Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, expressed optimism about Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif fulfilling his promises during a rally in Lyari.

Addressing the gathering, he commemorated the birthday of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto alongside the people of Karachi, emphasizing the deep historical ties between his family and the city.

Reflecting on his personal connection to Lyari, the PPP chairman highlighted that Benazir Bhutto had cherished moments with the people of this area, including her marriage and his own birth in a nearby hospital.

He praised the resilience of Karachi’s residents, noting their steadfast support for the PPP amid challenges.

Bilawal Bhutto underscored the party’s achievements under Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, particularly in addressing water shortages and electricity issues.

Regarding power outages, he noted that it is a nationwide problem, with load shedding lasting 16 to 18 hours across Sindh, Balochistan, southern Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He expressed concern that people are losing faith in federal power agencies.

He further announced that the Sindh government will launch a new project in the upcoming financial year to provide free solar systems to poor families and subsidized solar panels to the middle class.

The PPP identified unemployment as the country’s biggest issue, emphasizing that the Sindh government is developing projects to create job opportunities for the youth.

He recalled the popular saying about Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto: “Benazir will come, bringing employment.” He added that he has instructed the Sindh Law Minister to take legal steps to lift the court’s stay order on government jobs.

Bilawal stated that the incumbent government is taking steps to improve the economic situation. However, he emphasized the importance of consulting all its allies, including the PPP, before finalizing the budget to ensure collective confidence.

He noted that a PPP delegation is currently in discussions with the ruling party regarding the budget. “In these challenging times, we must all work together to manage the country,” he said. “I hope the Prime Minister will fulfill his promises. Our goal should not only to pass the budget but also to guide the country out of this economic crisis.”

The PPP chairman expressed concern over the current political crisis, noting the rise of divisive politics. He observed that politicians in Islamabad are unwilling to engage in dialogue with one another. He urged all political parties to come together for discussions to address the challenges facing the people and strengthen the democratic system.