Bilawal kicks off election campaign from Karachi

Typically garbage-strewn, the streets of Lyari cleaned to welcome PPP chairperson

KARACHI: The youth of Lyari welcomed on Saturday Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari amid chants of "Na mir ka na pir ka, vote hai teer ka" and songs as he inaugurated on Saturday his election office in Lyari's NA-246 to launch his campaign in the area.



Amid tight security, the PPP leader reached the area after offering Fateha at the Abdul Shah Ghanzi Mazar and the dargah of Hazrat Mohammad Shah Dulha Sabzwari in Lyari. He was accompanied by former chief minister Murad Ali Shah, Sherry Rehman, Nabil Gabol, Saeed Ghani, Waqar Mehdi, Khalil Hoath and other leaders of the party.

Bilawal's mother, former prime minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, was also a regular visitor to the shrine of Dulha Sabzwari, hence it was an emotional moment for the PPP chairperson when he saw the sapling of a tree planted by his late mother, which had bloomed into a full-grown tree.



Addressing the people gathered outside his election office, he said, "I want to inform you that your son [Bilawal] is contesting the election from this area."

In his brief speech, he said, "I will be working with you directly to redress your issues as my mother struggled for the rights of the people of this country and I will continue her mission."

Responding to slogans by the people, Bilawal nodded and said, "Please join hands with me in working for the betterment of this country as well as this constituency."

The former CM too joined in and chanted slogans with the youngsters of the area who were taking selfies with PPP chairperson.

The area was painted with photos of PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Bilawal and his parents Benazir and Asif Ali Zardari.

PPP has already appointed Senator Yousuf Baloch as incharge of the Central Election Office of Bilawal for NA-246. Meanwhile, the PPP has also included Qasim Baloch, Abdul Karim Jatt, Abdullah Rahim Baloch as members of the campaign committee which has already been formed under the convenership of Gabol.

A few disgruntled workers and leaders were also present on the occasion promised to vote for Bilawal, but refused to support his nominees contesting the provincial assembly seats from the area.

"We love unconditionally Bhutto, Benazir and even Bilawal, but his nominees for provincial seats are not acceptable," shared Mehmood Hashim, a community leader who works as vice-chairman of union council 4, Lyari.



According to Hashim, majority of PPP jiyalas don't like Javeed Nagro, PPP's candidate for PS-107 and Haji Abdul Majeed Baloch who is contesting from PS-108. "We are in PPP, but have formed our independent group fielding our own candidates for the provincial assembly seats," he said, adding that former MNA Shah Jahan and local leader Habib Hassan are contesting from PS-107 and PS-108 respectively.  "We don't claim [to know], but you will see the result in the upcoming elections," he said.

During his visit to Lyari, Bilawal also visited the family members of six people who drowned at Gadani beach during Eid holidays to offer his condolences.

Normally, the area Bilawal visited is full of litter, but municipal authorities of District South were found cleaning the roads Saturday morning.  According to Bilawal House's spokesperson, the PPP chairperson will also start campaigning across the rest of Sindh from tomorrow.

After Sindh, he will campaign in South Punjab and then the rest of the country.