Former foreign minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that his party relies on the people's support rather than banking on the hopes that “khalai makhlooq” (aliens) will come to its assistance in the upcoming general elections.
In what appeared to be a veiled reference to those who allegedly manipulate election outcomes in Pakistan, Bilawal declared: "The rest of the politicians have hopes that 'space creatures' (a tacit reference to the powers that be) will help them, but only I have hope that the public will."
Addressing a public meeting in Punjab's Kot Addu district on Saturday, he asserted that he stood apart as the sole politician seeking votes directly from the people and relying on their trust.
During the public gathering, the PPP chairman pledged to bring about change if elected, promising that under his leadership, the interests of the rich and elite would be secondary to the well-being of the common man. "After [the PPP] comes to power, the rich and the elite will suffer while the common man will be given relief," he assured the audience.
Addressing his supporters, he urged them to engage with the wider public, advocating for his candidates.
Bilawal emphasised the significance of fulfilling the incomplete mission of his elders, saying, "Only an 'arrow' can hunt a 'tiger'," a reference to the electoral symbols of the PPP and PML-N.
In his vision for a potential PPP government, the scion of the Bhutto family outlined specific measures, stating: "If the PPP government is formed, farmers will be given cards."
He also made a commitment to addressing the housing crisis, vowing to build three million houses for the benefit of the underprivileged individuals.
"I promise that I will build three million houses for the poor people," he stated, portraying an agenda focused on social welfare and economic uplift.
The PPP outlined significant commitments in its manifesto, such as the construction of three million affordable houses, providing 300 units of free electricity to families through solar energy projects, introducing kisan cards, implementing the Benazir Mazdoor Card for the social security of labourers, expanding the scope of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), and launching poverty alleviation programmes.
Additionally, the PPP disclosed a schedule for Bilawal's 30 election rallies in various cities across the country.
Also read: Bilawal says not afraid of ‘politicians from Lahore’
Lahore jalsa
Bilawal is set to travel to Lahore on Sunday (today) and will subsequently deliver speeches at a sequence of election rallies in Chiniot, Sargodha, Lala Musa, Multan, and Rawalpindi before wrapping up his election campaign in Punjab.
Later, he will return to Sindh, the Bhutto family's stronghold, and conclude his party's nationwide election campaign in Larkana on Feb 6, visiting various cities in between.
Meanwhile, preparations for Bilawal’s rally in Lahore were at their peak.
The main stage at the assembly hall had been set up.
The PPP chief, who is in the race for NA-127 constituency in Lahore, will enter the cricket ground through a designated gate along with the party leadership.
A dedicated container has been arranged in the meeting hall for media coverage.
In addition, a specified route has been designated for participants attending the rally.
Moreover, chairs will be arranged in the expansive assembly hall for people to sit comfortably.
Similarly, light poles have been strategically installed throughout the assembly hall.
The PPP leader is up against PML-N’s Attaullah Tarar in NA-127.
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