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Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressing a mammoth public rally in Chiniot said that he had come to the people of the region before the 2018 elections, then when the floods hit it, and now has come to visit the Jiyalas to campaign for the 2024 elections, and they have welcomed the Party with fervour and zeal each time. 

Chairman Bilawal said that the country is facing unprecedented price-hike, unemployment and poverty. We are witnessing a historic economic crisis. A societal crisis has also been created in our society by traditional politicians. They are engaging in the politics of division and hate instead of serving the people. They are doing politics of personal vendetta which is harming our society and economy. The PPP is doing politics to bury the traditional style of the politics of hate and division for good. We have to learn to live with political differences. The Jiyalas have tolerated the violence and injustice meted out by dictator General Zia ul Haq and in the first two tenures of Nawaz Sharif. The Jiyalas have dealt with dictator General Musharraf’s highhandedness and Imran Khan’s style of vendetta and victimisation. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was sent to the gallows, but upon coming to power, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto taught us that ‘Democracy is the best revenge’. She prioritised serving the people and solving their problems over settling personal scores. When President Zardari came to power after the martyrdom of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, he raised the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappay’. There was not one political prisoner during PPP’s five-year tenure. This is because the PPP believes in its narrative and manifesto. 

Chairman Bilawal said if given the opportunity, he will focus solely on serving the people and there will be no political prisoners. We will not have any woman political prisoner, as arresting sisters and daughters is not our politics or culture. This politics of hate has caused divisions between families and institutions. If the politicians of Pakistan keep fighting each other, then it will benefit all those wishing to harm Pakistan. Chairman Bilawal said that he has served as the Foreign Minister of the country, and he knows the conspiracies being hatched against Pakistan internationally. We cannot let this happen. 

Chairman Bilawal said that he has himself prepared a 10-point Awami economic agreement, which is symbolic of the promise he is making to the people, following the footsteps of Shaheed Quaid-e-Awam and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The Jiyalas of Chiniot should go door to door and apprise the people of the aims of the 10-point agenda. We are not instructing our workers to engage in the politics of hate, use foul language or violence against our political opponents. We are directing them to make the people aware of the PPP’s resolve to serve them. The first aim of the PPP after coming to power is double the wages of the people within five years. Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP aims to provide 300 units of electricity free-of-cost to all the deserving people. Moreover, we wish to implement Quaid-e-Awam’s promise of providing shelter to the people, as we are already doing for the flood victims in Sindh by constructing two million houses for them and giving ownership to the women of the households. Chiniot often suffers through floods, but not once has any other political party constructed any houses for it. The PPP promises to build three million houses all over the country, including Chiniot and give ownership to the women of the households. The PPP also wishes to give ownership rights to all those living in temporary housing, so that they too can live in the serenity of their own home. The PPP plans to not only expand the internationally-acclaimed Benazir Income Support Programme but also provide the women of the country with interest-free loans so that they can contribute to the economy. We wish to bring the ‘Benazir Kissan Card’ and ‘Benazir Mazdoor Card’ to provide financial assistance to the farmers and social security to the labourers. The federal government gives 1500 million rupees’ worth of subsidies to the elite of the country, the largest share of which goes to the energy sector followed by the fertiliser sector. The PPP deems this a great injustice, as electricity, gas and fertilisers are all out of reach of the people. The PPP also plans to introduce a system of crop insurance through the card given to the farmers. We are the only party that believes in ‘Kissan Khushaal, Mulk Khushaal’. For our labourer brothers and sisters from all backgrounds, the PPP will bring the ‘Benazir Mazdoor Card’ and will get them their due rights by devolving the numerous ministries operated by the federal government. Most importantly, the PPP resolves to introduce the ‘Benazir Youth Card’ for the brothers and sisters who go from pillar to post in search of employment, despite having the necessary educational qualifications. Through this card, the PPP wishes to empower the youngsters of the country by providing financial assistance to all those deserving of it, and simultaneously equipping them with the necessary skills and experience required. Through Youth Centers, the PPP aims to establish a place where the youth can access the internet, libraries and all other facilities needed to flourish. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was known for providing employment, and Chairman Bilawal too wishes to be remembered for the same, he expressed. 

Chairman Bilawal said that the people should ask whether those wishing to come to power for the fourth time established free healthcare institutions. No other country can compete with the number of patients suffering from cardiac ailments that the NICVD treats, and that too free-of-cost. Not one government provided a free healthcare institution for Chiniot, which the PPP aims to do within six months of coming to power. The ones wishing to compete with us wish to come to power the fourth time, but they should be asked what they did during three times. After coming to power, they only aim to engage in the traditional politics of hate and then repeat the ‘Mujhe Kyun Nikala?’ narrative. The PPP is contesting the elections to come to power, not to make excuses. Chairman Bilawal said that he needs only one opportunity to change the fate of the people. The people have to elect the PPP so that a rule of the people, farmers, labourers, youngsters and the downtrodden can be formed once again. The elections are set to take place on February 8, and this is the time that the conspiracy being hatched for the fourth time is rendered redundant, Chairman Bilawal said. If the workers of the PTI deem that the tough days are over, they are not ready for the revenge they will be subjected to if Nawaz Sharif comes to power for the fourth time, since their politics is based on revenge and violence. This is what the Jiyalas need to convey to the pro-democracy political workers. The contest is between the ‘arrow’ and the lion, and the arrow will be triumphant through the power of the vote. The arrow is the symbol of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, and all those contesting on it will be made victorious by the people of Pakistan. Allahyar Sipra, Sohail Zafar, Syed Hassan Murtaza, Syed Inayat Ali Shah and Syed Kaleem Ali Ameer will be representing the PPP from Chiniot.

Sahiwal, 22 January 2024: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressing a public gathering in Sahiwal said that he is grateful that the Jiyalas of Sahiwal have come to this gathering despite the harsh weather. 

Chairman Bilawal said that Pakistan is currently going through challenging times. The PPP is the only party which can solve the problems faced by the people whereas all other parties and politicians who are contesting these elections are doing the politics of hate and division. If they come to power then they will victimise their political opponents. The way poverty, inflation and unemployment are on the increase we cannot resolve these issues if we continue to be divided. I am contesting to bury the politics of hate and division, Chairman PPP said. We need the ideology of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto at this difficult period of our history. The 10-point Awami economic agreement which we have presented is the key to solve these problems. We will deal with poverty and inflation through this agenda. We will have to tread the same path as Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto when it comes to looking after the farmers, labourers and youth and confronting poverty and inflation. We had introduced the Benazir Income Support Programme for our women and we will not only extend this programme also provide interest-free loans so that the women of our country can start their own businesses and contribute in the country’s economy. We will also introduce the “Benazir Kissan Card” for the farmers of Sahiwal and Pakistan. The PPP’s philosophy has been that “Kissan Khushhal, Pakistan Khushhal”. We will provide crop insurance for the smaller farmers. We will give the financial help to the farmers through the “Benazir Kissan Card” instead of giving subsidy of 1500 billion rupees to the elite. 

The PPP will provide help to the labourers through “Benazir Mazdoor Card” so that they get their rights. This facility will be extended to every kind of labour force. We will also provide the “Youth Card” to the young population to help them financially for a year and also aim to provide them training and other facilities to acquire expertise. We will look after the youth till they get employment. We think that health is the right of every citizen. We will provide a system of health which allows for the establishment of free healthcare institutions all over the country, a feat we have already achieved in Sindh. We will establish universities and campuses for the youth at their doorstep in their own district. These are all promises included in the 10-point Awami economic agreement. 

The other parties want to divide us whereas we are contesting elections on our manifesto, Chairman Bilawal said. We will not use foul language against our political opponents. Chairman PPP directed all those in attendance in the gathering to take the Party’s manifesto to every doorstep and make them aware that the PPP is the only party which serves the people. We want to introduce a new kind of politics which revolves around serving the people. We will change the fate of the nation in one term as we do not need four terms in the government to fulfil our promises. We will change the destiny of the nation and the country. You have to work hard and take this message to every brother and sister of Sahiwal in the next 18 days, Chairman Bilawal said to the Party workers. We should opt for a new form of politics, the purpose of which is to serve the people, farmers, labourers, youth and the downtrodden masses of the country. Only two parties are contesting these elections. If you want to bury the politics of hate and division then you have to elect the Pakistan Peoples Party in these elections, Chairman PPP said. 

Chairman Bilawal said that he will change the fate of the country. If the people wish for a new leadership then they should stamp the arrow of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. If they believe that those engaging in the traditional form of politics should sit at home, then too, the symbol of the arrow is to be stamped. Chairman Bilawal said that he desires to complete the incomplete mission of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. When the PPP will be victorious, the people will be victorious. We will together complete the mission of Quaid-e-Awam and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Chairman PPP resolved.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressing a mammoth public gathering of the Party in Lahore said that he wishes to send a message to every person living in this city, province and country that they should not be disappointed. Pakistan facing an unprecedented economic crisis, with a historic surge in inflation, unemployment and poverty. The people are suffering, with the economic crisis on one hand and the social, political and democratic crises on the other. Pakistan is facing unabashed security challenges, as terrorists are again trying to emerge. Those who are still engaging in the politics of hatred and division are further dividing our society and country. The PPP will bury the politics of hate and division forever, with the support of the people. The PPP will help the country emerge from this plethora of crises. Pointing out the terrorists who are making efforts to submerge the country in chaos once again, Chairman Bilawal said that he will not let them do so. 

Chairman Bilawal said that he is contesting from Lahore himself in this election. It is said that Lahore is the heart of Pakistan. Currently, the heart of the country is shattered and we have come to Lahore to help heal the country once again by combatting all the problems faced by the country. They try to mock the PPP by taunting us that our strength is low. They need to be apprised that Lahore belongs to the PPP, not them. The citizens of Lahore set themselves on fire as a sign of protest over the killing of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. This is the same city that welcomed Shaheed Mohatrma Benazir Bhutto in a historic manner, and made her the first woman PM of the Muslim Ummah. Lahore is the city of people with honour, courage and loyalty. Chairman Bilawal said that we are believers of the ‘convoy of the 72’ and will continue to tread the path of justice and truth. 

Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP was distanced from Lahore and the province of Punjab due to a conspiracy, which harmed the labourers, farmers, youngsters, women and minorities of the region. ‘Showbaz’ and ‘Waseem Akram Plus’ were imposed on Punjab. “Is it the fate of the people of Lahore to bear such imposition repeatedly?”, Chairman Bilawal questioned. We cannot hand Pakistan over to these traditional politicians who have all come to power, some once and others thrice. They forget the people and their promises upon coming to power. PPP is the sole political party that fulfils its promises to the people. 

Chairman Bilawal said that he has himself prepared the ‘10-point agenda’ of the PPP because he knows that the common people are suffering due to inflation, poverty and unemployment. Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto fulfilled his promise of ‘Roti, Kapra Aur Makaan’ by taking from the elite and giving to the farmers and labourers. Chairman PPP said that the PPP once again, aims to adopt the narrative of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto by taking from those who are benefitted annually through subsidies worth billions. Chairman Bilawal said that if the 17 federal ministries are devolved, as per the 18th Amendment, then the money saved can be spent on the people. The elite enjoy subsidies worth 1500 billion rupees, and the PPP resolves to spend them on the downtrodden masses, the labourers, farmers and students. If the people give the PPP an opportunity to serve them, then the Party resolves to implement its 10-point charter. The Jiyalas of Lahore should go to every doorstep to apprise the people of the Party’s objective to double their income within five years, along with the numerous initiatives it plans to introduce. Chairman Bilawal said that he will implement Quaid-e-Awam’s promise of shelter to the people, by building three million houses will over the country and giving ownership to the women of the households. The Jiyalas should apprise the brothers and sisters living in temporary housing that the PPP aims to improve their living standards and regularise their houses. All those troubled by their electricity bills should be made aware that upon electing Chairman Bilawal, they will be provided 300 units of electricity free-of-cost through solar power. While addressing the women of Lahore, Chairman Bilawal said that his mother was martyred but he wishes to serve the women of the country just as a son would. The Party aims to expand the Benazir Income Support Programme and provide interest-free loans to the women so that they can gain financial independence and make their contribution in the economy. The farmers of the country should be told that the PPP is the only Party that is of the view that ‘Kissan Khushaal Toh Mulk Khushaal’. The PPP intends to introduce the ‘Benazir Kissan Card’ to provide financial assistance and insurance to the farmers for their crops. The labourers too will get their due share of rights, and will be provided social security through the ‘Benazir Mazdoor Card’. 

Chairman Bilawal said that the Jiyalas should apprise the youngsters of the sheer importance of their right to vote, given to them by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The PPP feels the pain of the youth, that goes from pillar to post in search of employment despite having several educational qualifications. Through the ‘Youth Card’, the PPP aims to provide financial assistance to the youngsters of the country, while simultaneously equipping them with the skills needed to flourish professionally. Chairman Bilawal said that it is his dream that no citizen of the country, be it a child or an adult sleep on an empty stomach. Hence, the PPP aims to introduce the ‘Bhook Mitao Programme’ to eradicate hunger from the country. 

Chairman PPP said that he resolves to complete the incomplete missions of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Two weeks remain in the elections, and the workers of the Party should continue their unyielding efforts. Only the PPP’s Jiyalas can be seen in the field, no one else. Even if the rest do not repose trust in democracy, the PPP’s workers should trust the people as only then can they be triumphant. When given the opportunity, Chairman Bilawal said that he will bury the politics of tyranny and revenge. He has seen this violent form of politics for three decades. The PPP respects political workers and activists. Addressing the workers of the self-proclaimed protectors of the ‘sanctity of the vote’, the followers of PML-N who combatted General Musharraf and bore torture for the sake of their party, Chairman PPP said that he will respect their ‘vote’ as he beckoned them to come to the PPP. Addressing the workers of PTI, Chairman PPP said that the PPP made incessant efforts to make Imran Khan realise that politics should be conducted in a dignified manner, and that using foul language or imprisoning the sisters and daughters of one’s opponents is not the correct way. Chairman Bilawal said that his family and Jiyalas have borne the torture of the PML-N owing to their political vendetta, and he does not wish for any other party to go through the same. Chairman Bilawal beckoned the workers of the PTI to support him so that he can bury this politics of personal vendetta. Upon becoming the PM, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto instructed to release all political prisoners and Yousaf Raza Gillani did the same. Chairman Bilawal said that after forming the government, he will establish a ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ forum to address the wounds of the provinces and the federation. The politics of hate, division, and distributing certificates of treason and fatwas out of personal vengeance will be put to an end. 

Chairman Bilawal said that he respects the opinions of others, and believes in consensus. The PPP’s stage itself is a testimony of this, as it hosts an array of political powers, including the PAT and Chaudhary Sarwar. Chairman Bilawal said that he would invite Tahir-ul-Qadri to take a proactive part in the politics of Pakistan as the country needs people like him. Chaudhary Sarwar and the PPP have agreed to work unitedly for the sake of the country. Chairman Bilawal said that Aitezaz Ahsan is on the stage who has supported the party for the last three generations and while there may be a difference of opinion, the PPP resolves to take everyone along and respect diversity. 

Chairman PPP said that the Party wishes to transform Pakistan into a modern state where the country’s farmers, labourers, youth, women and minorities can lead dignified lives. Chairman Bilawal raised the slogan of ‘Kal Bhi Bhutto Zinda Tha, Aaj Bhi Bhutto Zinda Hai’, while expressing the Party’s aim to serve the nation by following the footsteps of his ancestors.

Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has urged the nation, saying that he should be given an opportunity to serve as the Prime Minister not for four times, but only once, promising that he can transform the destiny of the country and pave the way for a prosperous Pakistan for future generations.

He pointed out that there are three weeks left for the elections, but no other party, including the PML-N, has yet presented its election manifesto to the public. He added, “They are not concerned about the people but about becoming prime minister for the fourth time.”

According to the press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, while addressing a Jalsa at Mehar in district Dadu, he said that doubling salaries after becoming prime minister was his first promise. Providing 300 units of solar power to poor families free of cost was the second. He said that if the PPP government is formed in the federation, three million house units will be built for the poor citizens across the country, and the ownership rights of these houses will be given to the women of these families. “This is not new to you, the people of Dadu, because you know I am building such houses for the flood victims of Dadu district. If we get the opportunity, we will increase the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and also give them interest-free loans for business to women,” he said, reiterating his commitment to launch the Benazir Kisan Card, Benazir Mazdoor Card, and Benazir Youth Card to provide financial assistance to the workers and youth across the country. “My dream is that no child, no citizen of Pakistan should sleep hungry. To fulfill this dream, I will start the Bhook Mitao Program at the union council level,” he vowed.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari once again reminded the people that in the current elections, the competition is only between the Arrow and the Lion. He added that the said Lion sucks the blood of the people and hides in the house instead of hunting itself. He said that this Lion demands someone else to hunt for it, take action against its opponents, and also imprison its opponent. When there is a hunt, when the opposition is managed, then this Lion comes out of the house. “Today, for the first time, that Lion has been seen somewhere. But I’m going back to Punjab tomorrow to hunt the Lion,” he said.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that he is going to Punjab tomorrow, and he will tell the people of South Punjab that the PPP is “ready to hunt the Lion.” “Jiyalas know better how to hunt the Lion.” He said that we would not accept that anyone should be made prime minister for the fourth time, and asked, “Why should a person who failed three times be accepted as prime minister for the fourth time?”

The PPP chairman said that he has fulfilled whatever the public asked him to do. “I had said that we will end Khan Sahib’s government, so I ended it. They (opponents) used to say this has not happened in history, and he can’t do that. But, I did that in history and elected mayors of Karachi and Hyderabad. I still say that we will win the elections and establish “Awami Raj” and hand over the post of Prime Minister to the Jiyalas,” he added.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that we want to do politics with new thinking, as people are fed up with the politics of old politicians, which is the politics of hatred, division, and revenge. He appealed to the people to make the PPP win with a huge majority on February 8. “From Kashmore to Karachi, there should be the rain of arrows, and no one else should be seen. Do not waste votes, but stamp the arrow and give PPP a huge majority,” he urged.

The PPP chairman took oath from the party candidates, Irfan Leghari, Rafique Jamali, Abdul Aziz Junejo, Fayyaz Butt, Pir Mujeeb-ul-Haq, and Saleh Shah Jilani that they would serve the people of their constituencies after winning the elections and would not ignore them.

Former President of Pakistan and President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Asif Ali Zardari has said that if any country looks at Pakistan with ill-intentions, then it will be given a response accordingly.  

President Zardari said that Pakistan is a peace-loving country, but those who wish to target it should think a hundred times before doing so. We have always advocated for peace around the globe and have prioritised it as well. 

President Zardari said that the Pakistan Army is among the best in the world and our forces know how to defend the country. We desire cordial and fraternal relations with our neighbors but only on the basis of equality.

Former President of Pakistan and President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Asif Ali Zardari has said that if any country looks at Pakistan with ill-intentions, then it will be given a response accordingly.  

President Zardari said that Pakistan is a peace-loving country, but those who wish to target it should think a hundred times before doing so. We have always advocated for peace around the globe and have prioritised it as well. 

President Zardari said that the Pakistan Army is among the best in the world and our forces know how to defend the country. We desire cordial and fraternal relations with our neighbors but only on the basis of equality.

Lahore/Islamabad/Karachi, 17 January 2024: Former President of Pakistan and President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Asif Ali Zardari inaugurated the election office of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in constituency NA-127 Lahore. 

President Zardari addressing the workers of the party recalled the time when he was incarcerated in Lahore and the women and men workers used to call him at the time of the hearing of the cases against him. He also recalled that he had sowed a mango tree besides the mango tree sowed by the Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in jail. The two trees are now bearing fruit. 

Asif Ali Zardari said that his political struggle goes back over 40 years. He said that the workers are always proud of their leaders who go to jail for the rights of the people. He said that the Jiyalas will work hard and make Bilawal Bhutto Zardari a member of the National Assembly from this constituency and then he will become the Prime Minister of the country.

In-charge Central Election Monitoring Cell of Pakistan Peoples Party, Taj Haider in a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner.

Following is the full text of the letter:- 

“Allotment of Party symbol (Arrow) to our candidate on PP 163. 

We have the honor to bring to your kind notice that regretfully in spite of agreement of the learned lawyer of the Commission in the hearing of the above case in Lahore High Court this morning, on allotting the Party symbol (Arrow) to our candidate on PP 163, the extremely biased Returning Officer of the constituency has raised frivolous objections on the issue of Party ticket to our candidate Mr. Fayyaz Bhatti. 

Under Section 66 of the Election Act 2017, the presentation of the Party ticket by a candidate to the Returning Officer is sufficient proof of affiliation of the candidate with that political Party. It is unfortunate that the RO with malafide intent continues to obstruct the allotment of the Party ticket to our candidate. His action and attitude amounts to a clear contempt of the Honorable Lahore High Court.  

In this situation besides requesting that the symbol should be allotted to our candidate without further delay we demand that the biased Returning Officer should be removed from his position.”

Islamabad, 13 January, 2024: In-charge Central Election Monitoring Cell of Pakistan Peoples Party, Taj Haider in a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner.

Following is the full text of the letter:- 

“Sub: Denial of PPPP symbols to PPPP Ticket holders.

We have the honour to bring to your notice the prevailing trend in Punjab of denial of our Party election symbol (Arrow) to our Ticket holders and placing them in the category of independent candidates. Our serious concerns over such denials may kindly be noted.

According to Section 66 of the Election Act 2017, ’a declaration before the Returning Officer about his affiliation with a particular political party, if any, along with a certificate from the political party showing that he is that party’s candidate from that constituency’ is the only and the final requirement for ‘seeking allotment of a prescribed symbol’. There is no ambiguity in this Section of the Election Act 2017 and it should be followed in letter and spirit.   

You would agree Sir, that the whole system of our constitutional democracy is built around the basic structure of political parties. Accepted that citizens have the option of contesting elections as independent candidates but, we have repeatedly experienced that the presence of independents in an elected house does open an unfortunate window for horse trading and exerting pressures on the elected independents. 

Independent Candidates are often elected by taking advantage of ‘parochial, racial, tribal, sectarian and provincial prejudices’ fault lines among our citizens. Under Article 33 of our Constitution it is the duty of the State to discourage such and similar such prejudices. Instead citizens should be encouraged to vote on the performance, policies and manifestos of political parties. Pushing valid candidates who are affiliated to a party and also submit required documents before Returning Officers at the time of seeking a prescribed symbol, outside the fold of that party and into the category of independents runs contrary to the provisions of Article 33 of our Constitution and the necessary and sufficient requirements of Section 66 of the Election Act 2017.   

We request issuance of your general instructions to all ROs and DROs to allot prescribed symbols under Section 66 of the Election Act 2017, to all candidates who have at the time of seeking a prescribed symbol submitted a certificate from their party regarding their affiliation to that Party.” 

Bahawalpur, 13 January 2024: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressing the Party’s public gathering in Bahawalpur, Punjab said that the Jiyalas are running the electoral campaign nationwide. The PPP is contesting the elections not because of any personal interest, but to serve the people. Pakistan is going through a tumultuous time and is facing a historic economic crisis, with unprecedented increases in inflation, unemployment and poverty. When Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto laid the foundation of the Party, the country was going through a financial crisis then too, the Quaid-e-Awam gave us a manifesto that helped strengthen the downtrodden masses of the country, including the poor farmers and labourers. Once again, we require a pro-people, pro-labourer, pro-farmer and pro-poor government. The rest of the political parties represent the elite while the PPP represents the common people. If the people stamp the symbol of the arrow, then the government forming resultantly will be theirs. The Pakistan Peoples Party, following the footsteps of Shaheed Quaid-e-Awam is contesting the elections based on a 10-point economic contract. 

Chairman Bilawal said that his first aim would be to not only increase the wages, but double them within five years. The workers of Bahawalpur should apprise the people of the PPP’s aims, which include providing free and quality education to the people, establishing an IT university in the city and nationwide. It is the PPP’s promise to Bahawalpur that it will establish free-of-cost healthcare institutions such as the NICVD. We will begin with South Punjab, and every district of the region will get a free hospital, followed by the rest of Punjab. When Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was in office, he gave ownership to the people, and launched a ‘5 Marla scheme’, and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto introduced a ‘7 Marla scheme’. The people should support the PPP so that it can fulfil its aims of building three million homes for the people nationwide, as it is already doing in Sindh, while giving ownership to the women of the households. Chairman Bilawal directed the Party’s workers to go to every area with temporary housing, and let the people know that it is our aim to regularise the construction and give them ownership so they too can live in the serenity of their own home. 

Chairman Bilawal instructed the Party workers to go to every doorstep and tell the people that the PPP plans to expand the revolutionary, internationally-acclaimed Benazir Income Support Programme to incorporate employment, education and health facilities for the poor women of the country. The PPP also aims to give interest-free loan to the poor women of the country so they can make their contribution to society while attaining independence. “Bilawal Bhutto’s government will introduce the ‘Benazir Mazdoor Card’ and the ‘Benazir Kissan Card’ to provide the labourers and farmers of the country with financial assistance directly”, Chairman Bilawal resolved. Subsidies will be provided directly to the growers and farmers so that their crops are insured and they do not have to bear the burden of any unforeseen catastrophe.

Addressing the youth, Chairman Bilawal said that he plans on introducing the ‘Youth Card’ to provide the youngsters with financial assistance as well as equip them with the necessary skills to see to it that they flourish professionally. The PPP will also establish ‘Youth Centers’ in every district. The PPP also aims to initiate the ‘Bhook Mitao Programme’ to combat with hunger on the level of union councils, and provide free lunch in schools, as well as look after the new mothers and infants for the first thousand days so that no one goes to sleep on an empty stomach in the country. 

Chairman PPP said that he is contesting the elections on these 10 points, and the PPP will be victorious and a government of the people will be formed. The PPP is not competing with any other party, it is the party of martyrs. The PPP’s only competition is the inflation, poverty and unemployment. When given the opportunity, the PPP will show how a government can cater to the poor, farmers and labourers. The PPP is the only party that has the skills to do this, and its history is a testimony of this. It is the season of elections and the PPP is focusing especially on Punjab, and the Party will be triumphant in all the provinces. The PPP will not only form the federal government, but also the provincial governments. A Jiyala will be the CM of Punjab, Chairman Bilawal said.  

Chairman PPP said that the Jiyalas of the Party would have to struggle for their victory and work hard as if it is a matter of life and death. We have all the answers to the problems that the country is faced with. None of the other parties are interested in the crises faced by their people, they only care for power and have resorted to settling scores against each other out of personal vendettas. The PPP wishes to bury the traditional politics of hate and division, and will introduce a new form of politics, the aim of which would be to serve the poor and downtrodden. One political party is contesting the elections to avoid prison, while the other is doing so for its leader to be released from jail. The PPP is the only party that is contesting solely for the people. 

Chairman PPP said that when someone is out to hunt a lion, a bat is rendered redundant, and only the arrow works. This is the season of hunting, and the people have to prove that ‘Aaj Bhi Bhutto Zinda Hai’, by stamping the symbol of the arrow on February 8. Chairman Bilawal said that Ali Hasan Gilani and Hafiz Hussain are the Party’s representative from Bahawalpur, and they are to be made victorious. Malik Shahrukh is the Party’s candidate from the provincial and National Assemblies, and he has to win so that the people can be served by the Party. Abdul Mujeeb Chanar, Naseem Shah, Amin Shah, Rifatur Rehman, Dost Muhammad Khosa, Tatheer ul Hassan and Mr. Gardezi are the Party’s candidates and will be triumphant with the support of the people. 

Chairman Bilawal welcomed Zafar Warraich to the Party and announced that he will be contesting on its behalf in Rahimyar Khan.