PPP 'sole contender in Punjab fray': Bilawal

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday directed pointed jibes at the PML-N and PTI, asserting that his party was the sole contender in the political arena while "those said to be heavyweights" remain conspicuously absent from the scene.

Addressing his supporters following a dinner gathering with party workers from constituency NA-127 in Lahore, the former foreign minister emphasised the significance of the event, aimed at acquainting the people of Lahore, Punjab, with PPP’s dedicated workers “and to demonstrate our readiness for the contest”.

Deriding PML-N's claims of dominance in the region, he noted that the party was nowhere to be seen while its candidates remained unknown. He further questioned the purported influence of PTI in Lahore, urging the public to evaluate the reality of PTI's stronghold in the city. “The PPP is the sole party that is ready to contest the elections in Lahore.”

Bilawal also announced that Misbah ur Rehman has agreed to contest the elections from Lahore, emerging as the candidate for PP-160. Besides, the PPP finalised Faisal Mir as its candidate for PP-161. Similarly, Manzar Abbas Khokhar, formerly associated with PML-N and now a member of PPP, has been chosen to represent the Party in PP-162.

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Chairman Bilawal extended a warm welcome to Mr Bhatti, formerly a PTI ticket holder, who has switched allegiance to PPP. He will now stand as the PPP candidate for PP-163. In addition, Mr Gurkhi has been selected to represent the PPP in PP-157. Chairman Bilawal highlighted that this constitutes the PPP's electoral panel from NA-127.

Expressing confidence in implementing the PPP's message of unity and harmony, he affirmed the party’s commitment to commence this endeavour from NA-127. “We have to bury the conflicts within to work under the flag of the PPP, and strive for the sake of the ‘arrow’ and Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, to show the world that Lahore was, is and will forever belong to the Bhuttos.”

Bilawal emphasized, "We're not easily intimidated; we have never yielded to tyranny and remain steadfastly dedicated to serving the nation's people. Our party’s workers must reach every doorstep, spreading our message and the 10-point socioeconomic contract with the citizens."

He pledged to the people that if entrusted with the chance to lead as their prime minister, he would commit to doubling people's salaries within five years, ensuring 300 units of free electricity, and securing free, high-quality education for the youth. He expressed his desire to replicate the establishment of world-class healthcare facilities, free of charge, in Lahore and across Punjab, similar to the successful model implemented in Sindh.

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“We will also build three million houses for our poor brothers and give the ownership to the women of the households. It's crucial that the arrow is stamped on election day to make this a reality,” he said. Moreover, the onus is on the workers of the party to visit areas with temporary housing and tell them that the PPP government will regularise their housing.

“We will not only expand the Benazir Income Support Programme but facilitate our farmers and workers through the ‘Benazir Mazdoor Card’ and ‘Benazir Kissan Card’.” Chairman Bilawal directed the workers to apprise the youth of the PPP’s ‘Youth Card’, the aspiration behind which is to help them prosper by supporting them financially. “We also aim to eradicate hunger, for which we will initiate the ‘Bhook Mitao Programme’.”

He further said that he vows to ensure that the plethora of issues faced by the people are addressed, be it poverty, unemployment or inflation. “The PPP does not believe in the politics of hate and division, and it wishes to put an end to the traditional form of politics. We wish to introduce a new form of politics, that forgoes the personal vendettas and egoism.”

The elections are to take place on February 8, he added. Taking a jibe at the PML-N once again, he said that the PML-N has made a habit of running from the elections, be it the local government elections, by-elections or general elections.“The people now have to show the PML-N that the elections will take place on February 8 and it has nowhere to run. The PPP will be victorious and change the destiny of the people,” he asserted.