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Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bilawal inaugurates New Hub Canal to address Karachi's water crisis
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Speaking at the inauguration of New Hub Canal in Karachi on August 13. Photo: PPP Twitter Listen to article Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari inaugurated the New Hub Canal on Wednesday, emphasising that water has been a long-standing issue for the people of Karachi and must be addressed as a priority. He highlighted the importance of water for Karachi, adding that the renovation of the old Hub Canal, alongside the construction of the new canal, would significantly enhance the city's water supply. Bilawal expressed strong dissatisfaction over the federal government's persistent delay in completing the K-IV mega water project, which is crucial for Karachi's growing water needs, according to an official release. The K-IV project, part of an ongoing initiative by the Sindh Government and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), aims to address the city's long-standing water shortage. Once completed, it is expected to supply an additional 100 million gallons of water per day to Karachi. چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے نئی حب کینال کا افتتاح کردیا، جو یومیہ 100 ملین گیلن صاف پانی ضلع سینٹرل، کیماڑی اور غربی کے عوام فراہم کرے گی۔@BBhuttoZardari — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) August 13, 2025 Speaking at the inauguration, Bilawal remarked, 'It is unacceptable to operate with 'Shehbaz Speed' for Lahore and switch to 'Shehbaz Slow' for Karachi.' He criticised the lack of progress on the K-IV project and the federal government's failure to provide funds for Karachi's development. He added that he would raise the issue of delayed funding with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and urged him to ensure the earliest possible completion of the K-IV project. 'I had hoped the PM would support Karachi's development with the same 'Shehbaz Speed' that he has consistently shown for Lahore,' he said. Speaking on Karachi's development, Bilawal emphasised the importance of cooperation between the Sindh government and local bodies. He expressed hope that, in future elections, the people would reject politicians who spread hatred and instead support those working for the welfare of the people. He also condemned India's actions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, calling out the Modi government's attempts to block Pakistan's water share. 'India has been funding terrorist organisations and intends to block Pakistan's water under the Indus Waters Treaty,' he said. He described the move as an 'historic attack on the Sindhu (Indus) River' and vowed to confront India both diplomatically and, if necessary, on the battlefield. مودی سرکار کا سندھ طاس معاہدہ توڑنے اور پاکستان کا پانی روکنے کا خواب کبھی پورا نہیں ہوگا۔ کراچی والے اپنے سندھو کا دفاع کرنا جانتے ہیں — اگر عالمی قوانین کے تحت بھارت نے سندھ طاس معاہدہ نہیں مانا تو ہم انشاء ﷲ یہ چھ کے چھ دریا اپنی عوام تک پہنچائیں گے۔@BBhuttoZardari — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) August 13, 2025 The PPP chairman reiterated Pakistan's stance, stating that the country would not allow India to break the treaty. 'If compelled, we will seize all six rivers from India and deliver them to the people of Pakistan,' he added. The ceremony was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, provincial ministers, PPP office-bearers, and other prominent citizens of the city. He also paid tribute to PPP workers, particularly from Karachi and Hyderabad, for their unwavering support in resisting hate-driven politics and fostering unity. "For the first time in history, PPP mayors have been elected in both Karachi and Hyderabad," he said, acknowledging the sacrifices made by party workers in these cities. Bilawal concluded by stressing the need for continuous progress in Karachi and ensuring that development reaches all areas, including Lyari. "Work is also underway on a seawater desalination project under a public-private partnership model," he added.
Express Tribune
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Avoiding talks will hurt India's own interests: Bilawal
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari during an interview with Sky News on June 9, 2025. Photo: Sky News/ YouTube Listen to article Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged India to return to the negotiating table, warning that continued avoidance of dialogue would only harm regional peace and India's own interests. 'All outstanding issues between Pakistan and India can only be resolved through comprehensive dialogue,' he said. 'If India does not come to the table, it will not be in their favour.' Speaking in an interview with German broadcaster DW Urdu during a visit to Brussels on Sunday, former foreign minister warned that any attempt by India to block Pakistan's water supply would be seen as an existential threat, leaving Pakistan with no option but war. پاکستان اور بھارت کے درمیان تمام مسائل کا حل جامع مکالمہ ہے اور اگر بھارت مذاکرات کی میز پر نہیں آتا تو یہ ان کے اپنے ملک کے مفاد میں نہیں۔@BBhuttoZardari — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 15, 2025 Bilawal, who is leading a parliamentary delegation to the West, also urged the international community a day earlier to bring India to the table for talks and to play its role in ensuring lasting peace in South Asia — including resolution of the longstanding Kashmir dispute, water issues, and terrorism — through a composite dialogue, which he said India was unwilling to pursue. 'Such actions pose an existential threat to Pakistan, water is our lifeline, and we will never relinquish our rightful share under any circumstances,' he said. He termed India's threats to cut off water as a "clear violation of the United Nations Charter" and a "breach of the Indus Waters Treaty", calling it Pakistan's 'red line.' 'If India resorts to water aggression, Pakistan will be left with no choice but war,' he said. بھارت کی طرف سے پانی روکنا واقعی جوہری جنگ کا باعث بن سکتا ہے۔ پاکستانی سفارتی مشن کے سربراہ اور چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے برسلز میں ڈی ڈبلیو سے گفتگو میں کہا ہے کہ سندھ طاس معاہدے کی کھلی خلاف ورزی پاکستان کی ریڈ لائن ہے۔@BBhuttoZardari — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 15, 2025 The PPP chairman emphasised that while Pakistan does not seek war, it will not compromise on its national security or water rights. 'Despite India's involvement in supporting terrorist activities inside Pakistan, we have never advocated for war as a response to terrorism,' he added. Bilawal reiterated that while Pakistan continues to advocate peace, issues like water security are non-negotiable. After ceasefire with India, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Bilawal to lead a high-level delegation tasked with presenting 'Pakistan's case for peace' on recent Indian aggression to the international community. Read More: Bilawal vows strong response if India builds dams on rivers flowing into Pakistan The committee aims to engage with global leaders and institutions to raise awareness about India's actions and Pakistan's concerns regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. The government has also planned to send additional delegations to other countries as part of a broader diplomatic outreach.
Express Tribune
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bilawal fears Iran-Israel conflict could trigger World War III
PPP Chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday urged the international community to play its role in brokering an immediate ceasefire as the Iran-Israel military confrontation threatens to spiral out of control, warning that the world 'cannot afford this conflict to turn into Iraq 2.0 or World War III'. Addressing a press conference in Brussels alongside a parliamentary delegation, Bilawal expressed concern over growing regional instability and the potential fallout for neighbouring countries. 'We certainly don't want war on our borders,' he said. 'Pakistan has condemned the strikes that took place over the last couple of days in our neighbouring country, and we will continue to advocate for peace on all our borders — be it with Afghanistan, Iran, or India.' Read More: Iran says US, UK, France will be targeted if they intervene Criticising what he called global failure to resolve conflicts diplomatically, he said: 'It has become far too easy to wage war every month. What is wrong with this generation? You were supposed to protect us from the scourge of war through dialogue and diplomacy. Instead, full-scale war has become the default setting for any dispute.' Highlighting the generational consequences of war, he added: 'It is far easier for older generations to start these conflicts, but it's my generation that will have to pick up the pieces.' Calling for restraint in the Middle East, the former foreign minister said: 'I absolutely call on the international community to play its role in immediately imposing a ceasefire in this Iranian conflict with the occupying forces in Palestine. We cannot have another petrol war. It serves none of our interests.' لائیو: پاکستانی سفارتی مشن کے سربراہ بلاول بھٹو زرداری برسلز پریس کلب میں پریس کانفرنس کررہے ہیں۔ — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 14, 2025 Turning to regional issues, Bilawal reiterated Pakistan's desire for durable peace in South Asia, especially through resolution of the longstanding Kashmir dispute and water-related issues with India. He said Pakistan had consistently sought peace through composite dialogue, but India had failed to reciprocate. 'The international community must step up and engage with India. Military confrontation is not a solution to the Kashmir dispute or terrorism. Dialogue is the only way forward,' he stressed, calling it a 'moral obligation' for world powers to help both countries return to the negotiating table. The PPP chairman warned that escalation between two nuclear-armed states was not an option. 'Escalation is not a solution to the issues confronting India and Pakistan,' he said. He also criticised India for unilaterally suspending the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling it a direct threat to Pakistan's survival. 'This is the first water war between two nuclear powers. Pakistan considers it a war with no choice and seeks international community's help in this regard.' Also Read: Israel's Katz warns 'Tehran will burn' if missile strikes persist Referring to the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Bilawal said Pakistan had offered impartial investigations into incidents such as the Pahalgam attack, but India refused. He urged the United Nations to place the Kashmir dispute at the top of its agenda, as it had remained unresolved for decades. 'The Jammu and Kashmir dispute must be resolved in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions,' he said. Bilawal was flanked by parliamentary delegation members, including Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman, former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, former defence minister Khurram Dastgir, and others. 'We are here to present Pakistan's stance on recent tensions with India and expose New Delhi's anti-Pakistan agenda,' Bilawal concluded.
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bilawal warns India's ‘new normal' of hostility risks backfiring
Listen to article 'The politicisation of water through violations of the Indus Waters Treaty is a form of hybrid warfare,' said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday. 'If this continues, future generations will be at war over water.' Speaking to the media, he warned that India's assertion of a 'new normal' in cross-border conflicts risks damaging regional peace and stability, especially between two nuclear-armed neighbours. He chided Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks regarding Operation Sindoor setting a new standard. Bilawal noted that Pakistan acted with restraint and had only exercised its right to self-defence. 'The international community acknowledged our responsible behaviour.'. The comments come days after Pakistan and India agreed to a ceasefire following intense drone and missile exchanges. 'India's new normal of aggression is not sustainable and is certainly not in its interest,' Bilawal told state media. 'This approach, rooted in hate and division, only escalates tensions.' وزیراعظم کی ہدایت کے مطابق سفارتی کمیٹی کا مخلتف ملکوں کا دورہ کرنے سے قبل دفترخارجہ کی جانب سے خطے میں موجودہ صورتحال پر تفصیلی بریفنگ دی گئی۔ بھارت اور پاکستان دونوں ایٹمی طاقت رکھتے ہیں اور جب ایسے دو ممالک کے درمیان جنگ چھیڑی جاتی ہے تو اس کے اثرات صرف پاکستان اور بھارت تک… — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) May 21, 2025 Bilawal will lead a high-level delegation assigned by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit global capitals, aiming to brief foreign governments, media, and parliaments on Pakistan's stance and India's recent actions. He said durable peace in South Asia remains impossible without resolving key issues including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, cross-border terrorism, and India's alleged weaponisation of water resources. Accompanying Bilawal, Climate Minister Musadik Malik accused India of targeting civilians and building a false narrative of dominance. 'Their Rafale jets fell like birds,' he claimed, referring to Indian military losses. Former foreign minister Khurram Dastgir, also part of the delegation, said India's posture reflects an anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan agenda. 'This is not the conduct of a responsible state,' he added. The outreach campaign is expected to visit multiple countries over the coming weeks to explain Pakistan's diplomatic position following the recent military escalation.
