How PML-N got Punjab is open secret: Talpur

Says Punjab govt is weak; urges PPP to make inroads

LAHORE:

PPP Women's Wing President Faryal Talpur has urged party workers to capitalise on the weakness of the PML-N led Punjab government, saying the way the PML-N secured its mandate in the province in the February 8, 2024 general elections was an open secret.

Talpur, who is on a week-long visit to Punjab, held three meetings at the party's Central Secretariat, including separate sessions with office-bearers from Lahore Rural, Kasur and Sheikhupura districts and representatives of civil society. Complaints against the party's provincial leadership and a breakfast controversy marred her meetings on Friday.

During one of the meetings, the PPP Kasur senior vice president complained that the Governor House was inaccessible to party leaders in their personal capacity, forcing them to approach either the party's general secretary or the Central Punjab office to seek access.

He said if party ticket-holders were not welcome at the Governor House, they should be told so upfront. Similar complaints were raised during a Central Punjab meeting chaired by Raja Pervez Ashraf around a month ago. Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan belongs to the PPP.

According to party sources, upon hearing the complaint, Talpur—who is a sister of President Asif Ali Zardari and aunt of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari—called Governor Khan, who subsequently arrived at the party office and met her.

During a separate meeting with Lahore Rural office-bearers, one party representative lashed out at the Central Punjab leadership for asking him to keep his remarks brief to accommodate more participants.

According to sources, several other office-bearers voiced concerns over the attitude of the provincial leadership. While Talpur was holding the meetings, more than a dozen party supporters gathered outside the party secretariat to protest against Central Punjab General Secretary Hassan Murtaza.

The protest followed disciplinary actions against two Lahore office-bearers over allegations of running a smear campaign against Murtaza. One office-bearer was denotified, while another was issued an explanation notice.

Party sources said Talpur was informed about the protest outside the secretariat and subsequently asked Central Information Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan to look into the matter.

The protesters were assured that an impartial inquiry would be conducted, following which a three-member committee comprising Chan, Qamar Zaman Kaira and Rana Farooq Saeed was constituted.

Separately, addressing party workers from Sheikhupura and Kasur, Talpur urged them to overcome despondency, strengthen grassroots organisation and prepare for the upcoming local government (LG) elections, saying that political parties never cease to exist.

She said the PPP had never practised power politics, urging workers not to underestimate either the party or themselves. "The PPP knows how to play the role of an opposition party," she said.

Talpur asked the Sheikhupura district president and general secretary to complete party organisation down to the ward level and make comprehensive, union council-wise preparations for the LG elections.

She said workers needed to come out of their homes, support one another and stand by party colleagues in difficult times. She also urged them to overcome depression and become one another's friends and sources of support.