Next PM won’t hail from Lahore: Bilawal

PPP chairman says outcome of Karachi local govt by-polls precursor to general elections

KARACHI:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the nation will not pick “a prime minister from Lahore” as was clear from his party’s win in the local government by-polls.

He expressed confidence that the outcome of the by-polls in Karachi was a precursor to the general elections.
“The local elections have shown that the people stand with the PPP, even when we were not in government," he said while talking to media.

The former foreign minister affirmed that only the PPP held the key to addressing people's problems, liberating the country from economic distress, poverty and inflation, and creating employment opportunities.

Emboldened by the polls’ result, he further said that the PPP was poised to form a federal government with local and provincial governments after the February 9 elections, a date he predicted will see an irrefutable victory for the 'arrow' (PPP's symbol).

"Come February 9, it will become clear that victory belongs to the 'arrow'," he stated.

His remarks come as the PPP has been alleging a covert coalition between the PML-N and the present caretaker government as election fever intensifies after the announcement of the poll date.

It has also expressed a willingness to form an alliance with PTI.

‘Sun of Bilawal’s victory’

Meanwhile, in an official statement, former president Asif Ali Zardari expressed faith in his son's upcoming victory in the general elections and welcomed the announcement of the election date.

“The sun of February 8 will rise with the message of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s victory.”

“A few days of the public’s difficulties are left. The PPP will bring an end to the people’s ordeals,” he added.

He thanked the public for the party’s victory in by-elections held in Karachi’s nine local government constituencies a day ago.

“Sindh’s heart, Karachi, also raised the slogan of ‘Jiye Bhutto’,” Zardari said while terming Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab and Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad’s wins a “special message for the opponents”.

“Every party worker may become the ambassador of Benazir Bhutto shaheed and start the electoral campaign,” he added.

‘Sindh treated as stepchild’

During his media interactions, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also touched upon the news of the contact between his father and Nawaz, saying it was old.However, he affirmed that the PPP remains open to alliances and would adhere to its manifesto.

In discussing President Arif Alvi, he noted that the current constitution allows the president to hold office until the electoral college's completion but criticised violations of the constitution committed by the president.
"PPP has been talking about this issue for over 15 months," he said.

Besides, he said that despite the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) banning development schemes, work continues in Punjab and the federation. He noted the discriminatory treatment between Punjab and Sindh, where the caretaker chief minister has been denied permission for development, treating Sindh as a “stepchild”.