Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has criticized the federal government for allegedly withholding a $400 million loan secured for flood victims. Speaking at an event in Quetta, Bilawal claimed that the loan, which he had personally obtained from the World Bank during his tenure as foreign minister, has been retained by the federal authorities rather than being distributed to the affected regions of Sindh and Balochistan.
Bilawal emphasized that both provinces are being treated unfairly. “The federal share should be given to Sindh and Balochistan,” he remarked, highlighting that international aid, including €700 million from the European Union, was secured through his efforts in collaboration with the Prime Minister to support flood recovery efforts.
He noted that while housing and road restoration projects are underway in Sindh with the help of the World Bank, similar efforts have not been extended to Balochistan. Bilawal shared details of an ongoing housing initiative in Sindh aimed at providing homes and land ownership to the homeless, ensuring transparency by outsourcing the project. The initiative is funded by the World Bank, the Sindh government, and additional federal contributions.
However, Bilawal questioned why such efforts were not being made in Balochistan. He lamented the federal government’s failure to deliver on promises, noting that despite securing $400 million for flood victims, the funds are still in federal hands, with the government instead offering rupees for various projects. He criticized the government’s lack of action, stating that “not a single house has been built over the past years.”
Bilawal urged the federal and provincial governments to work together to address the plight of Balochistan’s flood victims, stressing the need for durable housing solutions that could withstand future natural disasters. He also warned that international organizations might hesitate to offer future assistance due to the government’s poor handling of aid in the past.
The PPP chairman called for an end to the discrimination against Balochistan and demanded immediate action to fulfill promises made to the province’s flood victims. He expressed his willingness to secure further international funding if the governments demonstrate genuine cooperation and transparency.
