Zardari scoffs at alliances marshalled against PPP

Former president confident party will secure countrywide victory in upcoming polls

KARACHI:

Former president Asif Ali Zardari has shrugged off concerns about emerging alliances aimed at challenging his party's dominance in the upcoming Feb 8 general elections. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Zardari said he was confident that PPP would secure victories across the nation in the upcoming polls while disregarding the electoral alliances marshalled against the party to put a dent in its electoral prospects.

The PPP co-chairman asserted the enduring legacy of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as a guiding beacon for the PPP. Zardari's remarks come as the PML-N in Sindh planned to forge an alliance with the GDA, MQM-P and JUI-F to contest against the PPP. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also scoffed at the alliance between MQM-P and PML-N, predicting that both parties would suffer from the political expediency.

The PPP slammed the Nawaz Sharif-led party – its former ally – for giving up on its 'vote ko izzat do' (respect the vote) narrative to ingratiate itself with the powers that be. Political manoeuvres intensified, with the PML-N attempting to rally Sindh-based parties in a bid to create a formidable alliance against the PPP in the province.

Read ‘Anti-PPP alliance will come to naught’

During recent meetings, the PML-N and the MQM-P reached agreements on crucial issues, including support for a constitutional reform package. The package included provisions for legalising local government structures and facilitating fund allocation to districts through a provincial finance commission.

Meanwhile, PML-N supremo Nawaz has taken strides towards building strategic partnerships across provinces ahead of the impending polls. His visit to Quetta on Tuesday aimed to consolidate alliances. In Sindh, discussions between the PML-N and the MQM-P leaders occurred in Lahore and Karachi, signalling a concerted effort to foster political unity.