Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged the federal government to pursue dialogue with political and provincial stakeholders instead of engaging in continuous confrontations, warning that political disputes are diverting attention from the country’s economic difficulties.
Speaking at the inauguration of a new 600-bed hospital in Larkana, Bilawal described his recent meeting with the prime minister as highly positive and said both sides had agreed on measures to improve coordination between the federal and provincial governments.
He announced that a meeting would be held in Karachi to strengthen cooperation with the federal government. Bilawal also said he had advised the prime minister to hold federal cabinet meetings in different provinces.
The PPP chairman said there had been agreement on improving communication between the federal government, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the PPP.
He expressed concern over the limited number of federally funded development projects in Sindh, saying that federal and provincial authorities had worked more closely during the PPP government’s tenure from 2008 to 2013.
Bilawal pointed to the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), claiming that Sindh currently receives very few federal development projects. However, he thanked the prime minister for recent improvements and assured him of the PPP’s support wherever necessary.
Turning to healthcare, Bilawal said the newly inaugurated hospital would help ease the pressure on Larkana’s existing medical facilities, which also serve patients travelling from neighbouring Balochistan.
He expressed hope that the 600-bed facility would meet international healthcare standards and provide quality treatment to residents of Larkana and surrounding areas.
Bilawal stressed that economic hardship should not prevent anyone from accessing medical care, adding that the government would continue working to improve healthcare services despite financial constraints.
He acknowledged that Pakistan was facing economic difficulties alongside other countries affected by global economic pressures.
“Criticising is easy, but working is difficult,” he remarked, emphasising the need for practical solutions.
Discussing political tensions, Bilawal advised the federal government to maintain dialogue with all stakeholders and focus on addressing the economic challenges confronting ordinary Pakistanis.
He questioned how the country could achieve development while remaining engaged in disputes with multiple political groups and neighbouring countries.
Referring to tensions involving the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Afghanistan and India, he argued that constant confrontation would make it harder to address pressing economic concerns.
Speaking as a former foreign minister, Bilawal called for reducing differences and shifting national attention towards economic recovery.
He also commented on international conflicts, saying that US President Donald Trump had campaigned on a promise to end wars and that American voters had supported that message.
Bilawal argued that the economic consequences of war were being felt by ordinary people across the world, including residents of Larkana.
He reiterated that the country’s political leadership should concentrate on cooperation, development and relief for citizens rather than allowing disagreements to dominate the national agenda.