Bilawal lashes out at 'stone-age' Taliban
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KARACHI: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Peoples Party, on Saturday slammed the Taliban for trying to drag the country back to the “stone-age.”
Addressing a gathering during the closing ceremony of a two-week cultural festival in his home province of Sindh, Bhutto also urged the country to rise up against the threats.
“The Taliban want to impose the law of terror in the country, but I want to tell them, if you have to live in Pakistan you will have to follow its constitution,” he said.
“We don't accept the law of terrorists,” he added. “Some people are trying to bring back the stone-age era in the country in the name of Islam.”
“The terrorists should think of the time when the whole nation will stand against them,” he said in Makli, around 100 kilometres north of Karachi.
“We are Muslims and the terrorist groups should not try to teach us Islam.”
Nearly 7,000 people have been killed in the insurgency by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) since it began in 2007, according to an AFP tally.
The start of 2014 has seen a surge in militant violence with more than 130 people killed.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government has been under fire from political opponents for failing to mount a strong response to the upsurge in attacks.
The government has for months said it favoured talks with the Taliban but 25-year-old Bilawal has spoken in favour of military action against them.
The Taliban's demands include the nationwide imposition of sharia law and an end to US drone strikes.
Former premier Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in December 2007 by the Pakistani Taliban after leaving a campaign rally of her Pakistan People's Party.
Her husband and Bilawal's father Asif Ali Zardari was president from 2008-2013.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (81) Closed
Feb 15, 2014 06:28pm
Laudable
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Feb 15, 2014 06:39pm
First time since his inception, Bilawal has said anything that made sense. Good job on this one! Go and try to stop Nawaz Sharif and his terrorist negotiating party from peace talks. Pakistan Army should be launching a Taliban cleanout operation with a full military action against these terrorists rather than sweet talking with them.
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Feb 15, 2014 06:44pm
"Some people are trying to bring back the stone-age era" Yes exactly, that the PPP, they have been trying to do so in Sindh since the 70's, unfortunately, they have been only partly successful, one example is the education system.The education system there is a disaster but still not as bad as PPP would like to see it. They have tried to the same at the federal level, unfortunately their governments in the 90's never lasted more than 2 years. In the late 00's they had the fortune to complete their manadate, but they realised that unfortunately to bring Pakistan back to stonge age, it will require more them just 5 years.
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Feb 15, 2014 06:57pm
I am not a fan of PPP but I am glad someone has the courage to call speak the truth. The only way to peace in Pakistan is to defeat them. God bless you man!!
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Feb 15, 2014 07:19pm
Saying it like it is. A brave speech from one who has lost so much. When will Pakistan wake up to this cancer within?
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Feb 15, 2014 07:23pm
Making few statement sitting in your palace is very easy. Go fight Talibans then we will know that you are serious.
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Feb 15, 2014 07:48pm
In case you have'nt noticed, we are already in a worse shape than just being dragged towards stone age.
It is now a nation living a meaningless existence , without any hope, devoid of progress and robbed of its finances, it wasnt like this before.
I blame both the Talibans and the Corrupt Rulers,do you?
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Feb 15, 2014 07:52pm
All the other political parties should also take stance like bilawal against the terrorists.
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Feb 15, 2014 07:55pm
He has a famous name, stage, and a burning issue, facing people of Pakistan. Let us see if he has any guts to eradicate Talibans.
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Feb 15, 2014 08:08pm
Awesome! Our constitution is law of the country. ..
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Feb 15, 2014 08:26pm
You spent more than RS500 million ( 250Mil from the government and 350Mil from Sponsors) on the Sindh Cultural festival. The funds could have been used to provide seed for the upcoming crops, build infrastructure, roads, repair schools, hospitals and clean drinking water which are badly needed in the province. Our school buildings, hospitals , bridges, roads are falling apart and desperately need repairs. You used the funds to promote kite flying, dancing, music/ghazals, films, firework and sufizm. Shame on you for abusing your authority and damaging the ruins of Monjadaro.
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Feb 15, 2014 08:47pm
Because of your family's insatiable lust for money has already taken Pakistan into stone-age. Look at Sindh - just look at your province and ask your heart in which age you are living.
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Feb 15, 2014 08:59pm
PPP is the only party who is fighting against these evil. And that is why they are most hated party among educated urban living people of Pakistan. Let see how many comments comes against him espically people living in western countries.
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Feb 15, 2014 09:19pm
Can someone, anyone explain to me exactly what democratically held electoral process this immature infant went through to be named ...whatever it is he is named ????? This is arguably a clear case of nepotism in it's most perverse form....!!!!
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Feb 15, 2014 09:22pm
Bilawal Bhutto thank you for taking such a brave stand, as opposed to the government of Pakistan who is like a mouse without any courage and backbone. We must get rid of these scum who are killing innocent children women and men and destroying the country and cutting off peoples heads, all in the name of Islam, and thus destroying the image of Islam the world over. I will surely vote for you just for this reason.
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Feb 15, 2014 09:28pm
Taliban will not bring Pakistan to stone age, but definitely Pakistan Peoples Party will do this job, since 1971 PPP had the power of ruling Sind ,but look at the latest report of Education in Pakistan and especially Sind, the last three in the world and just three places above African countries and also the last in Pakistan, even after Baluchistan.
PPP should concentrate on education.
How about Education Show??
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Feb 15, 2014 10:02pm
Our comedian has spoken again! Before he starts to threaten the Talibans, maybe he should go and speak to his "daddy" and ask him why nothing was done, during his time of governance. Talibans were causing havoc even at that time and I bet if PPP was still in power, nothing would have been done even now. It is only because someone else is running the show, Bilawal has decided to speak for the people. His father was too busy robbing the country blind and couldn't care what people were going through. Bilawal - if you are so concerned, would you consider going personally to the troubled areas of Pakistan and see first hand, the devastation that has been caused by the Talibans, let locals know that you are on their side, possibly connect with the Prime Minister and the Chief of the Armed Services to see what actions must be taken, instead of traveling in bullet/bomb proof vehicles, surrounded by hundreds of security personnel and only making speeches, that really carry no weight! You are a comic and every once in a while, with all the stress we are going through, we do need a laugh!
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Feb 15, 2014 10:11pm
All the other political parties should also take stance like bilawal against the terrorists.
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Feb 15, 2014 10:17pm
It is quite Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's advance statement about peace talk between Pak. govt. and TTP. In every talk concerning parties set some conditions and these are finally settled through negotiation. Within that time there is a chance to come normal situation in people lives. Bilawal Bhutto's statement will narrow that opportunities and fuel more conflicts and distractions in Pakistan. So all political wings and stakeholders should facilitate the talk and try to reach a solution so that Pakistani people can get relief from drone attack and on going uncertain life.
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Feb 15, 2014 10:37pm
I may not endorse/join your party on many things, but Bravo, on this issue I and many many more will be with you. We cannot allow a small minority to dictate to the whole nation. No matter how loud or violent they are.
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Feb 15, 2014 10:40pm
This is overreacting.We should look at the hard demands. Taliban are obviously aiming at garbing the tribal areas.
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Feb 15, 2014 11:03pm
Interesting teachings on shariat received today. A new form of shariat, which is well-aligned with vulgarity and dance shows only in the name of culture. May allah guide these leaders and public towards path of success.
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Feb 15, 2014 11:05pm
When is nation going to get rid of these dynastic politicians ? He became patron -in-chief of PPP,, added 'Bhutto' as middle name just to hold power his birth right. Though he is right calling TTP as relic of stone age but question remains , what did his father AAZardari who was president for 5 years do to stop terrorism ? He stayed bunkered in Islamabad while terrorists were blowing up people all over the country.
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Feb 15, 2014 11:07pm
Looks like there is one person in Pakistan who is not afraid of these thugs.
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Feb 15, 2014 11:26pm
This young man is atleast showing his pedigree, unlike /hamza Shahbaz or Mariam Nawaz .
At least he is saying the right stuff and not being afraid to say it !
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Feb 16, 2014 12:24am
Brave words and did any one else notice his urdu is improving
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Feb 16, 2014 12:35am
LOL! Ok... By the way why does he carry Bhutto as his middle name? I'll give him credit when he lashes Taliban, not lashes-out at them ;)
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Feb 16, 2014 12:44am
Talk is cheap. Show by action.
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Feb 16, 2014 01:07am
Bold statement from a progressive leader. Hope rest of Pakistan follows his Ideology and vision to enter into modern era.
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Feb 16, 2014 01:33am
Thirteen Muslim Police officers lost their lives as they were on their way to protect Bilawal house.
Did he remember them in his speech?
Bogus phrases to challenge Taliban,"the ZALIMEEN" and declare Jihad on them.
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Feb 16, 2014 02:19am
For Bilawal's information, rural Sindh is also living in stone age. What did PPP do for their improvement despite PPP's total control in Sindh Government?????
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Feb 16, 2014 02:22am
We don't know how much backing this lad Bilawal has but we support his view point. But he must know that he will be in TTPs cross hair.
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Feb 16, 2014 02:34am
Hi last name is Zardari, so please refer him Zardari not Bhutto.
He can choose to live in UK where he has been educated. There he won't find stone age laws. We in Pakistan are happy to live under stone age law if Islamic law is stone age law.
Fazal Nizamani
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Feb 16, 2014 02:45am
Bilawal Zardari is correct on this issue. Pakistani Ummah have chosen their leaders and they are not the TTP. The TTP are an unlawful traitorous criminal enterprise, who would stand to be executed for murder under Sharia Law. Bilawal is able to speak out because he is to some degree protected by the Zardari and Bhutto tribesmen. The majority of Pakistanis agree with his statements, however they are rightly concerned about TTP murderers retaliation with violence if they speak out. Pakistani law enforcement, from the Judiciary to the Police are required by Pakistani Law to arrest, prosecute and execute the murderers, other wise the law they are delinquent in enforcing will not protect them when the TTP silences them with murders.
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Feb 16, 2014 03:02am
It is such a shame that Imran Khan chose to side with such a foolish narrative on militancy that such offspring of a corrupt political dynasty have a free ride, charging ahead well guarded in their fortresses in their ever so brief stays in Pakistan.
Bilawal, while I share your opinion on militancy, I shall only have respect for you if you resign from your hereditary chairmanship, pave the way for an open election in your party and ensure that party offers scholarships to those intra-party candidates who can not finance their own elections so true "ghareeb" emerge that your party so fraudulently claims to represent.
Otherwise, you are just another leech in the making.
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Feb 16, 2014 04:24am
Bravo Bravo, may you stay safe!
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Feb 16, 2014 06:11am
The young politician is at least showing some guts. He seems to have a spine, unlike his father and our current leaders who will go to any length to please the talibans.
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Feb 16, 2014 06:46am
Where was Bilawal when the Taliban was spreading across the nation?
Politicians like Altaf Hussain and Bilawal will never be confused with someone like Malala Yousafzai.
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Feb 16, 2014 06:57am
When did Bilawal, wake from his deep slumber ? Is he out of the stone age as yet ?
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Feb 16, 2014 07:07am
He has a great foresight
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Feb 16, 2014 07:37am
Bye bye, Bilawal..
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Feb 16, 2014 09:23am
Bilwal Twitter Zardari.. yet again..
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Feb 16, 2014 10:37am
I do agree with the 'stone age' bit but have no hope from the present PPP. Party is just too corrupt; does not have many decent educated people left in it. Governance is beyond them.
In the last 6 weeks there have been no drone strikes by the US
Pak military has also exercised restraint during this time
Yet you see TTP committing atrocities daily
It is clear that Taliban are after territorial power. The drone excuse is just a smokescreen. These criminals won't rest until they impose their twisted ideology or Salafism on the rest of the country.
All the parties, the people and the army need to unite against this menace
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Feb 16, 2014 10:55am
You wanna see stone age? Go to rural Sindh
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Feb 16, 2014 11:12am
He should criticize without hiding behind that bullet-proof glass screen and the high security presence.
At the Moenjodaro launch, there were 2000 police officers deployed to protect the 500 invited guests, who were flown in from Karachi on the public exchequer. Leaving aside the point that UNESCO and archaeologists protested against holding the event because of the damage the sound/lights would cause the ancient ruins, this security deployment meant that there were 4 police officers to protect 1 guest (Source: 2/2/14 article in Dawn). Compare that to the average in Karachi, where there is 1 policeman per 571 people (Source: 11/24/08 article in Dawn)!
It is these unprotected people in Karachi and KP who will be harmed by TTP reprisals if the war continues. Not Bilawal, nor his PPP leaders like Sherry Rehman or Sharmila Farooqi. They are from rich and influential families. They criticize the TTP while hiding behind a cloak of heavy security, which is financed by taxes. To add insult to injury, these scions of business and landed estates pay paltry taxes (if at all) - instead it is the salaried professionals who bear the burden of income tax and the poor who are crushed by the exorbitant 16% sales tax and double-digit inflation (due to printing money).
When Imran Khan pushes for dialogue rather than a blanket military operation that is likely to harm civilians (while the militants escape into the surrounding mountains), it is this group of average, unprotected Pakistanis in cities and KP areas that he speaks for. Not for Bilawal's 500 guests at Moenjodaro, who are each flanked by 4 policemen.
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Feb 16, 2014 11:48am
well Pakistan is already an Islamic republic of Pakistan and all the nation unitedly should run it not just few people, have a referendum and check out what the whole nation wants.
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Feb 16, 2014 12:41pm
Well, although I am not very fond of the extremely corrupt and disasterous regimes of his elders, and although I am not fond of him as he dwells from the same bloodline and cannot be expected to do anything for Pakistan as he does not know anything about Pakistan, I still agree with him on this point. Taliban are a major hazard, they are living in the stone age and want to take Pakistan back into the pre-historic and pre-Islamic times. However, what these animals without brains dont realize is that there is not going to be any more prophets of God coming to drive them out of the darkness anymore. The last prophet showed us the way forward, these idiots are showing us the way back to hell. Why are we talking to them anyway, what do we expect to come out of talking to wild animals that do not understand our language, are we seriously considering to make Mulla Fazlullah the president of Pakistan, have we forgotten what he did when we let him rule Swat, is anyone who looks like satan and kills 50000 people eligible to rule Pakistan, if that is the case, then we should consider hiring Bashar Al Asad for the job, at least he looks reasonable.
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Feb 16, 2014 01:00pm
Not a single Pakistani agrees with this guy ! Wow.
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Feb 16, 2014 02:20pm
Bravo, boy!
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Feb 16, 2014 02:58pm
It was a bold speech by Bilawal, he challenges the TT which I doubt any of current politician have the courage to do. After this speech TT might be re-arranging there hit list but let me tell to them one who got a courage shouldn't be afraid of them.
My hats off to you Bilawal.
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Feb 16, 2014 03:36pm
The man is the lone sane voice in this land of pure. He is refusing to sink, he wants to stay alive!
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Feb 16, 2014 04:08pm
If it wasn't for our imported mobile phones, TV's, cars, planes etc. we are actually still living in the stone age! We have no gas, electricity and water, we virtually import every known commodity. I think if the people of mohanjo daro are awakened today, they will feel they were a 100 years in the past.
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Feb 16, 2014 04:17pm
At least he has the guts to speak out! few thumbs up,, ok. I think majority of Pakistanis love stone age, good for them... your piece of cake guys....
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Feb 16, 2014 04:23pm
@adnan:
Well done adnan.i fully agree with you
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Feb 16, 2014 05:05pm
@Muhammad:
good one mate
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Feb 16, 2014 05:42pm
@kamaljit Singh: Dear Singh this is one of our greatest tragedies
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Feb 16, 2014 05:48pm
@adnan: In one breath you are spitting venom against Bilawal and in other you are supporting his stance.It is worst type of hypocrisy.
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Feb 16, 2014 05:51pm
@Muhammad:
And why not to KPK and Balochistan
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Feb 16, 2014 05:54pm
Bilawal is our hope.He is brave, educated and talented.He can do a lot for Pakistan.Best of luck Bilawal
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Feb 16, 2014 06:33pm
Look! who is talking ? Bilawal , i don't think so , he can contribute anything wise to this current scenario . He is just flying with words that's it , probably that is what he has learnt so far. i don't support Taliban's statement like that. being a Muslim , this Country should abide by Islamic Sharia but not the way Taliban wants it to. I Don't really believe in these lousy politicians they are all same. Earlier there was no point for these Taliban to bring sharia ? how they have gone empowered and started demanding sharia ? i totally disagree with this guy bilawal he should not come up with bold statements like this . because i reckon , His parent's regime has already taken us to days of stone .
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Feb 16, 2014 06:42pm
All political rhetoric by Bilawal. After all, he has Bhutto blood in his veins. First it was ROTI, KAPRA aur MAKAN now the slogan is against the Talibans. The Bhuttos only know how to play with prevailing emotions. The PPP has been in power for a good number of years starting from Bhutto and ending with Zardari. What did they achieve? Did they EVEN try to solve the basic needs of the people of Pakistan? Why was an all out operation not ordered against the Talibans. These are just shallow statements nothing more!
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Feb 16, 2014 06:43pm
@Azmat Khan:
because Bilawal is from rural sindh. when he and his family have not done anything to get sindh out of stone age .... do I need to say more???
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Feb 16, 2014 07:06pm
@ Muhammad - That is why he spends most of his time abroad and fights the TTP through Twitter.
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Feb 17, 2014 03:40am
@TK: You mean he should come out in the public without security so that the Taliban or any other hostile person can eliminate him conveniently.He is already on the Taliban hit list.By the way how many other political leaders are roaming without security?
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Feb 17, 2014 03:43am
@Muhammad:
Do you mean Moen jo daro.Have you seen stone ages?
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Feb 17, 2014 03:47am
@Seedoo:
His father never bowed before the terrorists as you want to do.
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Feb 17, 2014 03:59am
@Qamar:
Do all other three provinces have each and every facility and amenity.And they have nothing to do except reveling, rejoicing and dancing? I do not know.
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Feb 17, 2014 04:06am
@SAK: You need not worry the Taliban are bringing you a Sharia when there will be no culture shows and singing or dancing.All un islamic things will be gone for ever and there will be seen only peace and prosperity..Please wait
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Feb 17, 2014 06:17am
@janan:
Yes he is brave because he make these statements sitting in a fort like palace.
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Feb 17, 2014 07:55am
@Azmat Khan:
What I am happy to feel about is that some one has dared to say, in simple words ,what they are doing in the name of Islam. I think until now nobody was so straight forward.Pakistanis need to look forward . No need to say what his father was doing or his mother. Give him a chance.
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Feb 17, 2014 08:52am
Go away twitter boy
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Feb 17, 2014 09:16am
baby where were you at the time of your 5 YEAR govt. term , why were u silent ???
same politics that PML played , do this we will do that against TTP . . and so on
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Feb 17, 2014 09:52am
You think Taliban will force country in stone age ?? are they using stones to attack or high tech assault rifles ??
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Feb 17, 2014 12:15pm
Finally, a sensible person who calls a spade a spade.
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Feb 17, 2014 04:10pm
All this dialogue baazi by this guy, and other politicians, is getting very annoying and repetitive. Will they actually get something done? Not very likely.
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Feb 17, 2014 07:50pm
I was sick n tired of inability and corruption of last ppp government but can't wait to admire their bold stand against the killing machines.
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Feb 18, 2014 04:32am
beta, zara abba se pocho why he was reluctant to make the same statement?
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Feb 18, 2014 02:28pm
This is sibling rivalry, Bilawal and TTP are both Benazir's creations.
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Feb 18, 2014 06:33pm
Bilawal still doesn't get it. He still thinks we are all stupid.
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Feb 18, 2014 07:47pm
He must be reading comments on dawn to point out this right thing about someone bringing stone age. Pak really needs a militaty rule again which will wipe out the sadness of terrorism in pak and only then pak can return back to a secure civilian govt !
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Feb 18, 2014 09:56pm
@kamaljit Singh:
Slogans are lot easier than actions. This guy spent RS 600 mIl (Rs250MIl Government funds) on Sindh festival to promote himself, kite flying, music, dancing and films. He is color blind and does not want to know that 60 % of the children in Sindh are not enrolled in schools; no school buildings, no hospitals, no graduate teachers, no paved roads and no clean drinking water. There were 2,000 police officers protecting the 500 guests and hundreds of his own body guards. Do you really think that this guy can move the country forward on the road to prosperity? There are people who spend years to build their own fortunes (sometime illegally) and there are others who pave the way for others to succeed. His actions indicate that he not one of the helpers.
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