Economy Needs Facilitation, Not Force
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told the business community in Islamabad that Pakistan’s economy cannot be sustained “through coercion.” He emphasized that the Pakistan Peoples Party stands for providing facilities and incentives to traders, noting their historic role in strengthening the economy.
PPP vs PML‑N Economic Vision
Bilawal acknowledged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s positive approach toward traders but drew a distinction between the two parties: PPP favors decentralization to empower provinces, while PML‑N places greater reliance on the federal center.
Trade Expansion and CPEC Legacy
Highlighting PPP’s role in initiating the China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Bilawal said his tenure as foreign minister further deepened ties with Beijing. He also claimed that efforts to expand trade with Europe had led to a 60% surge in exports to European markets.
Taxation Challenges
Bilawal pointed out that after the 18th Amendment, provinces improved their collection of sales tax on services, with Sindh leading the way. He stressed the urgency of plugging a 30 trillion rupee leakage in the tax system and expanding the tax net. He proposed rewarding provinces that exceed tax targets with additional resources, while reducing allocations for those that fall short.
Energy and Social Commitments
On energy, Bilawal said PPP contributed affordable electricity projects to the national grid. He reiterated the party’s manifesto pledge to provide 200 units of free electricity to low‑income households, underscoring PPP’s focus on social welfare.