PPP will support pluralistic, inclusive, democratic govt Afghanistan

• PPP will support pluralistic, inclusive, democratic govt Afghanistan 

• National Action Plan 

• Kabul fall coincided with terrorism incidents in Pakistan 

• Security of CPEC projects be reviewed 

• Parliament be taken into confidence 

• Can’t rely on just fencing off the border

• Doors open for PML-N and JUI 

• Murad Ali Shah to continue

KARACHI, August 17: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the PPP will support a pluralistic, egalitarian, inclusive and democratic government in Afghanistan that ensures peace, security, life and liberty for all people. He also expressed concern over the situation being faced by the people in Afghanistan and called on all stakeholders to move forward to peace.

Addressing a press conference at the Chief Minister’s House after the meeting of the PPP Central Executive Committee CEC on the current situation in Afghanistan and the political situation in Pakistan, the PPP chairman said he was concerned for Afghan brothers and sisters, who have been facing decades of instability and violence with great courage and fortitude. Bilawal Bhutto said he was concerned for all citizens of Afghanistan, especially women, youth and minority communities. He urged that the citizens of Afghanistan should be allowed to observe the holy month of Muharram freely, and this was a litmus test for Afghanistan.

National Action Plan

PPP Chairman said that he had been sounding a warning regarding the situation the Pakistan could face. “Now the government of Pakistan should not fall prey to any expediency on the issue of terrorism, rather it should implement the National Action Plan”, he maintained. He further said that there are various terrorist groups that have targeted Pakistan’s citizens and security forces, and a clear message must be sent to such groups that the Government of Pakistan would not tolerate such activities in the country.

Kabul fall coincided with terrorism incidents in Pakistan

He said that the fall of Kabul and Afghanistan had coincided with terrorism incidents in Dasu, Quetta and Karachi. If the government does not continue to implement the National Action Plan, there is a danger that such incidents will increase. “We should all hope for the best, but we should be prepared for any situation,” the PPP chairman said.

Security of CPEC projects be reviewed

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari further said that the security of CPEC projects should be reviewed and those working on them should be given full security. He said that it was very important for the Government of Pakistan to engage nationalist groups and reach out to them to find a peaceful solution and make them believe in a United Pakistan. “The only way forward is to find a peaceful solution and address the grievances of disillusioned youth across the country who   are finding their identities in nationalist causes”, he added.  He urged that the government should engage honestly and then will have to stick to its promises.

Parliament be taken into confidence

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that it is an immediate and preliminary response of the PPP to the current situation and over time it’s policies would evolve in line with the emerging situation. He demanded the Government take the parliament into confidence on the situation in Afghanistan and to follow the procedure of the Senate resolution in formulating a better foreign policy.

Can’t rely on just fencing off the border

“Everyone is watching the situation in Afghanistan closely and encouraging it to negotiate a representative system that includes all communities. “We can’t rely on just fencing off the border in Pakistan. If the law and order situation in Afghanistan improves, we will not see the influx of refugees, but if that doesn’t happen, we will see a mass exodus from Afghanistan to Pakistan,” he said.

About PML-N and JUI

Replying to yet another question on ties with PML-N and JUI-F, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the doors of PPP were open for all.

Murad Ali Shah to continue

To a question about the Chief Minister of Sindh, he said that he has three names for the post of Chief Minister of Sindh, and they are “Murad Ali Shah, Murad Ali Shah, and Murad Ali Shah”.