Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's Shehbaz Sharif who is the former prime minister of Pakistan has gone to the residence of Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Pakistan People’s Party's Bilawal Bhutto was also a candidate in Pakistan's elections. Results are awaited for the final declaration from the election commission to find out who indeed has won the elections and would become the next prime minister of Pakistan. Watch to know more!

Pakistan Elections 2024: Shehbaz Sharif holds meeting with PPP chief in Lahore

With the general elections just a week away, campaigning has peaked in Pakistan. One of the three main parties in the fray is the Pakistan Peoples Party, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Our Pakistan bureau chief, Anas Malick, caught up with him on a range of issues, including the party's electoral prospects, the possibility of allying with current rivals and his party's approach towards neighbour India.

WION Exclusive: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari speaks out electoral prospects, range of issues

The ground for the next general elections is ready in Pakistan and so are the candidates. The country will go to polls in two weeks. Pakistan People's Party chairman, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has now challenged PML-N supremo, Nawaz sharif to an open debate. While the Nawaz faction of the Pakistan Muslim league has released its much-anticipated manifesto. Watch to know more!

Pakistan: PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto dares Nawaz Sharif for open debate | Pakistan Elections

The ground for the next general elections is ready in Pakistan and so are the candidates. The country will go to polls in two weeks. Pakistan People's Party chairman, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has now challenged PML-N supremo, Nawaz sharif to an open debate. While the Nawaz faction of the Pakista

Pakistan Elections: PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto slams Nawaz Sharif over politics of corruption

PPP Chairman slams Nawaz Sharif over politics of corruption. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto dares Nawaz Sharif for a debate. Bilawal vows to hurt 'Lion' amid raining 'arrows' on Feb 8. Lion part of PMN-L's election symbol & arrow belongs to PPP. Watch to know more!

Pakistan: PPP Chairman slams Nawaz Sharif over politics of corruption

Youth appeal and ambitious plans to combat climate change form the core of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's effort to become Prime Minister of Pakistan, which, if successful, would make him its youngest Premier since his mother Benazir was in office.

As the Feb. 8 general elections draw near, the 35-year-old former foreign minister and scion of Bhutto family that gave the nation two Prime Ministers, called for new ideas and leadership to calm political and economic instability.

"The implications of the decisions taken today are going to be faced by the youth of Pakistan," Bilawal told Reuters in Larkana, his hometown in the southern province of Sind, a family bastion.

"I think it would be better if they were allowed to make those decisions."

About two-thirds of Pakistan's population of 241 million is younger than 30, while its Prime Ministers since 2000 have been older than 61, on average.

The Oxford-educated Bhutto is less than half the age of three-time Premier Nawaz Sharif, 74, whom analysts consider the frontrunner in next month's election, and former cricket superstar Imran Khan, 71, who won the last election in 2018.

Watch | Bilawal Bhutto attacks Nawaz Sharif's 'old politics' of corruption, vendetta

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The eventual winner faces the task of reviving a struggling $350-billion economy grappling with historic inflation and an unstable currency that limit growth and job opportunities for the young.

The South Asian nation received a $3-billion loan programme from the IMF in July that averted a sovereign debt default in a standby arrangement set to expire this spring.

Bhutto plans to tap into widespread anger, saying he has a concrete plan to provide free electricity and boost social safety programmes, despite fiscal constraints.

"What we propose is to completely restructure Pakistan's development model, putting the threat of climate change front and centre," he said, in a reflection of his party's election manifesto.

Making a promise rare in Pakistan, it aims to ensure that funds exceeding $10 billion pledged last year go to fight climate change, after super floods in 2022 that displaced more than 7 million people.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-political-debate-turned-ugly-as-father-killed-son-over-hoisting-ptis-flag-682932">Pakistan: Political debate turns ugly as father kills son over hoisting PTI’s flag</a>

A member of Pakistan's most powerful political dynasty, Bhutto spoke in an interview during a gruelling four-week campaign that took him to more than 33 towns, while other parties began canvassing just last week.

He is the son of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, assassinated while on a campaign trail in 2007, and the grandson of former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, hanged by a military dictator in 1979, both still venerated by Pakistanis.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-reopens-border-crossing-with-afghanistan-after-deadlock-over-visa-requirements-683062">Pakistan reopens border crossing with Afghanistan after deadlock over visa requirements</a>

If Bhutto wins the election, subject to the vagaries of government formation, calculations show he could be just 25 days short of his mother's age on entering office in 1988, at the earliest.

"I haven't actually counted, but ... I think she was the youngest," he responded, when asked how he rated his chances.

Alternative choice 
 
However, his Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has lost space to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of Sharif and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of Khan, who have been locked in a bruising political battle for more than a decade.

Positioning himself as an alternate to them in 2024, he recently called on supporters of Khan to vote for him while their leader is in jail.

In the 2013 elections, the PPP came second after Sharif's party, garnering 42 of the 342 seats up for grabs. In 2018, with 54 seats, it was runner-up to the parties of both Sharif and Khan.

Bhutto ruled out joining hands with either contender, however, saying he preferred to form a government with independent candidates.

"You know, lots of independent politicians, probably the highest (number) in our history, are taking part in the coming elections," he added.

Most of the independents belong to Khan's party, which lost the right this month to contest on a single platform, making the approaching election the most open in recent times.

However, one analyst felt the role of Prime Minister might be a tough goal for Bhutto, saying his party had struggled to build its political strength.

"One might be tempted to look at Bilawal as a dark horse candidate for Prime Minister," said Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Center's South Asia Institute, as he appeared to be favoured by the military and had been foreign minister.

"But I don't see him as prime minister material just yet," Kugelman added. "The election will likely lead to a coalition government, and Mr. Bilawal could be in the mix for a cabinet-level position, but the top slot is likely too much of a reach."

Instead, Pakistan's army may prefer more experienced leaders, such as Sharif, he said.

Analysts believe the powerful military has thrown its backing to Sharif following a standoff with Khan, giving the former an edge in a country where army generals exert undue influence over setting up governments.

The military denies the accusations, and says it remains apolitical.

Bhutto asked if he thought the military-backed Sharif, responded, "He's certainly giving the impression that he is relying on something other than the people of Pakistan to become Prime Minister for the fourth time."

Questions of transparency will hover over the 2024 elections, just as with earlier ones, he added, but he and his party hoped to win against expectations.

Pushed into the political fray as a teenager in 2007, after his mother's assassination,&nbsp;Bhutto later inherited her party but steered clear of politics until he finished his education.

His father, Asif Ali Zardari, was elected President after Benazir's death.

Bilawal won a parliamentary seat in his first contest in 2018, which was followed by a 16-month stint as Foreign Minister, until August 2023.

Youth appeal and ambitious plans to combat climate change form the core of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's effort to become Prime Minister of Pakistan, which, if successful, would make him its youngest Premier since his mother Benazir was in office.

Youth appeal and ambitious plans to combat climate change form the core of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's effort to become Prime Minister of Pakistan, which, if successful, would make him its youngest Premier since his mother Benazir was in office. As the Feb. 8 general elections draw near, the 35-year-old former foreign minister and scion of Bhutto family that gave the nation two Prime Ministers, called for new ideas and leadership to calm political and economic instability. "The implications of the decisions taken today are going to be faced by the youth of Pakistan," Bilawal told Reuters in Larkana, his hometown in the southern province of Sind, a family bastion. "I think it would be better if they were allowed to make those decisions." About two-thirds of Pakistan's population of 241 million is younger than 30, while its Prime Ministers since 2000 have been older than 61, on average. The Oxford-educated Bhutto is less than half the age of three-time Premier Nawaz Sharif, 74, whom analysts consider the frontrunner in next month's election, and former cricket superstar Imran Khan, 71, who won the last election in 2018. Watch | Bilawal Bhutto attacks Nawaz Sharif's 'old politics' of corruption, vendetta × The eventual winner faces the task of reviving a struggling $350-billion economy grappling with historic inflation and an unstable currency that limit growth and job opportunities for the young. The South Asian nation received a $3-billion loan programme from the IMF in July that averted a sovereign debt default in a standby arrangement set to expire this spring. Bhutto plans to tap into widespread anger, saying he has a concrete plan to provide free electricity and boost social safety programmes, despite fiscal constraints. "What we propose is to completely restructure Pakistan's development model, putting the threat of climate change front and centre," he said, in a reflection of his party's election manifesto. Making a promise rare in Pakistan, it aims to ensure that funds exceeding $10 billion pledged last year go to fight climate change, after super floods in 2022 that displaced more than 7 million people. Also Read | Pakistan: Political debate turns ugly as father kills son over hoisting PTI’s flag A member of Pakistan's most powerful political dynasty, Bhutto spoke in an interview during a gruelling four-week campaign that took him to more than 33 towns, while other parties began canvassing just last week. He is the son of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, assassinated while on a campaign trail in 2007, and the grandson of former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, hanged by a military dictator in 1979, both still venerated by Pakistanis. Also Read | Pakistan reopens border crossing with Afghanistan after deadlock over visa requirements If Bhutto wins the election, subject to the vagaries of government formation, calculations show he could be just 25 days short of his mother's age on entering office in 1988, at the earliest. "I haven't actually counted, but ... I think she was the youngest," he responded, when asked how he rated his chances. Alternative choice However, his Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has lost space to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of Sharif and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of Khan, who have been locked in a bruising political battle for more than a decade. Positioning himself as an alternate to them in 2024, he recently called on supporters of Khan to vote for him while their leader is in jail. In the 2013 elections, the PPP came second after Sharif's party, garnering 42 of the 342 seats up for grabs. In 2018, with 54 seats, it was runner-up to the parties of both Sharif and Khan. Bhutto ruled out joining hands with either contender, however, saying he preferred to form a government with independent candidates. "You know, lots of independent politicians, probably the highest (number) in our history, are taking part in the coming elections," he added. Most of the independents belong to Khan's party, which lost the right this month to contest on a single platform, making the approaching election the most open in recent times. However, one analyst felt the role of Prime Minister might be a tough goal for Bhutto, saying his party had struggled to build its political strength. "One might be tempted to look at Bilawal as a dark horse candidate for Prime Minister," said Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Center's South Asia Institute, as he appeared to be favoured by the military and had been foreign minister. "But I don't see him as prime minister material just yet," Kugelman added. "The election will likely lead to a coalition government, and Mr. Bilawal could be in the mix for a cabinet-level position, but the top slot is likely too much of a reach." Instead, Pakistan's army may prefer more experienced leaders, such as Sharif, he said. Analysts believe the powerful military has thrown its backing to Sharif following a standoff with Khan, giving the former an edge in a country where army generals exert undue influence over setting up governments. The military denies the accusations, and says it remains apolitical. Bhutto asked if he thought the military-backed Sharif, responded, "He's certainly giving the impression that he is relying on something other than the people of Pakistan to become Prime Minister for the fourth time." Questions of transparency will hover over the 2024 elections, just as with earlier ones, he added, but he and his party hoped to win against expectations. Pushed into the political fray as a teenager in 2007, after his mother's assassination, Bhutto later inherited her party but steered clear of politics until he finished his education. His father, Asif Ali Zardari, was elected President after Benazir's death. Bilawal won a parliamentary seat in his first contest in 2018, which was followed by a 16-month stint as Foreign Minister, until August 2023.

Bhutto scion aims to focus on Pakistan’s youth, break with old politics

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday called on PTI workers to support his party in the upcoming general election, vowing to “bury politics of revenge”.

Pakistan: Bilawal tells PTI workers to support PPP in polls

Election campaigning picks up pace in Pakistan. Pakistan Peoples Party chief holds rally in Lahore. Bhutto said, "Victory of PPP will be a win for average Pakistani." Watch to know more!

Pakistan Elections 2024: PPP's Bilawal Bhutto set to contest elections from Lahore

Pakistan Elections 2024: PPP's Bilawal Bhutto addresses rally in Lahore

A somewhat cold Namaste exchanged by two foreign ministers standing several feet apart, done in the beach state of Goa, brought back memories of three generations of one political family, across a troubled border.

Artful photographers use time-slice photography to show the passage of time in a single image. Time-slice photography captures motion, pace and atmosphere in a manner that shows a person, place or thing over minutes, time or even years. We cannot do that easily in news photography but a Tarot card-like reading of the image in Goa might help. Even better would be for us to recall some images and pages from the past to show how the times have changed and yet not.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/baps-swaminarayan-temple-vandalised-in-sydney-by-khalistan-supporters-reports-589067">BAPS Swaminarayan temple vandalised in Sydney by Khalistan supporters: Reports</a>

Pakistan's 34-year-old foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived in Goa this week for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and depending on how you read it, &nbsp;you can interpret the Namaste returned by the young Bhutto scion to his counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar as a sign of diplomatic thaw, uneasy courtesy on a difficult encounter or persisting coldness between India and Pakistan.

Since its inception in 2001, the SCO has mostly talked about regional security and a fight against separatism and terrorism, often associated with religious extremism. But it is precisely these issues that have kept India and Pakistan apart for decades. After all, in the Indian political imagination, Pakistan itself seceded from undivided India in 1947 only to fan terrorism and separatism laced with religious extremism in the disputed Kashmir region.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-regional-bank-western-alliance-quashes-report-of-exploring-potential-sale-589038">US regional bank Western Alliance quashes report of exploring potential sale</a>

There have been ups and downs since then, mostly downs.&nbsp;

We need to push the cameras of our minds back to 1964 when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru died and Lal Bahadur Shastri took over. Bilawal's grandfather Zulfikar Ali Bhutto visited Delhi then as Pakistan's 36-year-old foreign minister to attend Nehru's funeral. The older Bhutto's American biographer Stanley Wolpert says that then-young Bhutto mistook the diminutive Shastri for a weakling and decided to push his country's military ruler Ayub Khan to invade Kashmir in 1965. &nbsp;

Pakistan lost the war badly. Bhutto resigned and rose in protest against the army ruler (much like Imran Khan did as PM recently) after joining the general in negotiating a peace treaty with Shastri, who died tragically and mysteriously in Tashkent where the treaty was signed. Uzbekistan is now part of the SCO, and memories of Tashkent come creeping in.

Watch | China issues report on US CIA's cyberattacks on other countries

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Bhutto became prime minister after launching his socialist &nbsp;Pakistan People's Party (PPP) &nbsp;only to find India doing to East Pakistan in 1971 what he tried to do with Kashmir in 1965. The liberation of Bangladesh led to the Shimla Agreement between India and Pakistan in 1972. There is an enduring image of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Bhutto shaking hands in Shimla that seems like a blurred memory of elusive peace.

<img alt="1972 Shimla Agreement.jpg" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8c/1972_Shimla_Agreement.jpg" />

Also in Shimla, we saw Benazir Bhutto, Zulfikar's daughter, still a teenager at 19, &nbsp;standing beside her father, and another one in which she is sitting beside Indira in a saree, a far cry from the Islamic rhetoric that Zulfikar Bhutto used to gain power in Pakistan.

<img alt="82-shimla" src="https://img.theweek.in/content/dam/week/magazine/theweek/cover/images/2021/8/12/82-shimla.jpg" />

The young Ms. Bhutto, Bilawal's mother, went on to become prime minister in PPP-led democratic governments as Pakistan shakily put army rule behind. Somewhere along the way, Zulfikar was hanged to death by the man he appointed as army chief, General Zia Ul Haq.

Why all this now? In time-slice terms, these images may show that Pakistan is a pale shadow of its former self as far as diplomatic and economic strengths go.&nbsp;

However, the young Bhutto, despite losing his grandfather to a military ruler's noose and his mother to a mysterious election rally assassination in 2007, retains the family spunk to show strength in times of severe adversity.

In 2016, he described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "butcher" related to deaths in Gujarat and Kashmir and recently in March, raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN Security Council.

A Namaste in Goa cannot ease up relations between India and Pakistan any more than an elegantly worn saree did in Shimla in 1972. Pakistan's existential political weapons for mobilising mass support are Islam and Kashmir, and that does not appear to have changed despite Pakistan sinking deeply into an economic crisis.

We can always debate if demagogic politics is an escape from bad economics or &nbsp;if economic crises are caused by bad politics. Despite being liberals in their personal lives and amiable in their social behaviour, the Bhuttos have their political capital in the rhetoric that feeds Pakistan's masses. &nbsp;Unless that changes, little can be expected from the family that may still have the best interests of the average Pakistani in its hearts.

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A somewhat cold Namaste exchanged by two foreign ministers standing several feet apart, done in the beach state of Goa, brought back memories of three generations of one political family, across a troubled border.

A somewhat cold Namaste exchanged by two foreign ministers standing several feet apart, done in the beach state of Goa, brought back memories of three generations of one political family, across a troubled border. Artful photographers use time-slice photography to show the passage of time in a single image. Time-slice photography captures motion, pace and atmosphere in a manner that shows a person, place or thing over minutes, time or even years. We cannot do that easily in news photography but a Tarot card-like reading of the image in Goa might help. Even better would be for us to recall some images and pages from the past to show how the times have changed and yet not. Also Read | BAPS Swaminarayan temple vandalised in Sydney by Khalistan supporters: Reports Pakistan's 34-year-old foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived in Goa this week for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and depending on how you read it, you can interpret the Namaste returned by the young Bhutto scion to his counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar as a sign of diplomatic thaw, uneasy courtesy on a difficult encounter or persisting coldness between India and Pakistan. Since its inception in 2001, the SCO has mostly talked about regional security and a fight against separatism and terrorism, often associated with religious extremism. But it is precisely these issues that have kept India and Pakistan apart for decades. After all, in the Indian political imagination, Pakistan itself seceded from undivided India in 1947 only to fan terrorism and separatism laced with religious extremism in the disputed Kashmir region. Also Read | US regional bank Western Alliance quashes report of exploring potential sale There have been ups and downs since then, mostly downs. We need to push the cameras of our minds back to 1964 when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru died and Lal Bahadur Shastri took over. Bilawal's grandfather Zulfikar Ali Bhutto visited Delhi then as Pakistan's 36-year-old foreign minister to attend Nehru's funeral. The older Bhutto's American biographer Stanley Wolpert says that then-young Bhutto mistook the diminutive Shastri for a weakling and decided to push his country's military ruler Ayub Khan to invade Kashmir in 1965. Pakistan lost the war badly. Bhutto resigned and rose in protest against the army ruler (much like Imran Khan did as PM recently) after joining the general in negotiating a peace treaty with Shastri, who died tragically and mysteriously in Tashkent where the treaty was signed. Uzbekistan is now part of the SCO, and memories of Tashkent come creeping in. Watch | China issues report on US CIA's cyberattacks on other countries × Bhutto became prime minister after launching his socialist Pakistan People's Party (PPP) only to find India doing to East Pakistan in 1971 what he tried to do with Kashmir in 1965. The liberation of Bangladesh led to the Shimla Agreement between India and Pakistan in 1972. There is an enduring image of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Bhutto shaking hands in Shimla that seems like a blurred memory of elusive peace. Also in Shimla, we saw Benazir Bhutto, Zulfikar's daughter, still a teenager at 19, standing beside her father, and another one in which she is sitting beside Indira in a saree, a far cry from the Islamic rhetoric that Zulfikar Bhutto used to gain power in Pakistan. The young Ms. Bhutto, Bilawal's mother, went on to become prime minister in PPP-led democratic governments as Pakistan shakily put army rule behind. Somewhere along the way, Zulfikar was hanged to death by the man he appointed as army chief, General Zia Ul Haq. Why all this now? In time-slice terms, these images may show that Pakistan is a pale shadow of its former self as far as diplomatic and economic strengths go. However, the young Bhutto, despite losing his grandfather to a military ruler's noose and his mother to a mysterious election rally assassination in 2007, retains the family spunk to show strength in times of severe adversity. In 2016, he described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "butcher" related to deaths in Gujarat and Kashmir and recently in March, raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN Security Council. A Namaste in Goa cannot ease up relations between India and Pakistan any more than an elegantly worn saree did in Shimla in 1972. Pakistan's existential political weapons for mobilising mass support are Islam and Kashmir, and that does not appear to have changed despite Pakistan sinking deeply into an economic crisis. We can always debate if demagogic politics is an escape from bad economics or if economic crises are caused by bad politics. Despite being liberals in their personal lives and amiable in their social behaviour, the Bhuttos have their political capital in the rhetoric that feeds Pakistan's masses. Unless that changes, little can be expected from the family that may still have the best interests of the average Pakistani in its hearts. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Delhi, Shimla, Goa: Tale of 3 Bhuttos in India shows Pak's decline but not family's political spunk

Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will attend SCO meet in Goa, India. The meeting will take place on May 2023. SCO focuses on cooperation with international and regional organizations. SCO has 8 member states, 4 observer states, and 6 'dialogue partners'.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto to attend SCO meeting in Goa, India

While on her Pakistan visit on Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tested positive for Covid 19, forcing her to cut short her trip and return to Germany.

Germany's ministry of foreign affairs confirmed her reports saying that "Annalena Baerbock had a positive screening test after lunch today" the News International reported.

After testing positive for the virus, the minister cancelled all further dates of the trip, which also included stops in Greece and Turkey, the ministry said.

As per the official Twitter handle of the ministry, Baerbock regularly tests herself for the virus. It further said that she was tested negative for the virus in the morning, the News International reported.

German FM Annalena Baerbock reached Pakistan today, where she was welcomed by the Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and other senior officials.

The minister along with her Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also planted a sapling on the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Baerbock's visit to Pakistan was scheduled for June 7 and 8 to hold a discussion on bilateral and global issues with her counterpart from Pakistan. This comes as a response to the invitation of Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The two sides attach special importance to strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, including trade and investment, energy, defence, and people-to-people contacts, said the ministry.

The visit of the German foreign minister is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and is expected to further boost the multi-faceted Pakistan-Germany relationship, according to the statement.

This year both countries are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The German Foreign Minister's visit is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries.&nbsp;

[with inputs from agencies]

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While on her Pakistan visit on Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tested positive for Covid 19, forcing her to cut short her trip and return to Germany.

While on her Pakistan visit on Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tested positive for Covid 19, forcing her to cut short her trip and return to Germany. Germany's ministry of foreign affairs confirmed her reports saying that "Annalena Baerbock had a positive screening test after lunch today" the News International reported. After testing positive for the virus, the minister cancelled all further dates of the trip, which also included stops in Greece and Turkey, the ministry said. As per the official Twitter handle of the ministry, Baerbock regularly tests herself for the virus. It further said that she was tested negative for the virus in the morning, the News International reported. German FM Annalena Baerbock reached Pakistan today, where she was welcomed by the Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and other senior officials. The minister along with her Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also planted a sapling on the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Baerbock's visit to Pakistan was scheduled for June 7 and 8 to hold a discussion on bilateral and global issues with her counterpart from Pakistan. This comes as a response to the invitation of Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The two sides attach special importance to strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, including trade and investment, energy, defence, and people-to-people contacts, said the ministry. The visit of the German foreign minister is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and is expected to further boost the multi-faceted Pakistan-Germany relationship, according to the statement. This year both countries are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The German Foreign Minister's visit is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries. [with inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

German foreign minister tests Covid positive during her visit to Pakistan

Underlining that Pakistan's relations with India have not been 'moving forward' as one hoped for, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday said that is expecting day both the countries bury the hatchet and return to normal ties.

His comments came at the annual Pakistan Breakfast session in Davos, organised by Pathfinder Group and Martin Dow Group on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022, reports PTI news agency.

“That day will have to come. That day we will unlock our full economic potential, and all will share the fruit of prosperity,” Zardari was quoted as saying.

His response came while talking about various steps required to unlock Pakistan’s economic and trade opportunities, including with its various neighbours.

“I hope that day will come in my lifetime, when we are able to resolve the conflicts in our region and that day, we will be able to unlock our full growth potential,” he said while talking about numerous conflicts in the neighbourhood of his country.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: India slams Bilawal Bhutto for raising Kashmir issue

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Bhutto batted for more robust trade relations will of its neighbours, including India.

“We have not been able to maximise our trade with China. Our relations with India have obviously been not moving forward, but one day we will get to the position where international institutions will come to ensure the international order.

“Definitely, there will be a day when we will be able to engage with our neighbour to the east, not just diplomatically but also economically,” he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-praises-india-for-reducing-fuel-prices-defying-us-pressure-481126" hreflang="en">Imran Khan praises India for reducing fuel prices, defying 'US pressure'</a>

The foreign minister said the best way forward on domestic and international levels is to leave aside political bickering and explore and unlock his country's huge untapped potential.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-court-extends-interim-bail-of-pm-sharif-hamza-in-money-laundering-case-480985" hreflang="en">Pakistani court extends interim bail of PM Sharif in money laundering case</a>

"We can demonstrate domestically and internationally that Pakistan is a functioning state… willing to help itself and then the international community will also understand our potential and help us grow further," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Underlining that Pakistan's relations with India have not been 'moving forward' as one hoped for, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday said that is expecting day both the countries bury the hatchet and return to normal ties.

Underlining that Pakistan's relations with India have not been 'moving forward' as one hoped for, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday said that is expecting day both the countries bury the hatchet and return to normal ties. His comments came at the annual Pakistan Breakfast session in Davos, organised by Pathfinder Group and Martin Dow Group on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022, reports PTI news agency. “That day will have to come. That day we will unlock our full economic potential, and all will share the fruit of prosperity,” Zardari was quoted as saying. His response came while talking about various steps required to unlock Pakistan’s economic and trade opportunities, including with its various neighbours. “I hope that day will come in my lifetime, when we are able to resolve the conflicts in our region and that day, we will be able to unlock our full growth potential,” he said while talking about numerous conflicts in the neighbourhood of his country. Watch | Gravitas: India slams Bilawal Bhutto for raising Kashmir issue Bhutto batted for more robust trade relations will of its neighbours, including India. “We have not been able to maximise our trade with China. Our relations with India have obviously been not moving forward, but one day we will get to the position where international institutions will come to ensure the international order. “Definitely, there will be a day when we will be able to engage with our neighbour to the east, not just diplomatically but also economically,” he said. Also read | Imran Khan praises India for reducing fuel prices, defying 'US pressure' The foreign minister said the best way forward on domestic and international levels is to leave aside political bickering and explore and unlock his country's huge untapped potential. Also read | Pakistani court extends interim bail of PM Sharif in money laundering case "We can demonstrate domestically and internationally that Pakistan is a functioning state… willing to help itself and then the international community will also understand our potential and help us grow further," he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘Hopefully...one day’: Pak foreign minister Bhutto bats for normal ties between New Delhi and Islamabad

Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto met his US counterpart Antony Blinken. Is Pakistan, and US trying to mend ties? Bilawal Bhutto Zardari responds to WION's questions and talked about competing with India.

Pakistan FM's maiden U.S. visit: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari responds to WION's questions

Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto meets his US counterpart Antony Blinken. Is Pakistan, and US trying to mend ties? Watch this report.

Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto meets US counterpart Antony Blinken

The Pakistan and the United States are looking to strengthen ties as US invites Pak to global COVID summit. Watch this report.

Blinken calls Pakistan's foreign minister as US invites Pak to global COVID summit

Pakistan’s only major left-leaning political party is fighting for its electoral relevance and to preserve the legacy of the country’s best-known political dynasty weeks before the country heads to the polls.

In his first election campaign, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the scion of the storied Bhutto family who now heads the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), is attempting to recapture the support his mother, two-time former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, enjoyed on her return from exile in 2007, before she was assassinated on the campaign trail.

Party leaders insist the 29-year-old Bhutto, Oxford-educated like his mother and grandfather — also a former prime minister — brings a fresh new appeal to the party as it attempts to revive its waning fortunes in a general election called for July 25.

“With Bilawal in the frontline of our campaign we hope to see a huge swathe of young people join us in our journey to turn back the tide of extremism, misgovernance and anti-democratic trends,” PPP Senator Sherry Rehman told Reuters.

Whether his father, former President Asif Ali Zardari, will be an asset or an obstacle in that effort remains a source of keen debate in Islamabad.

Some analysts and party insiders say Zardari’s tainted image, the result of numerous corruption allegations, could cost the party at the polls, where it will contrast with opposition rival Imran Khan’s relentless anti-graft message.

On the other hand, the most likely route back to power could be a post-election alliance with the charismatic Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Infasf (PTI), which has seemingly eclipsed the PPP in the past five years, and the former president would be a key figure in any such negotiations.

Once the country’s most popular party, the PPP finds itself on the brink of political irrelevance at the national level, and analysts believe it is more likely to be Zardari’s ability to cut a deal, rather than his son’s populist rhetoric, that will keep the party afloat.

“Zardari is looking at himself as a post-election facilitator rather than a major player in the actual electoral battle,” political analyst Aamer Ahmed Khan said.

Both PPP and PTI officials were cagey when asked about the possibility of an alliance, but did not rule it out.

Zardari spent a total of 11 years in jail on charges of corruption and murder, though he was never convicted of any of the offences for which he was held and has always maintained his innocence.

He was released in 2004 after an eight-year stretch behind bars, and returned to Pakistan from self-exile three years later alongside Benazir Bhutto in her bid to retake the prime minister’s office and end the military rule of General Pervez Musharraf.

Bhutto was assassinated on the campaign trail three months after her return in a suicide attack, the tragic saga adding to the Bhutto family’s status as a Pakistani equivalent of America’s Kennedys and India’s Gandhis.

Bhutto’s father Zulfiqar, who founded the PPP, was hanged by General Zia-ul-Haq in 1979 after being deposed in a military coup, while her brother Murtaza was gunned down in the southern city of Karachi in 1996 while she was in office. Zardari was accused of his murder but cleared by the courts.

In a wave of popular support that was generated by Benazir Bhutto’s return and continued after her assassination, the PPP swept to power and Zardari found himself wielding considerable power from the president’s office.

While all the allegations against him were ultimately dismissed, and despite overseeing the country’s first transition of power by a civilian government, Zardari retains a tainted reputation, often going by the nickname “Mr. Ten Percent”.

“I think Asif Zardari has been a victim of massive negative propaganda against him,” former PPP senator Farathullah Babar told Reuters. “If any of this was true he would not have spent 11 years in jail without a single conviction.”

The run-up to the election has been dominated by allegations that the powerful military has been attempting to destabilise the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), paving the way to power for cricketer-turn-politician Khan’s PTI.

“We are seeing pre-poll election manipulation where people from all political parties are going and joining one political party,” former PPP senator Babar said.

PML-N insiders say Sharif’s relationship with Pakistan’s powerful generals is in tatters and Sharif himself recently alluded to the military pressuring PML-N lawmakers and pushing them to abandon the party or join PTI.

The military, which has ruled Pakistan for half its history, has repeatedly denied interfering in modern-day politics. Khan has denied colluding with the generals.

PPP leaders say their campaign, fronted by Bilawal Bhutto, will focus in battling extremism and intolerance in a country scarred by more than a decade of militant Islamist violence.

“The People’s Party is going to forcefully and emphatically distinguish itself as the party that believes that in the state of Pakistan we must ... not distinguish or discriminate between the adherents of any religion,” senator Aitzaz Ahsan said.

But while the PPP retains significant support in the traditional Bhutto-Zardari family stronghold of Sindh province, it appears to have lost ground nationally to the PTI. A Gallup nationwide poll in March put the party on 17 percent, with PTI on 24 percent and PML-N on 36 percent.

That suggests the best chance for the opposition parties would indeed be some sort of alliance.

Some in Islamabad believe Zardari has been quietly building ties with the military to that end - a suspicion enhanced in March when the PPP declined an opportunity to lead the Senate and instead helped elect an army-linked independent as Senate chairman.

“Zardari believes when the time to cobble together a government arrives they will need ... someone like him,” said Khan, the political analyst. “And he will become the kingmaker.”

&nbsp;

Pakistan People’s Party leaders insist the 29-year-old Bilawal, Oxford-educated like his mother and grandfather — also a former prime minister — brings a fresh new appeal to the party. The Pakistani general elections will be held on July 25

Pakistan’s only major left-leaning political party is fighting for its electoral relevance and to preserve the legacy of the country’s best-known political dynasty weeks before the country heads to the polls. In his first election campaign, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the scion of the storied Bhutto family who now heads the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), is attempting to recapture the support his mother, two-time former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, enjoyed on her return from exile in 2007, before she was assassinated on the campaign trail. Party leaders insist the 29-year-old Bhutto, Oxford-educated like his mother and grandfather — also a former prime minister — brings a fresh new appeal to the party as it attempts to revive its waning fortunes in a general election called for July 25. “With Bilawal in the frontline of our campaign we hope to see a huge swathe of young people join us in our journey to turn back the tide of extremism, misgovernance and anti-democratic trends,” PPP Senator Sherry Rehman told Reuters. Whether his father, former President Asif Ali Zardari, will be an asset or an obstacle in that effort remains a source of keen debate in Islamabad. Some analysts and party insiders say Zardari’s tainted image, the result of numerous corruption allegations, could cost the party at the polls, where it will contrast with opposition rival Imran Khan’s relentless anti-graft message. On the other hand, the most likely route back to power could be a post-election alliance with the charismatic Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Infasf (PTI), which has seemingly eclipsed the PPP in the past five years, and the former president would be a key figure in any such negotiations. Once the country’s most popular party, the PPP finds itself on the brink of political irrelevance at the national level, and analysts believe it is more likely to be Zardari’s ability to cut a deal, rather than his son’s populist rhetoric, that will keep the party afloat. “Zardari is looking at himself as a post-election facilitator rather than a major player in the actual electoral battle,” political analyst Aamer Ahmed Khan said. Both PPP and PTI officials were cagey when asked about the possibility of an alliance, but did not rule it out. Zardari spent a total of 11 years in jail on charges of corruption and murder, though he was never convicted of any of the offences for which he was held and has always maintained his innocence. He was released in 2004 after an eight-year stretch behind bars, and returned to Pakistan from self-exile three years later alongside Benazir Bhutto in her bid to retake the prime minister’s office and end the military rule of General Pervez Musharraf. Bhutto was assassinated on the campaign trail three months after her return in a suicide attack, the tragic saga adding to the Bhutto family’s status as a Pakistani equivalent of America’s Kennedys and India’s Gandhis. Bhutto’s father Zulfiqar, who founded the PPP, was hanged by General Zia-ul-Haq in 1979 after being deposed in a military coup, while her brother Murtaza was gunned down in the southern city of Karachi in 1996 while she was in office. Zardari was accused of his murder but cleared by the courts. In a wave of popular support that was generated by Benazir Bhutto’s return and continued after her assassination, the PPP swept to power and Zardari found himself wielding considerable power from the president’s office. While all the allegations against him were ultimately dismissed, and despite overseeing the country’s first transition of power by a civilian government, Zardari retains a tainted reputation, often going by the nickname “Mr. Ten Percent”. “I think Asif Zardari has been a victim of massive negative propaganda against him,” former PPP senator Farathullah Babar told Reuters. “If any of this was true he would not have spent 11 years in jail without a single conviction.” The run-up to the election has been dominated by allegations that the powerful military has been attempting to destabilise the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), paving the way to power for cricketer-turn-politician Khan’s PTI. “We are seeing pre-poll election manipulation where people from all political parties are going and joining one political party,” former PPP senator Babar said. PML-N insiders say Sharif’s relationship with Pakistan’s powerful generals is in tatters and Sharif himself recently alluded to the military pressuring PML-N lawmakers and pushing them to abandon the party or join PTI. The military, which has ruled Pakistan for half its history, has repeatedly denied interfering in modern-day politics. Khan has denied colluding with the generals. PPP leaders say their campaign, fronted by Bilawal Bhutto, will focus in battling extremism and intolerance in a country scarred by more than a decade of militant Islamist violence. “The People’s Party is going to forcefully and emphatically distinguish itself as the party that believes that in the state of Pakistan we must ... not distinguish or discriminate between the adherents of any religion,” senator Aitzaz Ahsan said. But while the PPP retains significant support in the traditional Bhutto-Zardari family stronghold of Sindh province, it appears to have lost ground nationally to the PTI. A Gallup nationwide poll in March put the party on 17 percent, with PTI on 24 percent and PML-N on 36 percent. That suggests the best chance for the opposition parties would indeed be some sort of alliance. Some in Islamabad believe Zardari has been quietly building ties with the military to that end - a suspicion enhanced in March when the PPP declined an opportunity to lead the Senate and instead helped elect an army-linked independent as Senate chairman. “Zardari believes when the time to cobble together a government arrives they will need ... someone like him,” said Khan, the political analyst. “And he will become the kingmaker.”

Bhutto heir fighting to preserve dynasty's legacy in Pakistan election

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Abbasi on Tuesday inaugurated the long-delayed new airport in Islamabad in place of Benazir Bhutto airport.

Islamabad International Airport (IIA), which has been inaugurated after years of delay, &nbspis the first greenfield airport of Pakistan which plans to emerge as one of Asia's major aviation hubs.&nbsp

With a sleek glass-front entrance, spacious check-in areas and jetway bridges for boarding, the Y-shaped airport promise an end to the congestion that has frustrated air travel in the past.

"This airport rightly reflects what has happened in Pakistan in the last five years," said Abbasi.

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight, PK-300, landed at the airport as part of its inauguration ceremony. A video shared by PIA on its official Twitter account, showed the pilot waving the country’s flag from the cockpit window.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Pakistan Zindabad! The first flight arrives at the new Islamabad International Airport!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FirstFlightPIA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FirstFlightPIA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewAirportwithPIA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewAirportwithPIA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIA</a> <a href="https://t.co/JLvjmLzm7r">pic.twitter.com/JLvjmLzm7r</a>
— PIA (@Official_PIA) <a href="https://twitter.com/Official_PIA/status/991226318019809280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The new airport is capable of serving nine million passengers and 50,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year and plans to expand its target servicing to about 25 million passengers by 2025.

Abbasi's government is spending billions of dollars on upgrading Pakistan's transport infrastructure and ending energy blackouts, with freshly paved motorways as well as dams and power plants popping up across the country.

Abbasi, who has a pilot's license and is a founder of a Pakistani budget airline, said new airports in the cities of Multan, Faisalabad, Quetta and Peshawar were in the final stages.

"Nothing is impossible but this project definitely seemed impossible," quipped Abbasi, in reference to his government inheriting the project in 2013.

The new airport is about 15 km (nine miles) from the capital. Benazir Bhutto airport was in the nearby city of Rawalpindi and attached to a military base.

Islamabad International Airport (IIA), which has been inaugurated after years of delay, is the first greenfield airport of Pakistan which plans to emerge as one of Asia's major aviation hubs.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Abbasi on Tuesday inaugurated the long-delayed new airport in Islamabad in place of Benazir Bhutto airport. Islamabad International Airport (IIA), which has been inaugurated after years of delay, &nbspis the first greenfield airport of Pakistan which plans to emerge as one of Asia's major aviation hubs. With a sleek glass-front entrance, spacious check-in areas and jetway bridges for boarding, the Y-shaped airport promise an end to the congestion that has frustrated air travel in the past. "This airport rightly reflects what has happened in Pakistan in the last five years," said Abbasi. A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight, PK-300, landed at the airport as part of its inauguration ceremony. A video shared by PIA on its official Twitter account, showed the pilot waving the country’s flag from the cockpit window. Pakistan Zindabad! The first flight arrives at the new Islamabad International Airport!#FirstFlightPIA #NewAirportwithPIA #PIA pic.twitter.com/JLvjmLzm7r — PIA (@Official_PIA) May 1, 2018 × The new airport is capable of serving nine million passengers and 50,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year and plans to expand its target servicing to about 25 million passengers by 2025. Abbasi's government is spending billions of dollars on upgrading Pakistan's transport infrastructure and ending energy blackouts, with freshly paved motorways as well as dams and power plants popping up across the country. Abbasi, who has a pilot's license and is a founder of a Pakistani budget airline, said new airports in the cities of Multan, Faisalabad, Quetta and Peshawar were in the final stages. "Nothing is impossible but this project definitely seemed impossible," quipped Abbasi, in reference to his government inheriting the project in 2013. The new airport is about 15 km (nine miles) from the capital. Benazir Bhutto airport was in the nearby city of Rawalpindi and attached to a military base.

Pakistan PM inaugurates long-delayed new airport in capital Islamabad

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