Zardari announces uplift package as PPP stages show of strength in Lyari

Development schemes worth one billion rupees were announced for the underprivileged area

KARACHI: Co-chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari has announced development schemes worth one billion rupees for the underprivileged Lyari and vowed to return peace to the troubled neighbourhood.

He was addressing a gathering in the Lyari’s Kakri Ground Sunday as PPP demonstrated a show of strength in the metropolis in a bid to dispel the impression that the party has lost its vote-bank in recent elections.

Zardari also announced that Bilawal Bhutto Engineering College will be built to uplift the educational status of the area. He also vowed to resolve the issue of water scarcity in Lyari ‘within three months’.

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The Co-chairman PPP said today's gathering marked the commencement of campaigning for next general elections. PHOTO: PPP Media Cell

In addition to announcing flats scheme for Lyari, he also announced regularisation of contractual employees. “PPP will fight for the rights of the masses,” he said.

Asking PPP workers to begin preparation for the polls that are two and a half years away, the co-chairman said today’s gathering marked the commencement of their campaigning and added that he will go to Punjab, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and organise rallies there.

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Co-chairman PPP waves to respond to the slogans of supporters during the gathering. PHOTO: ONLINE

On the recent substantial Chinese investment in the country, Zardari said they will not let anyone derail the process as the projects are crucial for the socio-economic development of the country. He asserted that no one will be allowed to play politics over the much-needed investment and make it controversial.

He also took India to task and demanded an immediate stop to its rule of tyranny on the unarmed Kashmiris. “I ask India to put an end to the suppression on Kashmiris,” he roared.

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It is worth mentioning here that the PPP acquired only seven seats in the Local Bodies Elections held in the cantonment areas countrywide yesterday, well below PML-N's 68 and PTI's 43 seats.