Bilawal calls for creation of South Punjab province before discussing more provinces

Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that before creating a new province, the resolution approved by the Punjab Assembly should first be implemented as Senate committee had recommended the creation of South Punjab, and efforts should first focus on reaching consensus to establish this province before discussing additional ones. 

Talking to media in Lahore, a journalist asked Bilawal if he supports the division of Punjab. He replied that he was referring to the Punjab Assembly resolution and cannot even think of dividing Punjab.
He added that a local government law was recently passed in Punjab, and doing the same in Sindh would have faced significant backlash. He emphasized that consensus should first be built where agreements on new provinces already exist.

When asked about talks of banning PTI, he said that moving forward in politics requires reconciliation. Staying in a confrontational environment would worsen matters, and better conditions should be created. He clarified that he has no personal differences with PTI’s founder but disagreed with his approach. Reconciliation is necessary for political stability.

Earlier, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the government to conduct analysis of the potential of economic activities in each district so that potential of each district could be explored.He made the remarks while addressing members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Lahore today. Bilawal Bhutto assured that the concerns of the business community regarding electricity will be communicated to the federal government.

Addressing the business community, Bilawal said that country’s economy can be run with stick rather it should be run with facilities. He urged the government to honor businesses and brought them in tax net with bilateral cooperation.

He said that economic challenges of the centre should be addressed by all provinces, adding that sale tax of the FBR  should be collected by the province. He said f the province failed to meet the targets then Centre can cut the province’s share. He said there were three trillion leakages in sales tax collection. He said the provinces has their own challenges. Bilawal said the suggestion of the traders and business should be discussed and implemented by the government.

He said the burden of the subsidies should be abolished.

PPP leader said the provinces should collect the revenue and pass it to the centre, which would ease the federal government’s financial difficulties. He said that if the provinces collect more than the federal target, the surplus should be returned to them.

He added that a shortfall of three trillion in the collection of sales tax on goods. Bhutto-Zardari said the FBR should be shaped into an institution that enjoys the confidence of the business community. He said the trading community holds a vital place in strengthening the economy. Bhutto-Zardari said, “We shall continue to play our part in resolving traders’ concerns."

"Every Pakistani should pay tax not as a burden but as a duty. The federal government faces financial difficulties, and it is the responsibility of every Pakistani to help address them,” PPP chairman added.

Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples' Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has praised the Prime Minister and his team for their efforts in strengthening Pakistan's economy.