Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has sharply criticized the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMNL-N)-led federal government for taking “unilateral decisions without consulting its political allies”, warning that such actions create unnecessary challenges for the administration.
In a speech at an event in the federal capital, Bilawal Bhutto highlighted the importance of consensus-based policymaking, emphasizing that Pakistan’s political system thrives when the government listens to the people and collaborates with key stakeholders. stakeholders.
“Every time the government makes decisions without consulting its allies or taking into account the wishes of the public, it ends up complicating the situation,” he noted.
The PPP leader also recalled the party’s long-standing support for workers’ rights and the struggle of the working class of Pakistan.
He noted that the efforts of three generations of PPP leaders led to the establishment of important rights for the country’s workers, starting with the historic contributions of his grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who helped bring about the Constitution, and continuing with the leadership of his late mother, Benazir Bhutto, who strongly resisted military dictatorship.
Bilawal Bhutto also pointed out that the PPP’s legacy of fighting for democracy, workers’ rights and human rights was a continuous effort even during the rule of military dictators such as General Zia-ul- Haq and General Pervez Musharraf.
He praised the PPP for consistently advancing the agenda of the working class, adding that the party was the first to introduce a comprehensive labor policy in Pakistan and continued to advocate for fair wages and pensions.
In his speech, the PPP chairman also touched on the broader theme of political legitimacy, saying that no government can function without the support and consent of the people.
“Whether you are Prime Minister, President or even a monarch, every system depends on the will of its people,” he said.
“If a government moves away from the desires of the people, it destabilizes the entire system.”
Blawal warned that Pakistan’s current political environment was marred by a lack of dialogue and top-down decision-making.
“When decisions are made unilaterally, they are more difficult to implement and the results are often less positive,” he said.
“On the other hand, when decisions are made by consensus and in consultation with all stakeholders, including opposition and coalition partners, they are easier to implement and have a better chance of success.”
The PPP leader called for a return to the principle of consensus politics, citing the example of his grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who, despite having a majority in Parliament, chose to create a democratic system based on the national consensus.
“He had the mandate to implement his own policies, but he chose to build consensus and reach an agreement guaranteeing the stability of the system,” Bilawal noted.
He expressed concern that the current government, while not holding the same level of majority, sometimes acts as if it has a two-thirds majority, dictating policy without consultation.
He urged the ruling party to prioritize consultation with elected representatives, as well as with opposition parties, for a more effective and stable political environment.
Bilawal Bhutto concluded his speech by reiterating the PPP’s commitment to a policy of unity and thematic discussions rather than division and hatred.
He lamented that Pakistan’s current political climate is more focused on personalities and less on the real challenges facing the nation.
“We are committed to a politics of issues, not hatred and division,” he said. “Right now, political discourse is unfortunately drifting away from key issues that affect the people of Pakistan.”