ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari voiced his strong support for a democratic future in Pakistan, asserting that the nation does not deserve another military coup. At the Annual Benazir Bhutto Memorial Lecture at the Oxford Union, Bilawal emphasized the importance of democratic governance, an independent judiciary, and free media as pillars of the country’s future.
“The people of Pakistan are right to demand a better future… they certainly do not deserve another military coup,” Bilawal declared, underscoring his commitment to his late mother’s legacy of championing democracy.
Paying tribute to his mother, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, he hailed her as an extraordinary figure who embodied the principle that “democracy is the best revenge” rather than seeking personal vengeance.
The lecture coincided with the anniversary of Benazir Bhutto’s historic tenure as the first female Asian President of the Oxford Union in Hilary Term 1977. Bilawal highlighted her significant role in advancing leadership diversity and later becoming the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority nation, dedicating her life to democracy and justice.
Bilawal recounted his mother’s resilience in the face of various challenges, including the tragic loss of family members to assassinations, including her own killing in Rawalpindi. He also praised her groundbreaking role in promoting women in leadership, such as appointing women to key positions like foreign minister and chief minister during her time in office.
On the issue of Pakistan’s nuclear program, Bilawal addressed the double standards he perceives in Western attitudes toward nuclear weapons, stressing that Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities are purely for self-defense. “We don’t have an expansionist policy… Our nuclear weapons are only for self-defense,” he stated, while questioning US sanctions on Pakistan’s missile program.
The session, moderated by Oxford University President Israr Khan, also featured a Q&A where Bilawal discussed human rights issues and democratic challenges facing Pakistan. He defended the PPP’s stance on controversial legislation, including the 26th Amendment and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), highlighting the party’s commitment to democratic principles.
The lecture was part of a series of distinguished past speakers, including former UK prime ministers Theresa May and David Cameron, President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili, and former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
