LAHORE, Dec 10 (APP):Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned that certain political forces are deliberately targeting state institutions through social media, a trend he termed dangerous for national stability and harmful to the country. Speaking to the media on Wednesday after visiting the residence of late senior party worker Zubaida Jafri in Baghbanpura to offer condolences, Bilawal said Pakistan was once again passing through a critical …
Targeting state institutions harmful to country: Bilawal
LAHORE, Dec 10 (APP):Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned that certain political forces are deliberately targeting state institutions through social media, a trend he termed dangerous for national stability and harmful to the country.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday after visiting the residence of late senior party worker Zubaida Jafri in Baghbanpura to offer condolences, Bilawal said Pakistan was once again passing through a critical and dangerous phase.
Referring to clashes with India in May, he claimed that Pakistan had responded firmly to Indian aggression by shooting down six Indian warplanes, sending a clear message that the country would never compromise on its sovereignty and defense. He added that threats from India remain present, while terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is becoming an alarming reality.
“Terrorists come from Afghanistan, carry out attacks in Pakistan, and then return. This is a serious security challenge, but Pakistan’s courageous forces are confronting these threats,” he said.
Bilawal stressed that internal challenges were also being addressed, and at such a time, every patriotic citizen must stand with the country and its armed forces. He regretted that some political parties were attempting to create mistrust between the people and the military, saying such behavior weakened national institutions.
He said one political party was playing the role of a “political antichrist” by promoting extremism and confrontation. “I am free to criticize the government and praise it where needed; I act according to my mandate,” he said.
Commenting further on the political climate, he said if any political party adopts extremist tendencies or supports terrorists, questions regarding potential bans would naturally arise. He noted that terrorism-related behavior may even trigger discussions of Governor’s rule, although he had not seen the KP Governor’s statement on the matter.
Bilawal said he would welcome Maryam Nawaz or any PML-N leader contesting elections from Sindh, adding that election reforms were essential before any upcoming polls to avoid controversies such as accusations linked to Form 47.
He urged political parties to review their roles and conduct responsibly. “We do not want a ban on any political party, but political forces must adopt a democratic attitude,” he said, adding that it was the government’s responsibility to provide political space to the opposition.
Expressing his pleasure at meeting workers in Lahore, Bilawal said he had recently met PPP parliamentarians from Punjab and highlighted his party’s success in by-elections in Muzaffargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan.
Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Nayyar Bukhari, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Faisal Mir and Nargis Khan were also present on the occasion.
