PPP struggles to woo Balochistan electables

Faces twin challenges of converting crowd support into vote bank, securing electable despite impressive rallies

QUETTA:

As the PPP zooms around provinces hunting for its share of the political pie and voters, its electoral success encounters dual challenges – securing a sway over electables and effectively converting crowd support into a potential vote bank when the country goes to the ballot next year.

The reality hit home after the PPP organised an impressive political show in Balochistan after more than a decade on Friday. The event successfully attracted crowds of supporters from various regions of Balochistan, with the participation of PPP workers from Sindh further bolstering the turnout on the occasion of the party's 56th foundation day.

PPP decision-maker Asif Ali Zardari and party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari declared Balochistan as the heart of Pakistan. They recalled the party's policies, including the 18th Amendment, NFC Award, and Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan package in their fiery speeches.

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Despite these efforts, securing the support of influential ‘electables’ from Balochistan eluded the party. Converting the amassed crowd into a solid vote bank remains a formidable challenge for the PPP. The public meeting came after PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s Quetta visit earlier in November paid off and the former premier won the support of more than 70 per cent of electables from the region – dealing a blow to the PPP.

Now, Zardari has set his sights on wooing Balochistan’s influential figures to form a prospective provincial government, engaging in a series of meetings with 'electables', including former Balochistan CM Jam Kamal Khan, alongside Bilawal.

However, the majority of electables, including Kamal, former provincial ministers Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, Muhammad Khan Lehri, Mir Karim Nowsherwani, Dostain Khan Domki, Sardar Masoon Luni, and several others, have already aligned themselves with the PML-N.

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During their visit, Nawaz and his daughter Maryam Nawaz engaged in crucial discussions with the leaders of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), National Party, and Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) regarding potential electoral alliances for the imminent general elections.

On the flip side, leaders from major political parties did not hold significant meetings with Bilawal and Zardari. The effectiveness of the Sharif father-daughter duo in strategising for the upcoming elections appeared more impactful compared to the Bhutto father-son duo, considering their engagements and discussions.Zardari arrives in Lahore

In a parallel development, former president Zardari arrived in Lahore on Friday, marking his visit from Quetta.
His presence in the city is in connection with attending the wedding ceremony of PPP leader Mehreen Anwar Raja's son. During his three-day stay in Lahore, he is expected to chair various meetings focusing on election-related matters. Additionally, the PPP leaders in Punjab and Lahore are slated to hold discussions with Zardari during his visit.

(With additional input from our Lahore correspondent)