Bilawal’s call for political unity 

November 8, 2026

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has made a timely appeal to the federal government and all political parties to put aside their differences and work together to address the challenges facing the country. Speaking at a ceremony in Larkana on Friday, Bilawal urged the government to engage political parties, provincial governments and social stakeholders instead of allowing political confrontations to deepen divisions. His message deserves appreciation, particularly at a time when Pakistan can hardly afford another prolonged political crisis. He stressed that public concerns, economic difficulties and national security should take priority over political rivalries. Referring to the economic consequences of the US-Israeli war on Iran, he warned that its impact would continue even if the conflict ended immediately. He described the financial burden as unprecedented and said governments across the world were struggling to protect their people from its effects.

Bilawal rightly argued that Pakistan needs cooperation rather than confrontation to deal with these challenges. He cautioned that continued disputes with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and other political groups would distract the government from matters of public importance. His appeal comes amid tensions between federal ministers and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over provincial rights and the possibility of imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Bilawal defended the proposed governor’s rule, saying the security situation in KP had deteriorated and terrorist attacks had reached levels not seen since 2007-08. He also blamed developments in Afghanistan for adding to the security challenges. Criticising the provincial administration led by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, he alleged that it had failed to protect residents from terrorism.

However, he maintained that dialogue remained the best way forward. Recalling the PPP’s efforts to bring the federal government and PTI to the negotiating table, he regretted the failure of those talks but invited both sides to restart the process. His willingness to support an end to governor’s rule if political leaders agreed on a common strategy against terrorism is a positive gesture. All political parties, including the government, PTI, JUI-F and other stakeholders, should seriously consider Bilawal’s call. Pakistan needs political maturity, mutual respect and collective action. The country and its people must come before party interests.