Bilawal says PPP helped avert emergency in K-P

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has claimed that the federal government had considered imposing emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa but was persuaded to pursue a political solution first.

Speaking at an event in Karachi on Saturday, Bilawal said emergency and governor’s rule were constitutional options, but political parties should exhaust dialogue before taking such measures.

He said the PPP had urged the government to engage politically so that all parties could work together against terrorism. Bilawal stressed that terrorism should be treated as a national issue rather than a political one.

The PPP chairman called for the government and PTI to reach a formal agreement to cooperate against terrorism while keeping their political differences separate from security matters. He also urged PTI to reconsider its planned march on Islamabad in view of the deteriorating security situation in K-P.

Bilawal said the PPP, the federal government and President Asif Ali Zardari had remained in contact over recent weeks amid increasing terrorist attacks in K-P and tensions involving Afghanistan. He also alleged that India was linked to the security situation, without providing further details.

His comments came after the government and opposition began formal talks aimed at addressing their political differences. Bilawal said the PPP wanted all political forces to reach an amicable settlement and avoid emergency measures.

He warned that worsening security conditions in K-P and Balochistan could eventually affect other parts of the country, particularly Karachi. Describing Karachi as a “mini Pakistan”, he said developments in other provinces directly affect the city.