KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned that imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) would be a “political atomic bomb”, urging the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to resume parliamentary engagement and resolve political differences through dialogue.
Speaking on Friday at the inauguration of a 25-acre Karachi Metropolitan Corporation sports complex in Baldia Town, Bilawal said extraordinary constitutional measures should be considered only as a last resort.
“Imposing an emergency in K-P is an atomic bomb and will only be considered as the last resort,” he said, warning that such a move could narrow political space for parties across the country.
Bilawal urges PTI to return to Parliament
The PPP chairman accused the PTI of weakening its political position through confrontation with political parties, the federal government, Parliament, the judiciary and the establishment.
He said the party should prioritise the concerns of K-P residents and return to parliamentary proceedings, committee meetings and engagement with other political forces.
Bilawal argued that the PTI could improve its political standing through democratic participation rather than continued confrontation.
“You will not disappoint the voter in K-P if you amend your politics, return to parliamentary committees and interact with other political parties,” he said.
His remarks came as the PTI continued its long march demanding the release of its jailed founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.
Emergency measures remain a last resort, says Bilawal
Bilawal said the PPP did not want governor’s rule or an emergency imposed in K-P, despite describing both as constitutional and legal options.
He claimed that the federal government and political stakeholders had been prepared to consider such measures about a week earlier. However, he said the provincial leadership’s approach was making dialogue increasingly difficult.
“We do not want that the last option for the PPP of governor’s rule or emergency should be exercised, but it seems that the K-P CM is leaving no space for political engagement,” he said.
Bilawal also raised concerns about the province’s security situation, alleging that the provincial government was not cooperating adequately with counterterrorism efforts.
He questioned how he could oppose emergency measures outright if security concerns persisted and cooperation between the provincial and federal governments remained limited.
These remarks reflected Bilawal’s position on the issue; the supplied report did not include a response from the K-P government.
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PTI urged to pursue electoral reforms
The PPP chairman also called on the PTI to participate in parliamentary efforts to address complaints about electoral processes.
He pointed to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s agreement to establish a parliamentary committee on electoral reforms after months of discussions, arguing that opposition parties needed to participate if they wanted to prevent alleged irregularities in future elections.
“If you do not participate then how will we stop rigging in the future?” he asked.
Bilawal also suggested that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman could help facilitate negotiations between political parties.
He maintained that the PTI could protect its political future and pursue its objectives, including seeking relief for Imran Khan, by moving away from confrontation.
Bilawal cites Zardari’s imprisonment
During his remarks, Bilawal referred to the imprisonment of his father, President Asif Ali Zardari, saying that incarceration did not necessarily determine a politician’s long-term future.
However, he warned that continued political confrontation could prolong Imran Khan’s imprisonment.
The PPP chairman urged political parties to work together on national issues and economic challenges, arguing that political stability was necessary to improve public welfare regardless of which party held power.
Karachi sports complex aimed at engaging youth
Turning to the purpose of the event, Bilawal said young people should be encouraged to participate in constructive activities rather than being drawn into crime or political confrontation.
He expressed hope that the newly inaugurated 25-acre sports complex in Baldia Town would provide Karachi’s youth with opportunities for recreation, sports and healthy competition.
The inauguration formed part of his broader message that political leadership should focus on public needs while pursuing disagreements through democratic channels.
