PPP returns to Liaquat Bagh after 16 years

Bilawal tells election power show party can redress people’s grievances

RAWALPINDI:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari continued his scathing attacks on political rivals, asserting that neither Imran Khan nor Nawaz Sharif would ascend to the prime ministerial throne for another term.

The PPP chairman delivered a passionate speech at an election rally in Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, a place that evoked bitter memories as it was where his mother and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was tragically martyred in a gun and bomb attack in 2007. This rally marked the PPP's return to the venue since that fateful event.

“I am present in this city, Where [PPP founder] Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto sacrificed his life, and Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto gave her last speech,” Bilawal said, speaking to the crowd.
In his speech, the PPP chairman did not mention any of his political rivals by name.

He said that one person could never become the prime minister again, a reference to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.

پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری لیاقت باغ راولپنڈی کے جلسہ عام میں شریک شرکاء کے پرجوش استقبال کا خیرمقدم کررہے ہیں۔@BBhuttoZardari #چنو_نئی_سوچ_کو
#RawalpindiWithBilawal pic.twitter.com/MIDxQlhB5N

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) January 28, 2024

Similarly, he referred to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid and three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, when he said: “The people will not allow those dreaming of a fourth term as prime minister on February 8.”

Bilawal emphasised that the PPP’s 10-point electoral agenda provided practical solutions to the plethora of the problems facing the masses. He pledged that a PPP government would bring economic turnaround, provide employment, and eliminate the politics of hatred and division.

Read more: Nawaz says ready to face same hardships as nation

"Our country is in danger. The country is suffering economic crisis. Terrorists were defeated after too many sacrifices, but today they are raising their heads again. Today, this land is calling me and only the Peoples Party can save this country," he asserted.

“Time has come that no terrorist remained in Pakistan,” he said, adding: “There won’t be any ‘good Taliban’ or ‘bad Taliban’, if someone does not obey the Constitution of Pakistan, we will give them a resounding reply,” he added.

"The source of power is the people. You have to exercise your right to vote wisely. The people of Pakistan will support the Peoples Party on February 8, and you can foil the conspiracy against the county by stamping on the arrow," Bilawal said, rallying his supporters.

In a scathing attack on the Sharifs, he accused the PML-N of negating its own slogan of respect for the sanctity of the vote. He asked his supporters to tell the PML-N workers that their party was disrespecting the sanctity of the vote, therefore, they should vote for the arrow.

لائیو: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کا لیاقت باغ، راولپنڈی میں جلسہ عام https://t.co/Dft5ceLbmJ

— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) January 28, 2024

Turning his guns towards the PTI, he said that its founder Imran would not become the prime minister under any circumstances. He added that the party lost its electoral symbol of ‘bat’ because of the ineptness of its own leadership.

The first PPP rally in Liaquat Bagh in over 16 years attracted a massive crowd. The venue of the rally as well as the Murree Road were adorned with party flags. Over 3,000 chairs were placed in the venue, with a separate section for the women.