Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday vowed 100 per cent increase in salaries of all the government employees if his party came into power as a result of the upcoming general elections slated for February 8 next year.
Bilawal made the resounding promise at a public gathering in Upper Dir.
With the gusto characteristic of campaign rhetoric, Bilawal committed to an audacious promise: a staggering 100% increase in salaries for all government employees if the PPP secures another mandate.
Recounting PPP’s political history, Bilawal underscored the party’s tradition of bolstering government employee incomes, citing a notable 50% surge in basic pay during the PPP-led federal government’s tenure in June 2010.
The claim extended to a purported role in securing a 35% salary uptick during the previous government led by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
However, the political arena is not without its theatrics, and Bilawal did not mince words when lambasting the incumbent caretaker administration.
In his scathing critique, he pointed to historic levels of inflation, a palpable rise in unemployment, and an alarming increase in poverty, portraying a ruling elite seemingly detached from the struggles of the common citizenry.
In a bid to set a contrasting tone, Bilawal condemned what he termed the “politics of hatred and division,” urging a departure from such divisive strategies.
He asserted that, in the face of the country’s multifaceted crises, a more unifying and collaborative political approach was imperative.
Taking a direct hit at seasoned politicians, Bilawal attributed the nation’s woes to the “ego” of these political stalwarts, accusing them of prioritizing personal vendettas over constructive political opposition.
A particular target of his critique was the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which he clarified the PPP supported within the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to address economic challenges.
The accusation that the PML-N sought retribution upon assuming power was met with incredulity, especially given their past coalition partnership.
Amidst the political grandstanding, Bilawal took a moment to highlight the PPP’s historical accomplishments.
He pointed to the introduction of the 18th Amendment in the Constitution during Asif Ali Zardari’s tenure, emphasizing the party’s commitment to fully implement the amendment and the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
In a broader call for national unity, he advocated for a collective stance against the dual challenges of terrorism and inflation.
