PML-N, PPP hold separate huddles to devise anti-govt strategies

PPP leader says party to hold long march alone if opposition parties do not lend support to idea of in-house change

LAHORE:

Lahore abuzz with political activities on Thursday as both the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) held separate meetings to devise their respective anti-government campaigns.

The PPP, on Wednesday, held its CEC meeting, wherein leaders were to put forward their proposals on a wide array of issues, ranging from its movement against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government as well as drafting a new party manifesto.

The proposals of the CEC meeting, according to party officials, were kept before the party's core committee for its approval today. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also expected to hold a press conference later in the day to announce the party's decisions.

According to PPP leaders, the party has decided to begin receiving applications for national and provincial assemblies soon, enabling the ticket holders to start campaigning in their constituencies.

Read Rashid warns PDM against taking out march on March 23

The party leaders further said that the PPP also discussed the next phase of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s local body elections along with Punjab's. Keeping in view that the party's anti-government movement was entering its second phase, former president Asif Ali Zardari and party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were reportedly to hold district-wise visits of K-P and Balochistan to mobilise workers.

Another party leader, speaking to The Express Tribune, said that the PPP has suggested holding a long march alone if opposition parties do not lend their support to its idea of in-house change.

“The said long march, if accorded approval by core committee meeting, could be taken out from all parts of the country, towards Islamabad; and sit-in could also be considered,” he said.

The PML-N on the other hand held an all-important meeting, which was being attended by the entire Sharif family leaders among other important leaders, including Ahsan Iqbal, Shahid Khaqan Abbassi Rana Sanaullah and others.

The party was to discuss its anti-government strategy, especially in view of recent development in the PTI’s foreign funding case.