logo
Bilawal bhutto launches Niaz stadium renovation, reaffirms commitment to corruption-free development

Bilawal bhutto launches Niaz stadium renovation, reaffirms commitment to corruption-free development

Express Tribune2 days ago
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan and current head of the Pakistan People's Party, leads a delegation to Washington, which played a key mediatory role in a ceasefire after Pakistan's conflict with India in May. Photo: AFP
Listen to article
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari dismissed on Tuesday speculation on any potential legislation on a 27th Constitutional Amendment as "baseless".
Even as the 26th Constitutional Amendment remains marred in controversy, power corridors in Islamabad have been abuzz with rumours of a possible 27th Constitutional Amendment. Speculation suggests that the potential amendment would bring further changes to the structure and functioning of superior judiciary.
The 26th Amendment had brought in sweeping changes to the judicial framework.
Speaking to reporters at the launch of renovation works for Hyderabad's Niaz Stadium, Bilawal rubished the "baseless rumours". 'So far, no federal minister, prime minister or party member has approached me regarding any amendments.'
He underscored that the 26th Amendment was passed after reaching a consensus and with compromise from political parties. "PPP wanted constitutional courts, but we compromised,' said Bilawal.
Read: Rumours swirl around '27th amendment' amid flurry of high-level meetings
Meanwhile on X (formerly Twitter), PPP's media wing quoted Bilawal as saying, 'the 26th Constitutional Amendment is an eternal success. Judicial reforms and constitutional courts were a demand of the Charter of Democracy, but we prioritised a constitutional bench over a constitutional court for the sake of consensus'.
'26ویں آئینی ترمیم محض ایک دور کی کامیابی نہیں بلکہ یہ ہمیشہ کی کامیابی ہے، عدالتی ریفامز اور آئینی عدالتیں چارٹر آف ڈیموکریسی کا مطالبہ تھا مگر ہم نے اتفاق رائے کیلئے آئینی عدالت کے بجائے آئینی بینچ کو ترجیح دی۔
چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری@BBhuttoZardari… pic.twitter.com/UoBs7Ek7y8 — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) August 12, 2025
Commenting on India's stance on the Indus Waters Treaty, Bilawal asserted that Pakistan must receive its share of three rivers under the agreement, warning that if the treaty is not honoured, Pakistan would seek water from all six rivers under international law.
He recalled visiting Hyderabad a year ago to inaugurate a water filtration plant and expressed satisfaction over the pace of ongoing projects by the provincial government. 'In the past, some politicians sowed seeds of hatred here, but now Hyderabad will keep moving forward.'
Stressing the need to shift from traditional flood irrigation methods towards advanced water technology, he added, 'so far, we have only focused on flood irrigation. The federal government must move towards modernisation in the water sector".
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Gaza civil defence says 17 killed in Israel strikes
Gaza civil defence says 17 killed in Israel strikes

Business Recorder

timean hour ago

  • Business Recorder

Gaza civil defence says 17 killed in Israel strikes

GAZA CITY: Gaza's civil defence agency said at least 17 people were killed Thursday in Israeli strikes as the military intensified its bombardment of Gaza City. The dead included six civilians who had been waiting for humanitarian aid, said civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal. 'The Israeli occupation forces are intensifying their raids in the Zeitun area' of Gaza City, he said. The Israeli military has yet to comment. 'For the fourth consecutive day, the area has been subject to a military operation, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries,' said Bassal. Arab nations denounce Netanyahu remarks on 'Greater Israel' 'Since dawn today, we have received 28 calls from families and residents of this neighbourhood, some of whose children have been killed. 'Many people cannot leave these areas due to artillery fire,' the spokesperson added. Maram Kashko, a resident of Zeitun, said the strikes had increased over the past four days. 'My nephew, his wife and their children were killed in a bombardment,' he told AFP. An AFP videographer said their bodies were taken to Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City and buried shortly afterwards at the Sayyid Hashim cemetery. On Wednesday, the head of the Israeli military said he had approved a new plan for operations in the Gaza Strip aimed at freeing all hostages and defeating Hamas. The military intends to take control of Gaza City and neighbouring refugee camps, some of the most densely populated areas in the Palestinian territory, which has been devastated by more than 22 months of war. Over the past three days, Zeitun has been the target of repeated air strikes, according to multiple sources, including the military. Adding to the dire humanitarian situation, Gaza has been experiencing a spell of extreme heat, which is particularly difficult for displaced residents living in tents and makeshift shelters. 'The heat is unbearable. We live in a nylon tent – it's like an oven. We cannot stay inside during the day, there is no ventilation,' said Umm Khaled Abu Jazar, 40, displaced in the Al-Mawasi camp. 'My children have developed skin rashes. Even the water we drink is hot from the sun. There is nothing to cool us down. The heat only adds to our daily suffering,' the mother of five told AFP.

India and China eye border trade resumption
India and China eye border trade resumption

Business Recorder

time7 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

India and China eye border trade resumption

NEW DELHI: India and China are discussing resuming border trade five years after it was halted, foreign ministry officials on both sides have said, as US tariffs disrupt the global trade order. Past trade across the icy and high-altitude Himalayan border passes between the neighbours was usually small in volume, but any resumption is significant for its symbolism. The two major economic powers have long competed for strategic influence across South Asia. But caught in global trade and geopolitical turbulence triggered by US President Donald Trump's tariff regime, the countries have moved to mend ties. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected for talks in New Delhi on Monday, according to Indian media, after his counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited Beijing in July. That, as well as agreements to resume direct flights and issue tourist visas, has been seen as an effort to rebuild a relationship damaged after a deadly border clash in 2020 between their nations' troops. 'For a long time, China-India border trade cooperation has played an important role in improving the lives of people living along the border,' China's foreign ministry said in a statement to AFP on Thursday. India's Modi to visit China for first time in 7 years as tensions with US rise It added that the two sides have 'reached a consensus on cross-border exchanges and cooperation, including resumption of border trade'. New Delhi's junior foreign minister, Kirti Vardhan Singh, told parliament last week that 'India has engaged with the Chinese side to facilitate the resumption of border trade'. No restart date was given by either side. Successive US administrations have seen India as a longstanding ally with like-minded interests when it comes to China. India is part of the Quad security alliance with the United States, as well as Australia and Japan. But ties between New Delhi and Washington have been strained by Trump's ultimatum for India to end its purchases of Russian oil, a key source of revenue for Moscow as it wages its military offensive in Ukraine. The United States will double new import tariffs on India from 25 percent to 50 percent by August 27 if New Delhi does not switch crude suppliers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Indian media, might also visit China in late August. It would be Modi's first visit since 2018, although it has not been confirmed officially. Beijing has said that 'China welcomes Prime Minister Modi' for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit opening on August 31.

Bilawal inaugurates new canal from Karachi
Bilawal inaugurates new canal from Karachi

Business Recorder

time15 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Bilawal inaugurates new canal from Karachi

KARACHI: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, dubbing him 'Shehbaz Slow' when it comes to uplift works in Karachi. While inaugurating a 100-million-gallon water project in Hub on Wednesday, the PPP chairman launched a scathing attack on the prime minister and sarcastically called him 'Shehbaz Slow' for delays in the K-IV water project. 'We expected Shehbaz Speed [for Karachi's uplift], but got Shehbaz Slow. Sindh govt decides to initiate 'Hub Canal', other projects It cannot be that Punjab gets Shehbaz Speed while Karachi is left with Shehbaz Slow,' Bilawal added while requesting the prime minister to fulfil his promises regarding the K-IV water project in Karachi. Turning his criticism to India, Bilawal said that the Modi government has conspired to block Pakistan's water supply, likening his tactics to those of Netanyahu. He condemned India's alleged plan to violate the Indus Waters Treaty by constructing dams, calling it 'the biggest historical attack on the Indus River.' 'Karachi's people know how to defend the Sindhu Darya [Indus River]. We will confront India diplomatically and, if needed, on the battlefield,' the PPP chairman warned. Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah declared the project a major gift for Karachi on Independence Day. He said that Karachi's federal water quota would be raised to 200 MGD by December. 'We inaugurated the project on August 13 as promised,' he said, adding that the main beneficiaries would be West Wharf, Keamari, and Central Karachi. The new canal, he said, would bring an additional 100 million gallons per day (MGD) of water to the city, doubling the capacity previously carried by the old canal. Murad said that the old canal could not transport even 60 MGD effectively, but the new infrastructure would overcome that limitation. 'We built this canal within the fixed time and budget, without any cost escalation,' he stated. 'This is a gift to Karachiites ahead of Independence Day.' The chief minister also announced that the restoration of the old canal would be completed by December, further boosting the city's water capacity to 140 MGD. He added that the provincial government was negotiating with the federal government to increase Sindh and Balochistan's water quota, citing improved water availability due to climate change. Murad said a 35 MGD water treatment plant would also be completed in September to supply industries, freeing up potable water for domestic use. Once the augmentation phase of K-IV is completed through arrangements with the World Bank, Karachi will receive 550 MGD of water, significantly easing shortages. The New Hub Canal spans 21.8 kilometres and includes 11 aqueducts, 19 culverts, and four bridges, with a total capacity of 130 MGD. Phase II of the project involves restoring the old canal, with 21.8 km of its section already closed for accelerated work. The Manghopir pumping station's 150 MGD capacity is also being restored, alongside the refurbishment of the filtration plant.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store