Bhutto Siblings to Launch New Party, Break from PPP

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Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Jr. and Fatima Bhutto, grandchildren of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, have announced plans to establish a new political party, formally distancing themselves from the current leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Speaking at a press conference on July 29, 2025, at his residence in Karachi’s Clifton area, Bhutto Jr. declared his intention to create a platform rooted in the original vision of his grandfather, focusing on social justice, equality, and empowerment of the marginalized.

Bhutto Jr. was clear in his disassociation from the PPP’s present leadership, particularly Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He criticized what he described as a departure from the party’s founding ideology, stating that the new party would prioritize the interests of farmers, workers, and neglected communities. He specifically condemned the Sindh government’s handling of urban housing issues in Lyari, where over 150 buildings were reportedly sealed, displacing hundreds. He also criticized recent development projects that, in his view, have failed to address the urgent needs of affected residents.

A key issue raised was corporate farming in Punjab, which Bhutto Jr. labeled a “land grab” that undermines local agriculture and displaces rural communities. His statements reflected growing dissatisfaction with government-led development projects that ignore grassroots needs. He also signaled that the party’s youth wing would serve as the engine of political mobilization across Pakistan’s provinces, aimed at reviving the PPP’s historic slogan of “equality.”

In foreign affairs, Bhutto Jr. reiterated his support for a one-state solution to the Palestinian issue, diverging from international diplomatic norms. He also called for the release of political prisoners and an investigation into human rights concerns in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan. These positions align with his broader platform of democratic reform and civil liberties.

The announcement marks a significant challenge to the PPP’s longstanding dominance in Sindh, particularly as it comes from within the Bhutto family itself. With Fatima Bhutto’s involvement, the new political formation may attract disaffected PPP supporters and redefine the political landscape in the lead-up to future elections.