Revival in south Punjab: ‘PPP-led local govt will focus on sanitation’

The party is eyeing the Provincial Finance Commission for funds

LAHORE:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is set to form the district government in Rahim Yar Khan and has chalked out a plan to prove to voters that they made the right choice.

Talking to The Express Tribune, PPP south Punjab president Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood said people of Rahim Yar Khan had given a clear mandate to the PPP. Candidates backed by the PPP took 80 out of 139 seats in the district. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidates secured 46 seats and PTI candidates won two seats.

Faced with financial constraints, the PPP is eyeing the Provincial Finance Commission award for distribution of resources.

The commission oversees distribution of funds in districts to ensure smooth functioning of local governments and to mitigate poverty and income inequalities among the districts

“Campaigning for funds through the PFC is our best bet. The local government led by PPP aims to resolve sanitation and water supply problems in the district,” he said.

“A shortage of safe drinking water has plagued residents of the district for many years. Health and education are also priority areas where we shall set achievable targets for the duration of local governments,” he said.

Makhdoom Ali Mehmood, son of Ahmed Mehmood, is running for chairman Rahim Yar Khan district council chairman.

“It is wrong to suggest that PPP has lost support of people of the Punjab. I contested on a PPP platform and won. If you have faith and work for the people with honesty, they will vote for you,” he added.

He dismissed the suggestion that the PPP had lost popularity in south Punjab after the party made a call for creation of a new province. He also rebuffed rumours of being in contact by the PML-N.

“The rumours that I will join PML-N to become governor are baseless,” he said.

He said the party hoped to gain traction in south Punjab once its chairman, Bilawal Bhutto, launched a campaign in the Punjab.

“We will organise a processions if he comes here and PPP’s political message will be reaffirmed in the minds of the people.”

He suggested that the party chairman reactivate the contacts in Rahim Yar Khan. “The chairman can then visit other districts and hold public gatherings there,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2015.