PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday said Pakistan’s political and economic crises could only be resolved through political means, calling for the selection of a consensus figure trusted by all sides.

Addressing a gathering at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on the 18th death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal said reconciliation was the only viable path forward and described President Asif Ali Zardari as the “king of reconciliation,” capable of steering the country out of political polarisation.

He said the nation’s biggest achievement this year was defeating India “on the battlefield,” terming it a victory for the entire country.

He was referring to clashes with India in May, during which Pakistan downed seven Indian aircraft in air-to-air combat.

Bilawal said that India had yet to come to terms with its defeat in May and said the Indian prime minister now avoided global forums. He added that the aircraft that shot down Indian jets during the May clashes were procured from China under President Zardari’s tenure.

Bilawal said India’s defeat would not have been possible without the sacrifices associated with Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, arguing these sacrifices paved the way for Pakistan becoming a nuclear power.

Turning to domestic challenges, the PPP chairman said Pakistan faced deep political and economic crises that required a political solution.

He recalled that Benazir Bhutto’s final message centred on reconciliation, a theme she also addressed in her last book.

He warned that political extremism must be abandoned to overcome the crisis, adding that incidents like those of May 9 and the use of abusive language against state institutions did not constitute politics.

Bilawal said the country was engulfed in turmoil after Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, but President Zardari’s slogan of “Pakistan Khappay” helped preserve the federation.

Calling for responsible politics, he urged the opposition to act responsibly and governing parties to prioritise national interest. He reiterated that President Zardari was the only leader capable of bridging political divides at present.

Outlining his party’s agenda, Bilawal said the PPP sought solutions to all challenges facing the federation.

He advocated empowering provinces with greater responsibilities rather than stripping them of rights, arguing this would enable provinces to raise taxes and help resolve federal fiscal issues.

He highlighted the Benazir Income Support Programme as a key PPP initiative that continued to support vulnerable citizens.

He also cited the Sindh government’s post-flood measures, saying two million permanent homes were being built for displaced families, with ownership rights granted to women.

Bilawal further called for federal power distribution companies, including HESCO and SEPCO, to be handed over to the provinces, claiming provinces could deliver better performance and address public grievances. He said the PPP would work with the federation to find lasting solutions.