Bilawal urges govt to stop 'fighting everyone'

"We have not seen such a crisis in our recent history," he said. He also warned that the consequences of the Iran war could persist even after the conflict ended. He described the situation as a major test for governments, stressing that public welfare must take precedence over political confrontation.

He urged the federal government to engage stakeholders rather than continue fighting political opponents. "If we remain engaged in fighting one another, with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf [PTI], with Maulana [Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman], with terrorists, with India and Afghanistan, then we will not be able to alleviate the suffering of the Pakistani people," Bilawal said.

The PPP chief maintained that political differences must take a back seat to efforts to address public hardships, adding that governments would be judged by their ability to support citizens through the economic difficulties.

On electoral reforms, Bilawal urged political parties to participate in the proposed Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms, describing it as a key platform for addressing complaints of rigging and strengthening democracy. He said it was the first time he had witnessed opposition parties, coalition partners and government representatives collectively raising concerns about alleged electoral irregularities.

If these grievances were shared, he argued, political stakeholders should work together to resolve them through the committee. Bilawal also called on the PTI to nominate its representatives unconditionally, saying the opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate had been empowered by party founder Imran Khan to make decisions about dialogue.

"If the PTI does not take part in this committee, then the people of Pakistan should not pay heed to their cries against electoral rigging," he said, adding that the opposition also shared responsibility for strengthening Parliament.

On Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the PPP chairman rejected claims that counterterrorism concerns were being used as a pretext to remove the elected PTI government through governor's rule. He maintained that the recent increase in terrorist activity and casualties represented a serious security challenge.

Bilawal said the threat from terrorists had increased following the change of government in Afghanistan, describing it as a ground reality. He also alleged that individuals imprisoned on terrorism charges had been released during PTI's tenure in the province.

While maintaining that elected governments were generally better placed to handle matters, including terrorism, he said the provincial administration had failed to protect its people. He also invited the PTI to resume negotiations, saying he would be the first to call for ending governor's rule if consensus was reached on countering terrorism.

"I invite the PTI to negotiate and request the government to engage with them. Do not close the door for talks," he said, recalling that his party had recommended engagement between the government and opposition.

On healthcare, Bilawal said the Sindh government was committed to ensuring that financial constraints did not prevent anyone from receiving medical treatment, describing access to healthcare as a "fundamental right of every citizen". He said efforts were under way to provide free medical services across the province.

He also stressed the need to strengthen higher education institutions and make quality education affordable. He said the provincial government was extending financial support to universities while encouraging them to become financially self-sufficient through revenue generation.

Meanwhile, Bilawal directed the government to ensure timely completion and quality execution of key infrastructure projects across Larkana division, including a revamped water and sewerage system for Larkana city and a new wholesale fruit and vegetable market.

The directives came during a meeting chaired by Bilawal at Bhutto House in Naudero, attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Bilawal's Political Secretary Jameel Ahmed Soomro, parliamentarians and senior government officials.

The meeting reviewed progress on three major initiatives: the water supply and drainage system in Larkana, relocation of its fruit and vegetable market, and a sewerage scheme in Shahdadkot. Briefing the meeting, Public Health Engineering Secretary Sohail Qureshi said the feasibility study for an integrated water supply, sewerage and stormwater drainage project in Larkana had been prepared.

The initiative aims to provide clean drinking water to every household while establishing a modern sewerage and drainage network across the city. The project is scheduled for completion within two years, he said. The proposed relocation of Larkana's fruit and vegetable market also featured prominently in the meeting.

Agriculture Secretary Zaman Narejo and Deputy Commissioner Larkana Tariq Manzoor informed participants that the existing nine-acre market would be shifted to a new 40-acre site equipped with modern infrastructure and facilities. Work on the new market is scheduled to begin in January 2027, with completion targeted within two years.

On the Shahdadkot sewerage scheme, Qureshi of the work had already been completed and the project was expected to be finished next year. Concluding the meeting, Bilawal directed the relevant departments to adhere strictly to the agreed timelines and ensure that development work met the required quality standards.