Bucking speculation: Zardari, Bilawal return to Pakistan ahead of Eid

The PPP leaders are expected to host a high level meeting of party leaders, members, Senators, MNAs, MPAs on Oct 17.

KARACHI: Despite speculation rife on whether the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) patron in chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari would return to the country ahead of Eidul Azha and the October 19 Karsaz blast anniversary, the two touched ground in Naudero on Tuesday.

Former Preisdent Zardari and Bilawal arrived in Naudero House from Dubai on Tuesday.

According to a spokesperson for Naudero House, both the leaders will be visiting Garhi Khuda Bux after eid prayers with Sindh cabinet members. They are expected to offer prayers at the graves of Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Prior to commemorating the October 19 blast anniversary, the two are expected to chair a high level meeting of the PPP at Naudero House on October 17 where senior leaders of the party, including senators, MNAs and MPAs from Sindh, have been invited to attend.

“The re-organisation of the party in Sindh, upcoming local government elections and law and order situation will be discussed at the meeting,” a senior party leader said of the meeting’s agenda.

Zardari had left Pakistan for Dubai just days after his tenure as president ended in September and speculation were rife about him not returning.

Bilawal has also been living outside the country, citing threats from militants. In a tweet to PTI MNA Asad Umar on October 12, Bilawal retorted to accusations of not living in Pakistan, saying that since he was not a Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan sympathiser, he could not live in Pakistan.

@Asad_Umar @KamranNawaz6 if I was a TTP sympathiser like IK I could happily live in Pak. I, however, have principals.

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) October 12, 2013

In another exchange with his growing list of followers on October 13, Bilawal responding to a request to visit Pakistan, albeit briefly, said that he would be making frequent visits to Pakistan till his new security chief is trained.

@wafridi001 yes. I'll make frequent trips till my new security chief is trained thn I'll move back.

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) October 13, 2013

Sources in the party say that after the Naudero meeting, Zardari is expected to journey to Lahore and hold meeting with party stalwarts in Punjab.