War against terrorism is our war, says Bilawal

SUKKUR: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday said the war against terrorism is our war, criticising Prime Minister Imran Khan for saying that was not Pakistan's battle.

The PPP chairman was addressing a political gathering in Sukkur with regard to 51st Foundation Day of his party, being observed across the country on Friday with a commitment to further promote and safeguard the party's ideology.

Speaking about the use of religion for political gains, he said religion should not be dragged in politics, however, added that dictators used it for politics in the past.

"The fire in which the entire country is burning today was ignited by the dictators," the PPP chairman said, stressing need to return to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's philosophy.

He said Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance, but this great religion was defamed on the pretext of terrorism.

Bilawal said this fire of extremism, terrorism and non-tolerance has engulfed the society.

"What would have the heirs of martyrs felt when the prime minister said this is not our war," he asked, adding, "Khan sahib whether you admit or not, this is our war."

'Leader stands by his commitment with people'

The PPP chairman also told the prime minister that a leader is the one who stands by his commitment with the masses.

He said if a person wants to become a leader then he should learn from ZA Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, who did not bow down before dictators.

Bilawal said the ones aspiring to become leaders should also learn from the PPP workers, adding, "A leader fights for his people."

During his address, he also slammed the rulers for taking U-turns on their promises made with the people.

'A favourite was handed over whole country'

The PPP chairman further said previously they were up against one 'favourite' individual, but now another has entered the field.

"This is a unique blue-eyed boy who asked for a moon to play, but was handed over the whole country," he said. "The fate of this favourite will not be different from the previous one."

Bilawal said this 'favourite' says one thing during the day and the other at night, and keeps taking U-turns one after another.

Former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari also addressed the gathering. Delegates from all the provinces as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan also attended the event.

The PPP was launched at a convention in Lahore on November 30, 1967. At the same meeting, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was elected as its chairman.

Among the key objectives of the party were "establishment of an egalitarian democracy and application of socialistic ideas to realise economic and social justice."