In the July 25, 2018, general elections in Pakistan, the Pakistan Peoples Party, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, emerged victorious, becoming the largest party in Sindh and the third-largest overall in the country. The party secured 43 seats in the National Assembly, marking an increase of nine seats compared to the 2013 elections.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was elected to the Pakistani National Assembly on August 13, 2018. Following his maiden speech in parliament, Bilawal received acclaim from journalists, politicians, and the Pakistani public. In his address, he called on Prime Minister Imran Khan to fulfill his promises to combat corruption, address water issues, create ten million jobs, and build five million homes for the population.
On March 5, 2019, Bilawal was unanimously appointed to lead the Standing Committee on Human Rights of the National Assembly. During the committee’s inaugural meeting on April 18, 2019, discussions included the National Commission on the Status of Women (Amendment) Bill and the ICT Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, both proposed by the government.
Bilawal has been a vocal critic of the One Unit system and has consistently warned against any attempts to implement a presidential system, emphasizing that such moves would not be in the interest of democracy. He has also been an advocate for media freedom, criticizing censorship and likening restrictions on media to living under a dictatorship.
In an interview with the BBC, Bilawal outlined his vision to realize his mother’s aspirations for a “peaceful, progressive, successful, democratic Pakistan.” He emphasized the importance of empowering women and ensuring their inclusion in decision-making processes as essential for the nation’s advancement. Bilawal is a staunch advocate for women’s rights and has actively supported initiatives such as meeting with women’s rights activists led by Sheema Kirmani, delivering speeches on the International Day of the Girl Child, and advocating for the abolition of child marriages in Pakistan.
Bilawal has also been a strong advocate for minority rights in Pakistan. On December 25, 2018, during a Christmas cake-cutting ceremony in Karachi, he reaffirmed the PPP’s commitment to social justice, religious harmony, and interfaith cooperation. He visited Hindus in Ghotki on September 29, 2019, condemning the attack on the Sacho Satram Dham temple during the 2019 riots in Ghotki.
To demonstrate solidarity with the Kashmiri people, Bilawal met with the Kashmir Council on February 6, 2019, in Washington. He pledged to continue speaking out against the alleged atrocities committed by Indian forces against innocent Kashmiris, both domestically and internationally.
Addressing a gathering in Washington on February 18, 2018, Bilawal highlighted the increasing challenge of terrorism in Pakistan and emphasized democracy’s role in countering extremism. He criticized the government for failing to effectively implement the National Action Plan, which he viewed as crucial for national peace and democracy. Bilawal also called for the dismissal of three federal ministers over alleged connections to banned extremist groups.
On April 27, 2022, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was sworn in as Pakistan’s foreign minister, becoming the country’s youngest person to hold the office. He continued to strengthen Pakistan-China relations, meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on May 21, 2022, in Guangzhou, where he underscored Pakistan’s commitment with the statement, “An attack on China is an attack on Pakistan.”
