KARACHI: Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has raised alarms over the escalating law and order crisis in Kurram District, criticizing the provincial government’s lack of presence amid the turmoil.
In a pressing call to action, he has requested a comprehensive report from the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Bilawal’s concern comes in response to reports of significant unrest in the region, where, over the past three days, 80 civilians have reportedly lost their lives. “The region is burning in the flames of unrest,” he stated, condemning the government’s silence as equivalent to siding with terrorists.
“Maintaining law and order is the foremost responsibility of the provincial government,” he stressed, pointing out the PTI-led KP government’s failure to safeguard its citizens.
“The loss of lives has left the nation grieving, and we cannot bear to see Khyber Pakhtunkhwa consumed by the flames of unrest,” Bilawal added, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention to restore peace in the troubled region.
In addition to addressing the security situation, the PPP Chairman also highlighted the importance of collective efforts to combat violence against women. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, he underscored the need to empower women and safeguard their safety, dignity, and rights.
Bilawal reaffirmed the PPP’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, calling for societal freedom from fear, discrimination, and violence. He stressed that violence against women is a severe violation of human rights and a significant barrier to achieving a just and equitable society. “We must commit ourselves to eliminating it from all aspects of life, be it at home, in the workplace, or public spaces,” he declared.
Further cementing his advocacy for women’s rights, Bilawal credited Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for laying the groundwork for gender equality through the 1973 Constitution, which protects against gender-based discrimination and promotes women’s participation in all aspects of life. He also paid tribute to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, praising her as a global icon of women’s empowerment, and highlighted her transformative initiatives such as the establishment of women’s police stations, the First Women Bank, and the Lady Health Workers Program.
Bilawal pledged to continue these efforts, honoring the legacy of his mother by working towards a society where women are safe, valued, and equal contributors to progress. He also acknowledged the contributions of President Asif Ali Zardari during his tenure, particularly through the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), a globally recognized poverty alleviation initiative focused on women.
