Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has announced plans to regularize Katchi Abadis across the country, following the model implemented in Sindh, if his party comes to power in the next general elections. He emphasized that if bureaucrats and judges can receive plots, then plots can also be provided to the impoverished citizens of the country.
Furthermore, Bilawal stressed that for the nation’s economy to improve, money must find its way into the hands of the common people. While addressing the inauguration ceremony of a Water Filtration Plant in the Hussainabad area, Hyderabad, he asserted that it’s essential to grant the poor citizens and marginalized classes their rightful entitlements. He argued that unless the purchasing power of the people increases, the economy will not prosper.
Addressing residents of Katchi Abadis nationwide, he stated, “This was my maternal grandfather’s promise to the public and my mother’s dream. I pledge that, if given the opportunity, I will grant land ownership rights to all those residing in Katchi Abadis throughout the country.” Bilawal Bhutto highlighted that although all provinces were affected by unusual rains last year, only in Sindh were flood victims provided with homes and ownership rights to the land. He mentioned that over two million families benefited from this initiative, with land ownership rights specifically given to women in the family.
“We aim to expand this program to other provinces of the country,” he added. The PPP Chairman emphasized his party’s readiness for elections, even recalling instances where they faced elections while carrying the burden of tragedies. He expressed concern about some allies avoiding elections, remarking, “They are scared; they run away from local elections, by-elections, and perhaps now they are afraid of general elections too.”
Bilawal Bhutto mentioned his efforts to persuade MQM-P leaders to contest local body elections instead of yielding space to incompetent candidates, but they withdrew due to fear, resulting in the loss of two towns. He criticized PTI for practising divisive politics and pledged to challenge their presence nationwide.
The PPP Chairman also addressed character assassination and false propaganda against his party and leadership across three generations, linking it to a conspiracy to bring Imran Khan to power over the last 15 years. He pointed out that such propaganda aimed to portray Sindh negatively compared to other parts of Pakistan.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized that projects like the NICVD were accomplished under the PPP government’s leadership, providing evidence of their achievements. He also mentioned the healthcare choices of politicians, highlighting the contrast between Sharjeel Memon’s treatment at NICVD Hospital and Imran Khan’s overseas medical care.
