Bilawal Says Islamabad Has Failed, Calls for ‘Thar-Style’ Governance Across Pakistan

THARPARKAR, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday criticised governance in Islamabad and called for the development model used in Thar to be replicated across Pakistan.

Speaking after inaugurating Pakistan’s first coal-drying unit at Thar Coal Block-I, Bilawal said Islamabad had failed to deliver and argued that the federal capital could learn from the transformation achieved in Thar.

He said Islamabad should be run in the same way as Thar, presenting the region’s development as an example that could be followed elsewhere in the country.

The PPP chairman also rejected demands for the creation of new provinces, questioning the reasoning behind proposals to redraw provincial boundaries.

Bilawal argued that instead of focusing on creating additional provinces, policymakers should work to ensure that development similar to the changes seen in Thar reaches other parts of Pakistan.

His remarks come amid renewed political debate over governance reforms and proposals for new administrative units in the country.

Turning to Karachi, Bilawal strongly criticised political forces he accused of promoting division and hatred.

He said politics based on hatred would not succeed in Karachi and accused his political opponents of attempting to divide the city for political purposes.

The PPP chairman did not present his remarks simply as a political argument, linking them with development and energy projects being undertaken in Thar.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah was also present at the inauguration of the coal-drying facility.

Thar has emerged as an important component of Pakistan’s domestic energy strategy, with large-scale coal mining and power generation projects operating in the region.

Current production from Thar Coal Block-II stands at around 7.6 million tonnes of coal, while expansion under Phase III is expected to increase annual production to approximately 11.2 million tonnes.

Power generation capacity linked with Block-II is expected to reach 1,980 megawatts.

Combined electricity generation from Thar Coal Blocks I and II currently stands at around 2,640MW, with planned expansion expected to raise capacity to approximately 3,300MW.

The Sindh government has promoted Thar’s indigenous coal reserves as a way of strengthening Pakistan’s energy security and reducing dependence on imported fuels.

Bilawal’s latest remarks combine that development narrative with the PPP’s broader political position against dividing Sindh and creating new provinces.

His comments also signal that governance and development are likely to remain central themes in the PPP’s response to the emerging national debate over administrative restructuring.