PPP's 46th foundation day: Bilawal sets party's sights on 2018 elections

PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari promises to raise his voice for the poor.

KARACHI: We will show to the world by 2018 that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is still very much alive, said PPP patron in chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a rare public appearance at the party's 46th Foundation Day, which was held on Saturday at Bilawal House. 

In his speech, Bilawal highlighted the sacrifices and achievements of Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari, stating that the PPP has always challenged the status quo.

He also spoke about the rising cost of living in Pakistan and said the PPP will raise their voices on behalf of the poor.

'Personalisation' is taking place in the guise of privatisation, he said, adding that the PPP is opposed to 100 per cent privatisation.

"Our detractors say that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari does not speak the same language as common people," the young chairman said in his Urdu-language speech. "They do not realise that the relationship between me and [the party workers] transcends language."

At the end of his speech, Bilawal chanted party slogans along with the party workers in  and afterwards joined his sister Bakhtawar Bhutto and aunt Faryal Talpur to cut a cake in celebration of 46 years of the party's existence.

Several leading members of the PPP were in attendance including former ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman, Senior Senator Mian Raza Rabbani and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah.

Twitter reaction

PPP members tweet about Foundation Day:

https://twitter.com/BakhtawarBZ/status/406765178236071936

ZINDA HAI BB !! ZINDA HAI BB #PPP #PPPFoundationDay

— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) November 30, 2013

@BBhuttoZardari spoke with passion and unwavered courage. #PPP is all about people and their passion for what is right- Jeay #Bhutto

— Shazia Atta Marri (@ShaziaAttaMarri) November 30, 2013

Jiyehhhhh Bhutto “@PPP_Punjab_inf: Dilla Teer A Bija ---------------> #PPPFOUNDATIONDAY Jeeya Bhutto”

— Dr. Sharmila sahibah faruqui (Phd) s.i (@sharmilafaruqi) November 30, 2013

Happy PPP foundation day to PPP family. Shaheed Bhutto with his unmatched leadership qualities/wisdom gave pol awareness to poor masses.

— Senator Rehman Malik - Official Legacy (@SenRehmanMalik) November 30, 2013