PPP to hold rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on July 25

Party preparing to expand its organisational and electoral footprint in Punjab provincial capital

LAHORE:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Lahore President Faisal Mir on Sunday announced that the party would hold a major public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on July 25 to mark the birthday of President Asif Ali Zardari, while also unveiling plans to contest upcoming local government elections across all union councils of Lahore.

Addressing a press conference at Gulzar House in Lahore, Mir said the party was preparing to expand its organisational and electoral footprint in the provincial capital.

Flanked by former senator Ammar Ahmed Khan, son of veteran PPP leader former Senator Gulzar Ahmed Khan, he also welcomed Ammar Ahmed Khan and his family back into the PPP fold. PPP Lahore General Secretary Dr Ayesha Shaukat, Lahore Vice President Azain Gulzar, and Sehar Gulzar, daughter of Senator Gulzar Ahmed Khan, were also present on the occasion.

Mir claimed that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would address the gathering scheduled for July 25 at Minar-e-Pakistan. When asked about restrictions on holding rallies at the venue, he said the party would proceed regardless of any obstacles, stating: "We will hold a rally come what may".

Taking a swipe at the ruling PML-N, Mir rejected its claims of having transformed Lahore into one of the country's most developed cities, arguing that even areas surrounding the residences of the Sharif family lacked basic civic facilities.

He further said the PPP, through its growing popularity in Punjab, would create the political leverage required by the party's central leadership to challenge its main rival in the province.

Responding to a question about Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Mir remarked in a sarcastic tone that he had been restrained by his party from commenting on her, adding that claims of development were based on mere "window dressing".

He also said the PML-N was a political product of a military dictator and argued that its style of governance continued to reflect those origins.