PPP politics not against personalities: FM

Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday said that people avenged vote rigging in 2018 through democratic means by sending the “incompetent” packing through a no-confidence motion.

Addressing the opening ceremony of Lyari’s Kakri Sports Complex and a university convocation in DHA, the foreign minister said that the PPP did not do politics against personalities, urging the youth to reject those who were inciting violence and hatred.

He said that the PPP’s battle was against poverty, unemployment, and inflation. He asked his supporters to get ready, as “good days” were ahead for the party and assured them that the PPP would redress the problems facing the people.

“The Peoples Party believes in democracy. We avenged rigging in the 2018 election by successfully moving a no-confidence motion [against former prime minister Imran Khan last year] and sending the incompetent one home,” Bilawal told the gathering in Lyari.

“The good days for the PPP are about to begin. We are not battling against any political party but poverty, inflation and unemployment,” Bilawal said. “It has been proved in the local bodies elections that when the umpire does not interfere, the PPP wins.”

Stressing that “we all have to resolve the people’s problems together”, Bilawal said that his party’s government in Sindh was giving opportunities to the youth. “We are trying to solve people’s problems.”

Bilawal also spoke about his personal attachment to the Lyari neighbourhood. He mentioned that it was the same Kakri Ground, where his mother late Benazir Bhutto and his father Asif Ali Zardari got married.

"The struggle for the country’s progress started from these streets. They were the people of Lyari who challenged dictator Ziaul Haq. You challenged [another military dictator Pervez] Musharraf from Kakri Ground and defeated martial laws," he said.

“Lyari and my family have a special relationship spanning over three generations,” he said. “The people of Lyari as well as all of Karachi will be given the right to health and sports. Provision of opportunities is the right of the youth [of Karachi],” he added.

The PPP chairman said that Wednesday marked the birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, adding that on her 70 anniversary, he inaugurated the sports complex at the venue of her wedding.

On the occasion, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab were also present. Later, Bilawal and Aseefa were witnessed cutting a birthday cake to commemorate their mother’s anniversary.

Earlier, Bilawal attended the third convocation of the DHA Suffa University. Speaking on the occasion, he said the Pakistan’s real capital was its youth but stressed that the country belonged to everyone.

He told the academia, students, their parents and the guests that the PPP’s politics was not against personalities, urging them to reject those elements who wanted to incite violence by misleading the youth.

“We are facing the challenges of rising inflation. The time has come for the youth to take over the country. We have to work together to end poverty and unemployment,” he said, urging to reject anyone who incited them to violence and hate speech.

“Today is the age of information technology and artificial intelligence. Our young generation believes in transparency and merit but we have to end hatred and divisions in politics. Our goal should be prosperity and development,” he exhorted.

At the convocation, Bilawal distributed 26 gold medals and 13 silver medals among position holders, while 270 passed-out students were given degrees. Sindh Chief Minister Murad also distributed degrees among engineering and science students.