknesses have been and learn from our mistakes.”

Alongside, the party members must also focus on the ways they can make deceased party leaders such as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and Nusrat Bhutto proud, he remarked. 

Bilawal said that the celebrations won't continue for just one day rather it will be an year long process. "We will hold a rally in Islamabad's Parade Ground on December 5," he said, adding that PPP will hold different conferences in different cities throughout the year. 

PPP unveils golden jubilee logo

On November 15, PPP had unveiled the official logo for its Golden Jubilee Foundation Day on November 30, 2017.

PPP was founded by former prime minister and popular leader Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on November 30, 1967. The party, through a mass mandate, managed to form the federal government thrice in its 50-year political journey.

The party is known for braving the harsh dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq, who not only dismissed the Bhutto-led government but was also perceived to be involved in the controversial decision against the party leader, leading to his hanging.

After Bhutto’s demise, the party was led by his wife late Nusrat Bhutto.

Later, his daughter late Benazir Bhutto took the party’s helm of affairs till her tragic assassination at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on Dec 27, 2007.

The party is now led by Benazir's son, Bilawal.