CHINIOT (MNN); PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday said that former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan was now facing “karmic justice,” as he praised the 14-year jail term awarded to ex-ISI chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid as a landmark ruling.
Speaking to the media in Chiniot, the former foreign minister said he had seen “two political pharaohs,” adding that Imran Khan once used the power of his office to intimidate others but was now facing the consequences of his own decisions.
He remarked that the punishment handed to Gen (retd) Faiz was “historic” and reflected the gravity of the charges against him.
Bilawal said that accountability applied to all, recalling that PPP leader Faryal Talpur and PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz had been jailed in the past. “Today, the PTI founder is himself behind bars—this is karmic justice,” he commented.
The PPP chairman also dismissed speculation about any discussion regarding governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, though he noted that the PTI-led provincial government was steering itself towards conditions that could justify such a move.
He insisted that the PPP remained committed to provincial autonomy and said that Pakistan’s economy was stabilising, giving credit to the PDM government.
Earlier in the day, ISPR confirmed that Faiz Hamid had been convicted on four charges, including political interference, violating the Official Secrets Act, misuse of authority, and causing unlawful harm. A field court martial sentenced him to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment.
Bilawal, speaking during a condolence visit to the residence of PPP Punjab leader Syed Hassan Murtaza, alleged that the PTI’s “confrontational politics” was itself inviting strict federal action. He pointed out that constitutional options—including governor’s rule—already existed.
He added that Imran Khan, who once threatened to jail political rivals, was now being held accountable under the same law.
Just a day earlier, Bilawal had urged the PML-N to give political space to the PTI, emphasising that strong democratic systems require an empowered and active opposition.
On the 27th Constitutional Amendment, Bilawal praised its passage, saying it fulfilled the dream of his mother, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, by establishing a constitutional court with equal provincial representation. He added that the amendment also secured the provincial shares protected under the 18th Amendment.
He said the PPP had not yet been consulted on the proposed 28th Amendment.
Criticising the Federal Board of Revenue for poor performance, Bilawal said that inefficiency in tax collection was fuelling the government’s financial troubles. He suggested comprehensive reforms to strengthen revenue generation.
Bilawal said the country’s economic indicators had improved since the PDM took charge, but stressed the need to boost exports and support farmers. He highlighted the Sindh government’s initiative to provide free fertiliser to small farmers to improve crop yields.
Concluding his three-day organisational tour of Punjab, he described his interactions with party workers as highly productive.
