Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday said Pakistan could only be taken out of its political crisis through a political solution, stressing the need to agree on a single figure trusted by all stakeholders.

Addressing the main ceremony marking former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s 18th death anniversary at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, Bilawal said “the king of reconciliation” at present was President Asif Ali Zardari, whom he described as a leader capable of building consensus.

President Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto, Asifa Bhutto and senior PPP leaders were present on the stage. A federal government delegation, led by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, also attended the event.

Bilawal said 18 years had passed since Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, adding that people from all four provinces gathered at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh every year to send a message of unity to the world.

Praising the armed forces, he said Pakistan had defeated India on the battlefield, claiming such success would not have been possible without the sacrifices associated with Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. He linked those sacrifices to Pakistan’s emergence as a nuclear power.

The PPP chairman credited President Zardari with strengthening defence capabilities through cooperation with China, claiming aircraft acquired during his tenure were used to down Indian jets.

He said the foundation of Pak-China friendship was laid by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, strengthened by Benazir Bhutto, and institutionalised through the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor under President Zardari.

Bilawal said that Pakistan’s success in “Marka-e-Haq” was a victory for the entire nation.

Turning to domestic challenges, he said Pakistan faced serious political and economic crises that required urgent resolution.

He said parliament had passed the 27th constitutional amendment after removing controversial clauses, adding that the amendment fulfilled Benazir Bhutto’s pledge to establish a constitutional court.

Bilawal said the PPP wanted to resolve all issues facing the federation, stressing that instead of taking away provincial rights, the Centre should devolve more responsibilities. He said provinces could help address federal economic challenges by improving tax collection.