Lahore July 11 2025 — In a move poised to reshape political dynamics across Sindh and Punjab, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr grandson of former Prime Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto has officially announced the formation of a new political party. The declaration came during a press conference at the Lahore Press Club where Bhutto Jr unveiled a bold political agenda centered on agrarian reform labor rights and constitutional provincial autonomy
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This development marks a significant turning point as Bhutto Jr not only enters the political arena with renewed vigor but also positions himself as a direct critic of the current PPP leadership
A Return to Bhuttoism Power to the People
Bhutto Jr stated that the new party would be rooted in the ideology of his grandfather “Bhuttoism” a philosophy combining socialism public empowerment and pro poor governance. He lamented that the current political elite had strayed from these ideals particularly in their neglect of Pakistans rural population
“Farmers and laborers have long been ignored” Bhutto Jr said “Its time to return power to the people and stand up for their rights”
The partys slogan “Jiay Awam” Long Live the People reflects its populist ethos. Early reactions from political observers and grassroots activists suggest that this message could resonate strongly among rural and working class communities especially those disillusioned with the PPP
Provincial Autonomy and Water Equity at the Core
A foundational pillar of Bhutto Jrs platform is a strong endorsement of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution which ensures greater provincial autonomy. He warned against ongoing efforts to weaken this amendment and stressed the urgent need for devolution “in letter and spirit”
He also condemned a federal proposal to build six new canals diverting water from the Indus River to Cholistan arguing it would jeopardize Sindhs already diminished water supply. He called for a national water sharing framework modeled on the Sindh Accord to ensure equitable distribution across provinces .
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Opposition to Corporate Land Grabs and the “Green Pakistan” Agenda
Bhutto Jr issued a stern critique of the federal governments “Green Pakistan” initiative accusing it of facilitating land grabs under the pretense of environmental reform. He alleged that large agribusinesses empowered through public private partnerships were taking over farmland at the expense of smallholders
He was joined by civil society activists including Dr Ammar Ali Jan and Ghulam Abbas of Anjuman Mazarin Punjab who condemned exploitative loan practices and called for the cancellation of predatory debts burdening poor farmers
Challenging the PPP from Within
The new party presents a rare intrafamily political challenge as Bhutto Jr now stands in opposition to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the PPP chairman and his cousin. Analysts believe this split could lead to a dramatic reconfiguration of power especially in Sindh where the PPP has ruled uninterrupted since 2008
Bhutto Jr argues that todays PPP has abandoned its foundational principles and his campaign seeks to reclaim that legacy for the marginalized
Public Reactions and Future Prospects
Public response has been cautiously optimistic. Social media users praised Bhutto Jrs effort to connect with local communities highlighting his command of Sindhi and Urdu and his grassroots engagement. Others questioned whether his challenge to entrenched power structures could gain lasting momentum
Born in Damascus in 1990 and educated at the San Francisco Art Institute and the University of Edinburgh Bhutto Jr is also known for his activism and performance art. His prior involvement in the PPP Shaheed Bhutto faction laid the foundation for this more direct political venture
Conclusion
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jrs announcement of a new political party signals the possible emergence of a powerful farmer centered alternative grounded in constitutional rights and social justice. Whether his movement will achieve electoral success or remain a symbolic revival of Bhutto era politics remains to be seen. However one thing is clear the longstanding political monopoly in Sindh now faces a credible new challenge from within its own legacy .