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Tag: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

  • Bilawal Bhutto defends ex-PM Imran Khan’s visit to Russia

    Bilawal Bhutto defends ex-PM Imran Khan’s visit to Russia

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday strongly defended Imran Khan’s Moscow visit, saying there was no way for the former prime minister to know that Russia would invade Ukraine on the day he landed in the Russian capital.

    “As far the former prime minister’s trip to Russia, I would absolutely defend the former prime minister of Pakistan. He conducted that trip as part of his foreign policy and without knowing that — no one is psychic, no one has a sixth sense — there’s no way we could have possibly known that that would be the time [when] the current conflict will start,” Bilawal said.

    https://twitter.com/MediaCellPPP/status/1527401668916256770?s=20&t=KZ4uVQyjDUUPrLQdo_hRgA

    “And I believe it is very unfair to punish Pakistan for such an innocent action.”

    Pakistan, he said, was absolutely clear that it has to stand by the principles of the United Nations, including that of non-use of force, on this issue.

    “We are not part of any conflict. We do not wish to be part of any conflict. In fact, we would continue to emphasise the importance of peace,” he said.

    “We would continue to emphasise the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve this conflict as soon as possible. And we will certainly not take any side or take the side of any aggressor within this context.”

    Twitterati praised FM Bilawal Bhutto for the way he defended not only the formal premier but Pakistan as well. Netizens did not spare this chance to compare Bilawal with Khan.

  • Pakistan wants to ensure rights to the women of Afghanistan: Bilawal Bhutto

    Pakistan wants to ensure rights to the women of Afghanistan: Bilawal Bhutto

     Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that Pakistan wants to ensure rights to the women of Afghanistan.

     The foreign minister in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour said, “I see women’s rights or women’s rights to education as rights granted to us in Islam. We’ll be emphasising that the Taliban keep their international commitments and ensure rights to the women of Afghanistan because these are rights guaranteed to women in Islam,” Bilawal said when he was asked if Islamabad had engaged with the Afghan Taliban on how Muslim countries can give rights to women.

    The minister said it wasn’t an issue of the West. He also said that the first word in Quran is ‘Iqra’, which means to read. “Nowhere is it written that only men should read. We are all meant to pursue our path to education.”

    FM Bilawal said that Islamabad is looking to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan to play its role in discouraging the increase in terrorist activity on Pakistan’s side of the border.

    “We continue to not only monitor this situation but work on our side to ensure that we can try to tackle the threat of terrorism and hope that the regime in Afghanistan lives up to their international commitment to not allow their soil to be used for terrorism.”

    “We must prioritise, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, ensure there’s no economic collapse and hold the Taliban regime to the international commitments. It was not Pakistan, but the United States who had direct communication with the Taliban regime before their takeover of Kabul. Pakistan and the international community believe it will not serve any of our interests if we abandon the people of Afghanistan once again,” said Bilawal.

    “We all believe, Pakistan believes and the international community believes, they will not serve any of our interests if we abandon the people of Afghanistan, once again,” said Bilawal.

  • ‘Yeh darmiyana hamara Foreign Minister ban gaya hai: KP CM Mahmood Khan

    ‘Yeh darmiyana hamara Foreign Minister ban gaya hai: KP CM Mahmood Khan

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership is underfire for passing sexist and derogatory comments toward Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz.

    “This darmiyana man has become our FM. May God bless him, how will he move Pakistan forward,” said Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan.

    “I said it earlier, if he is coming, we will move to Afghanistan, at least we will be able to live there,” added CM Khan.

    Former Education Minister of Punjab Murad Raas passed derogatory comments about Bilawal, Maryam, and another PML-N leader Attaullah Tarar.

    Former Deputy Speaker National Assembly (NA) Qasim Suri tweeted a picture of a PTI supporter holding a placard with an insensitive comment on Bilawal and shared it with the caption “lethal”.

    Netizens called out the three PTI leaders for their comments. Twitter reactions are as follows:

    https://twitter.com/TraumatizedUser/status/1525914501207539713?s=20&t=i4cFa-RH33uSXQLJJu78QQ
  • PM Shehbaz directs Interior Ministry to provide tight security to Imran

    PM Shehbaz directs Interior Ministry to provide tight security to Imran

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Interior Ministry to provide water-tight security to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan at his home in Islamabad and during political rallies.

    A statement given by a spokesperson of the Interior Ministry said that the police and other law enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure the complete deployment of security personnel assigned to the former PM.

    94 security personnel of police and FC have been deployed for the security of Khan’s Bani Gala House. In addition, 36 personnel of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and six personnel of Gilgit-Baltistan Police have also been deployed by their governments for Khan’s security.

    35 personnel of two security companies are also deployed for the security of Bani Gala House.

    During the movement of Imran Khan outside Islamabad, four vehicles and 23 personnel of Islamabad Police while one vehicle and five personnel of FC always accompany him.

    Under the supervision of the Interior Ministry, the threat assessment company is constantly reviewing matters pertaining to the security of Imran Khan.

    ‘I will tell you about poison added to food that causes heart attack’: Khan

    Imran Khan on Sunday said that if anything happened to him, the Pakistani nation will seek justice on his behalf. 

    Addressing a jalsa in Faisalabad, Khan said that the Supreme Court (SC) must take suo motu on the heart attack of Dr Rizwan, former director of the Federal Investigating Agency (FIA), who died of a heart attack. Dr Rizwan was an investigating officer in PM Shehbaz’s money laundering case.

    “I want the SC to take suo motu on the heart attack of Dr Rizwan. I will also tell you about the poison that causes a heart attack when mixed with food.”

     Khan claimed that he had recorded a video of the characters behind the “conspiracy” against his government, and if something happens to him, it will be released. 

    “If anything happens to me, the Pakistani nation will seek justice on my behalf,” said Khan.

    Criticising Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Khan said that since he is now going to meet United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken, he will “beg him for money” so that “Imran Khan could not come back into power,” adding that the US never helps any country without seeing its own interest.

    “The US will tell Pakistan to stop talking about Palestine,” he said, adding that the US cannot dare to dictate India because it is a free country. 

    “The US has made Pakistan a slave without having to invade it,” Khan said. “The people of Pakistan will never accept this imported government.”

  • One killed, at least nine injured in Karachi’s Saddar blast

    One killed, at least nine injured in Karachi’s Saddar blast

    One person was killed and at least nine were injured in a blast that rocked the Saddar area of Karachi late Thursday night when a a vehicle of Pakistan Coast Guards was passing by. Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA), an outlawed nationalist party, claimed the responsibility of the blast through social media. It said that the target was Pakistan Coast Guards.

    According to the initial report submitted to Chief Minister (CM) Sindh Murad Ali Shah by the DIG South, an improvised explosive device (IED) was planted in a bicycle. The blast occurred near the United Bakery.

    According to the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) officials, explosive material was planted in the carrier of the bicycle that was detonated using a time device.

    “The bomb was made locally and about 2 to 2.5-kilogrammes of explosive material was used in it,” said BDS, adding that “ball-bearings were used in the explosive material”.

    Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon has said that those responsible for the incident will not be spared.

    He said there was no threat of a blast at any particular place. Replying to a question, he said that the blast at the University of Karachi was a suicide bomb blast; however, it is too early to comment whether the two had any links.

    Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab said that the police and other law enforcement agencies were assessing the situation.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow after the terror attack.

    https://twitter.com/PMO_PK/status/1524832321492373522

    Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed his sorrow and sent heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. He directed authorities concerned to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan also condemned the blast and also sent his condolences.

  • ‘Khan threatened to impose martial law a day before no-confidence motion’, reveals Bilawal Bhutto

    ‘Khan threatened to impose martial law a day before no-confidence motion’, reveals Bilawal Bhutto

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday revealed that the night before the no-confidence motion, a message was sent to him to agree on early elections, otherwise martial law would be imposed.

    “A day before no-confidence, I was threatened by the previous government to agree to hold immediate elections or martial law can be imposed,” said Bilawal in the National Assembly session, adding that the threat was sent through a former minister.

    “The situation in Pakistan is at a crisis point; there should be no two views about it. Every institution of ours had been made controversial due to a selected man. The harm that Imran Khan and his former government have caused to the constitution, democracy, and institutions is before everyone. The former PM abrogated the constitution and attacked democracy. Former PM, deputy speaker, and the President on the nights of April 3rd, April 9th, and 10th till today are abrogating the constitution and refusing to follow it. How can this National Assembly, the Parliament ignore such an attack? Our constitution has been torn like a piece of paper in the past as well,” said Bilawal.

    “I am saying that we should take the attack seriously, and make a commission to investigate who was involved in this unconstitutional and undemocratic attack. As far as April 3rd is concerned, the Supreme Court clearly termed it unconstitutional in its decision. The people of Pakistan expect accountability of the former government abrogating the constitution while trying to escape a democratic process,” said the FM.

    Bilawal further said, “Since this attack was ignored, the former PM thinks that he is a sacred cow and is roaming in the country while making attacks that are against the national interest and our national standing. This political instability is harming our economy. He thinks he is invincible since it was ignored that a government was formed through the worst-rigged elections.”

    “We are not the undemocratic forces that used to call for accountability and elections, we do not believe in political engineering,” said Bilawal. The FM said that they had already demanded reforms. “We are democratic forces and we want transparent elections. Our demand earlier too was that we will carry out electoral reforms first, this is the clear policy of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).”

    Giving a policy statement on Kashmir, the Foreign Minister said that India has been occupying Kashmir illegally since 1948. India changed the status of Illegally Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and India continues to violate the United Nations, Geneva Conventions.

    Bilawal said that efforts were being made to convert the majority into a minority in occupied Kashmir. “We reject the report of the Delimitation Commission in Occupied Kashmir. The Indian government wants to stifle the voice of Muslims in Occupied Kashmir with new demarcations,” said Bilawal Bhutto.

  • Bilawal to visit the US this month: report

    Bilawal to visit the US this month: report

     Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is expected to visit the United States (US) in the middle of this month, reports The News.

    United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken invited FM Bilawal to visit the US.

    Read More: US Secretary of State calls Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto

    Antony Blinken invited Bilawal to participate in the Ministerial meeting on Global Food Security to be held in New York on May 18, 2022. Secretary Blinken also invited Pakistan to the Second Global Covid Summit to be held virtually later this month.

    Blinken telephoned Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on May 6 to congratulate him on becoming the country’s new foreign minister.

  • US Secretary of State calls Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto

    US Secretary of State calls Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto

    United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday telephoned Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to congratulate him on becoming the country’s new foreign minister.

    Bilawal Bhutto and Antony Blinken tweeted about the telephonic contact between the two counterparts.

    The two also vowed to engage with mutual respect. 

    It is being reported that Blinken extended an invitation to Bilawal to visit the US this month.

    “An invitation was also extended by the Secretary of State for Pakistan’s participation in the Ministerial meeting on Global Food Security to be held in New York on 18 May 2022,” read a statement issued by the Foreign Office.

    Building on the Pakistan-US cooperation in dealing with the Covid pandemic during the last two years, Secretary Blinken also invited Pakistan to the Second Global Covid Summit to be held virtually later this month.

  • BBZ follows ZA Bhutto, becomes Foreign Minister in 30s

    BBZ follows ZA Bhutto, becomes Foreign Minister in 30s

    Following in the footsteps of his grandfather Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has taken oath as 30th Foreign Minister of Pakistan today (Wednesday).

    The 33-year-old minister joined Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif-led cabinet in an oath-taking ceremony held at Aiwan-i-Sadr, Islamabad.

    He was elected as a Member of the National Assembly (MNA) in the general elections 2018. It is for the first time he will be serving as a member of the federal cabinet.

    Former PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto first took the charge of the Ministry of Foreign Ministry in 1963 at the age of 35 during the regime of General Ayub Khan.

    As foreign minister, Bhutto significantly transformed Pakistan’s hitherto pro-Western foreign policy. Moreover, he began asserting a foreign policy course for Pakistan that was independent of the United States (US) influence.

    Bhutto worked to establish stronger relations with China. Bhutto also signed the Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement on March 2, 1963, which transferred 750 square kilometers of territory from Azad Kashmir to Chinese control. 

    Moreover, Bhutto advocated hardline and confrontational policies against India over the Kashmir conflict and other issues.

  • Justice for Dadu fire victims, demands Twitter

    Justice for Dadu fire victims, demands Twitter

    Nine children, a woman lost their lives and more than 20 other persons including women suffered severe burns after a fire broke out in three villages in Dadu district of Sindh Province on Monday night.

    Dadu Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Irfan Ali Samoo confirmed the deaths.

    The fire reportedly broke out in the kitchen of a small hut. More than 150 buffaloes, cows, goats and other animals also perished in the fire.

    According to the affected families, the blaze started around 9 pm on Monday and raged throughout the villages, over the next 12 hours. No fire tenders reached the village until it subsided at 8 am in the morning, they said. Moreover, they told that even the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dadu and other officials had arrived after 12 hours

    The villagers later held a protest against the administration and urged the provincial government to take notice of the situation.

    Following the news, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said the federal government will take measures to provide relief to the victim families of the fire incident. 

    Due to devastating effect that the incident has left on people, social media users have strongly condemned it and questioned the incompetency of the concerned authorities.

    https://twitter.com/SaifSamejo/status/1516561598948659200?s=20&t=T1PFVBvdrZwfUzIpOmOZtA
    https://twitter.com/arshadalikhoso/status/1516714870342754310?s=20&t=T1PFVBvdrZwfUzIpOmOZtA