KARACHI: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called on JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to speak out against terrorism and contribute to efforts to address the security crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the debate over emergency measures and governor’s rule.
Speaking at a Karachi gathering marking the anniversary of the 2007 Karsaz bombing, Bilawal said the tragedy remained a painful reminder of the sacrifices made for democracy. He noted that JUI-F members had also been killed in terrorist attacks and said the threat in KP and Balochistan could not be ignored.
Bilawal criticised KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, accusing him of failing to cooperate with the federal government on counterterrorism. He said parliament should unite against militant groups and invited opposition parties to talks on ending terrorism and resolving the emergency in the province.
He also defended the federal government’s actions, saying emergency measures had been taken through constitutional and legal channels. The emergency was approved by President Asif Ali Zardari on October 11, following advice from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.
Bilawal further said the government planned to form an electoral reforms committee and invited opposition parties to take part. His comments followed criticism of the KP measures by Fazlur Rehman.
