Addressing budget debate in NA, PPP chairman welcomes US-Iran agreement, renews call for constitutional rights for G-B
Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari speaking on the floor of the National Assembly. SCREENGRAB
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday strongly defended the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), describing it as an economic and national security initiative and calling criticism of the scheme “regrettable and shameful”.
Speaking during the National Assembly debate on the federal budget for FY2026-27, Bilawal said the programme’s success had been recognised by international institutions and argued that it should be expanded rather than curtailed.
“Targeting the Benazir Income Support Programme is regrettable and shameful,” he said. “The work of the Benazir Income Support Programme is acknowledged by international institutions. The world says this is a successful programme.”
Welcoming the government’s decision to increase BISP allocations in the upcoming budget, Bilawal said the PPP would continue to defend the programme regardless of political opposition.
“BISP is an economic and national security programme,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s economy could only achieve sustainable growth through greater investment in social protection policies.
He argued that economic progress was inseparable from social justice, saying Pakistan’s development depended on improving the lives of workers and farmers. “The economy of Pakistan will only progress when the labourer progresses,” he said. “When the farmer develops, Pakistan’s agriculture develops.”
Bilawal also criticised Pakistan’s dependence on borrowing, noting that the country continued to rely on loans to finance its budget and repay existing debt.
The PPP chairperson also welcomed the recent US-Iran peace agreement and praised Pakistan’s leadership for its role in promoting regional stability.
He said Pakistan had repeatedly witnessed the economic costs of instability and uncertainty, which was why the country consistently advocated dialogue and peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
“We have experienced the economic impact of uncertain situations. This is why Pakistan always promotes peace,” he said, describing peace as both a moral and economic necessity. “When there is stability in the region, investment increases. When there is peace, the youth get employment, and the country progresses.”
Bilawal said that while the international community appeared to be moving towards peace, Pakistan must now focus on development and economic growth.
However, he cautioned that regional challenges remained, citing security concerns along the Afghan border, India’s threats of “Operation Sindoor 2.0”, and New Delhi’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty. “I can say with pride that Pakistan has responded to the challenge with political unity and democratic tradition,” he said.
Bilawal noted that the federal and provincial governments had agreed to jointly shoulder the burden of increased defence and national security requirements despite fiscal constraints imposed under the IMF programme.
He said provinces had repeatedly sacrificed development spending to support national economic stability and maintain required budget surpluses.
“Punjab showed a surplus of Rs700 billion last year and Rs900 billion this year,” he said. “Punjab could have spent this money in Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan, but the provinces are not spending these funds in order to support the national economy.”
Referring to the merged tribal districts, Bilawal said commitments made to the former FATA had yet to be fulfilled.
He also acknowledged the support of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, noting that despite political differences, it had agreed to contribute towards national defence requirements under the arrangement reached between the federation and provinces.
Later in his speech, Bilawal thanked the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) for their support, noting that the PPP had secured 11 seats in the region. He described the people of G-B as among Pakistan’s most patriotic citizens and reiterated his commitment to protecting their political and constitutional rights.
Bilawal said the people of G-B had historically liberated themselves from Dogra rule and acceded to Pakistan but continued to face unresolved constitutional issues. “Those who freed themselves from Dogra rule, how long can they be kept deprived of constitutional rights?” he asked.
He called for serious consideration of G-B’s long-standing constitutional demands and proposed interim representation for the region in Parliament. The PPP chairperson stressed that the issue required national consensus and collective political agreement to ensure a lasting solution.
This story is being updated.
