Bilawal says peace key to advancing Pakistan-Iran energy project

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project would be completed once regional conditions improve, stressing that peace would help reduce the economic burden on Pakistan.

Speaking in a statement, Bilawal said the conflict between the United States and Iran had increased economic pressures on Pakistan and expressed hope that lasting peace would bring relief to the country’s citizens.

Addressing the National Assembly earlier, Bilawal said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was trying to steer the country through difficult circumstances with a constructive approach, but some federal ministers were creating additional challenges for the government.

He urged the prime minister to exercise greater control over his cabinet, saying certain ministers were aggravating political tensions rather than helping resolve them.

Bilawal also criticized remarks made by a federal minister regarding Kashmir, describing the comments as inflammatory and questioning why the minister remained in office.

He said statements suggesting that residents of Rawalakot were not Kashmiris had complicated efforts to present a united political stance and noted that the minister had not apologized for the remarks.

The PPP chairman said political disputes should be resolved through dialogue and proposed that Fazlur Rehman be allowed to play a role in helping address the issue.

Bilawal reiterated that regional peace and political dialogue were essential for economic stability and the successful completion of strategic projects, including the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline.