Latest news with #Bilawal
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Meet the Press' event: Historic victory achieved on 3 fronts in ‘war' with India: PPP Chairman
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said Pakistan achieved historic victory on three fronts in the war with India – at the military, diplomatic and in its narrative levels. Addressing the 'Meet the Press' event at the National Press Club, Islamabad, on Friday afternoon, Bilawal said, 'I appreciate the role of Pakistan's media, it played a responsible and successful role during the war. Within five days of war, the Pakistani media achieved a historic victory on the international stage and the world appreciated the role of Pakistan's media. Despite all challenges, the media successfully presented Pakistan's narrative to the world. Our youth defeated India on digital and social media platforms. The role of Pakistan's media has been historic and we are proud of it.' He said, 'You, the journalists, played a frontline role, and I value that. You did not compromise your credibility. During the war, Pakistan was transparent, while India spread lies not only through the media but also through diplomatic channels.' The PPP chairman also appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz Shairf and said that he (PM) made the right decision at the right time. He said 'the PM announced at right time that Pakistan is ready for international investigations about the terrorist event because our hands are clean.' He said India didn't even share its information with anyone about the incident. Bilawal said Pakistan had always advocated for peace and presented its narrative to the world in the best manner. 'We want peace globally. India claimed Pakistan is a terrorist state, but the world outright rejected that narrative. We speak not just for the Pakistani people but for the Indian people too. We don't want hatred to pass down through generations. The new generation will not accept India's message of hate. Kashmir is an international dispute. If war erupts between two nuclear powers, it will endanger global peace.' He said India conspired to label Pakistan as a terrorist state, adding 'we foiled that conspiracy.' PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said 'US President Donald Trump invited our Field Marshal Asim Munir for a meal — this is a major achievement for Pakistan.' 'India threatens to stop water — this is a violation of the UN Charter. We want peace, but if India stops water, there will be war — and we will win again. If we have to fight a war for water, we will,' he said. The PPP chairman said, 'The new generation wants peace. A ceasefire between Pakistan and India means dialogue should follow. In principle, India should engage in dialogue. The Indian prime minister told Pakistan's youth, 'Eat bread or face bullets'. President Trump's peace efforts are being sabotaged by India.' Bilawal said the reality is, India didn't expect such a strong response from Pakistan — and they didn't fly their jets because they feared they'd be shot down. 'If Modi says India didn't wish for a ceasefire, he should simply say once that Trump is lying,' Bilawal challenged Modi. Bilawal also condemned Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people, saying, it must stop immediately. 'Pakistan will not recognise Israel,' Bilawal said. He said Pakistan's stance at the United Nations is clear that peace can only come if the UN is recognised and respected. Speaking on US President Donald Trump inviting Field Marshal Asim Munir for lunch, he said Field Marshal Munir is the general who won the war, and it is a matter of pride for Pakistan that the US President invited the Pakistani military chief, the winner of the war, for a meal. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bilawal urges India to uphold ceasefire
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has divided Pakistan's victory in the war against India into three parts, highlighting significant success on the diplomatic and war fronts, including success in the narrative battle. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Friday, he said that they were told India was a big country and its resources were seven times more than Pakistan's, and it enjoyed friendly relations with superpowers. However, Pakistan managed to defeat such a powerful nation solely in self-defense and shot down six of its planes. Bilawal further highlighted the situation following the Pahalgam incident, stating that Pakistani ambassadors and representatives of the Foreign Office played a historic role at the diplomatic level. In line with directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the chairman said they worked diligently to convey Pakistan's stance to the international community, which ultimately recognized Pakistan's position. He praised the national media for its performance during the conflict between Pakistan and India. The chairman said that the role of the Pakistani media during the war was excellent, adding that its responsible coverage earned appreciation on the international stage. He contrasted this with the Indian media's narrative, stating that the world witnessed the lies being broadcast from across the border while recognizing the credibility and professionalism of Pakistani journalists. Bilawal called upon India to implement the ceasefire in principle, criticising New Delhi's stance as contradictory and based on falsehoods.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Bilawal explains why PPP supports federal budget
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday outlined his party's reasons for supporting the PML-N-led ruling coalition's second budget, saying key amendments were made based on PPP's input. Addressing the National Assembly ahead of the budget's passage, Bilawal explained why the PPP Parliamentarians – a major coalition partner – had decided to back the finance bill, despite earlier objections. The PPP's support comes just days after it strongly criticized the federal budget, accusing the government of discriminating against Sindh and threatening to boycott the approval process. A similar standoff occurred last year between the PPP and the PML-N, which the PTI had described as a "fixed fight" meant to deflect public scrutiny. Nevertheless, things remained largely calm between the PPP and the PML-N during this year's budget session. In his speech, Bilawal noted that the government had increased funding for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), a welfare scheme introduced by his mother & former premier Benazir Bhutto, by 20 per cent. The PPP leader criticized the previous PTI government for attempting to undermine BISP in every budget and commended the incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for consistently increasing its funding since assuming office. The PPP chairman further noted that the government raised the income threshold for tax exemption from Rs600,000 to Rs1.2 million annually. Additionally, he highlighted that the tax on solar panels was reduced from 18 per cent to 10 per cent following objections raised by PPP members. Bilawal also welcomed the decision to curtail the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)'s arrest powers. Under the new policy, arrests in tax cases can now only be made in instances of proven fraud and not at the inquiry stage. Moreover, such offences have been declared bailable. "These are the reasons why the PPP is supporting this budget," he said. Earlier, the PPP chairman chaired a meeting of PPP parliamentary party, attended by all PPP lawmakers. During the session, PPP members briefed Bilawal on their proposals regarding the federal budget. He was also informed about the amendments incorporated into the budget as a result of PPP's input. Bilawal was given a detailed briefing on the acceptance of the party's demand for a 20% increase in the budget of the BISP program, a party statement said, adding he was also apprised that the tax on solar panels has been slashed by nearly 50% in response to PPP's consistent advocacy. Bilawal was also informed about how the government withdrew the controversial amendments related to FBR's powers to arrest owing to PPP's strong reservations. On PPP's suggestion, the PPP lawmakers were told that the federal budget now includes a 10% increase in government salaries and a 7% rise in pensions. Moreover, PPP legislators were briefed that the party secured complete income tax exemption for salaried individuals earning up to Rs100,000 per month. Another key achievement highlighted during the briefing was the restoration of budgetary allocations for universities in Sindh following PPP's demand.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan's letters won't change India's stand on Indus Waters Treaty: Jal Shakti minister
Jal Shakti minister CR Paatil on Thursday rejected Pakistan's repeated letters asking India to lift the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling them just a formality that will not change India's stand. Pakistan's water resources secretary Syed Ali Murtaza has sent a total of four letters to India's Jal Shakti ministry since the Indus Waters Treaty was kept in abeyance on April 23. (PTI ) He said India has no plans to review its decision despite several requests from Pakistan. 'The water under the Indus Waters Treaty is not going anywhere,' Paatil said at a press conference. Responding to Pakistani leader Bilawal Bhutto's recent comments threatening India over the treaty, Paatil said Bhutto often makes such statements for political reasons. 'He also spoke of blood and water flowing, but we are not scared of such empty threats,' he said. Bilawal on Monday had said his country would go to war if India denies it its rightful share of water under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). India had put the 1960 agreement in abeyance soon after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Last week, Union home minister Amit Shah announced that the historic treaty would not be restored. Bilawal's comments came two days after Pakistan's foreign ministry criticised Shah's statement as a 'brazen disregard' for international agreements. Speaking in parliament, Bilawal rejected India's move to suspend the treaty and warned of retaliation. 'India has two options: share water fairly, or we will deliver water to us from all six rivers,' he said, referring to the Indus basin. Bilawal threatens war: 'If India goes ahead, we will have to wage war again' Bilawal, who leads the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), also threatened, 'If India decides to go ahead with this, we will have to wage war again.' Despite the rhetoric, he underlined the need for dialogue and cooperation on terrorism. 'If India and Pakistan refuse to talk, and there is no coordination on terrorism, violence will only rise in both countries,' he said. He also accused India of 'weaponising terrorism for political purposes' and claimed that during his foreign visits, it was clear India had lobbied hard to undo Pakistan's progress on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) front. Following the April 22 attack, India responded by suspending the IWT, halting trade with Pakistan, and launching Operation Sindoor on May 7 against terrorist camps in Pakistan-controlled territory. The operation triggered four days of cross-border clashes, which ended on May 10 after both sides agreed to stop military action. Meanwhile, India has formally requested a pause in proceedings related to disputes over the Kishanganga and Ratle hydropower projects, as it looks to take full control of its western river systems under the Indus Waters Treaty, officials said on Tuesday. In a letter to World Bank-appointed neutral expert Michel Lino, the government has called for suspension of the agreed work programme, which includes Pakistan's written submissions due in August and joint discussions planned for November. India had put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The World Bank has not yet responded to India's request. With PTI inputs
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt exempts income tax on annual salary below Rs1.2m
The salaried class was the most affected segment that paid a record Rs437 billion in taxes till April, which were 52%, or Rs150 billion, more than last year. photo: FILE Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Thursday that his party was wholeheartedly supporting federal budget after the government accepted its demands to exempt income tax on salaried individuals earning Rs100,000 and reduce sales tax on solar panels. The income tax on annual income of Rs1.2 million has been exempted on the PPP demand, said Bilawal Bhutto while speaking at the floor of the house. He further said that the government also agreed to the PPP's reservations about giving arrest powers to the Federal Board of Revenue. The government agreed that the arrest powers will only be limited to sales tax forgery and at the inquiry stage no arrest will be made, said Bilawal. The tax fraud will also be a bailable offense, said the PPP chairperson while announcing his party's agreement with the government on the arrest powers. Read: PPP hardens stance on 'draconian powers' for taxman The Express Tribune reported on Thursday that the PPP had refused to vote on the bill due to a the proposal to give arrest powers to the FBR. However, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar convinced PPP to withdraw the objections. Dar also told The Express Tribune that new safeguards have been added in the Finance Act to address the PPP's concerns. Bilawal said that the PPP had demanded that there should be no tax on up to Rs1m income. He said that now we are told that there will be no tax on salary of up to Rs1.2 million per annum. He said that the government also increased the BISP budget by 20% on the demand of the PPP. The government has allocated Rs716 billion for the BISP for the next fiscal year.
