News

Election campaign in NA-127

Lahore/Islamabad/Karachi, 6 January 2024: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari talking to the media in Lahore, constituency NA-127 on Saturday said that “A perception is given on the television that Lahore has canals of milk and honey whereas in my tours, I have witnessed that the city needs ample work”. He said that people from every strata of the society live here but the government always represents the elite. 

Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP represents every strata of the society and believes in inclusive politics. The PPP’s 10-point agenda will be able to eradicate issues such as unemployment, poverty and inflation. For this, we need the support of the people.  

Responding to questions by the journalists, Chairman Bilawal said that the elections are to be held on 8 February and no resolution by the Senate, United Nations or OIC can delay it. The Chief Justice has said that 8 February is written in the stone as the polling day and InshaAllah elections will be held on 8 February. The people will exercise their right to vote. The PPP should be given a chance so that the issues of the people are solved. 

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the PPP has contested elections in very difficult circumstances. Those who are complaining about rejection of their nomination papers should know that in 2013 more nomination papers were rejected than now. Our demand has been for free and fair elections. We have 10-point agenda and believe that the people will support us. The PPP was founded in this city, Lahore. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had chosen this city to land after returning to the country from exile in 1986. The PPP workers were arrested in this city and they self-immolated after the martyrdom of Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in protest. It is the right of the PPP to have a claim on this city. Anti-democratic people like General Zia and General Hameed Gul imposed other political parties in this province just to keep the PPP out of this province. The PPP thinks that Lahore belongs to us and this is the reason that we are starting the election campaign from this city. We are ready to contest elections and want to revive the relation with this city which we had during the times of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Chairman Bilawal said. 

Chairman PPP responding to another question said that he was studying at the University of Oxford during the PPP government of 2008-2013. The performance of this government was better than the governments in 2013 and 2018. The PPP’s economic policy, the alleviation of poverty, support for the downtrodden, the right of the province were all the achievements of our government in 2008-2013. Shehbaz Sharif was able to work because through the NFC, the PPP provided the required resources. 

“I regret that Shehbaz Sharif’s government did not represent the youth, labourers and growers but the elite, industrialists and business community”, Chairman Bilawal said. He further said that it is his right to struggle for the cause of the poor of this province. The PPP will be triumphant. The PPP always fulfilled the promises made in its manifestoes in the past. In 2007, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had given a manifesto which was implemented during the Party’s government in 2008-2013. We introduced the 18th Amendment in the Constitution as well as the Benazir Income Support Programme. Chairman Bilawal said that the promises made in Sindh were all implemented. The promises which were made to the flood victims are being fulfilled. We will fulfill all the promises made to the youth, labourers and growers in our 10-point manifesto. We have promised to double the income of the people in the next five years and give 300 units of electricity to the poor free-of-cost. Behind these aspirations, we have got a strategy and the finances necessary. When the PPP comes to power, the people will reap the benefits of this 10-point agenda. Chairman Bilawal said that he is contesting the elections to see to it that his manifesto is implemented, while the PML-N’s intention to contest the elections is to help their leader avoid prison while the PTI is doing the same for its leader to be released from prison. 

Earlier speaking at a church in Bahar Colony, in the constituency NA-127 Chairman Bilawal said that his grandfather, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto laid the basis of the Pakistan Peoples Party in Lahore. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto too had chosen the city of Lahore to land when returning to the country from exile in 1986. Chairman PPP said that he has chosen to contest from Lahore so that the PPP can once again take ownership of the city and its people, as it has in the past. The PPP is the sole party that does not believe in the politics of hate and division. It believes in equality, and that is the very message it will be contesting the elections with. Chairman Bilawal said that he wishes to be the representative of the people so that we can convey to the entire world that there is a path separate from that treaded by the traditional politicians who believe in hate and division. We wish to play our role in helping the country progress. He said that he has come to the people to ask for their support, as nothing can then be an obstacle for him. Chairman Bilawal said that he is of the people and will stay theirs, and will not let anyone harbour any ill-intentions towards them. “If anyone harbours any ill-intentions, then they would have to go through me. I stand shoulder to shoulder with the people and will not allow for injustice to be meted out”, Chairman Bilawal resolved. The PPP has always represented the downtrodden, which is why its leadership and workers have been targeted and martyred so that other parties can fill the vacuum created. “PPP’s governor sacrificed his life and my brother Shaheed Shahbaz Bhatti was martyred” Chairman Bilawal said. The PPP was deliberately distanced from Punjab as per a planned conspiracy, it was maligned and attack. Chairman Bilawal said that he has returned to form a government of the people, and get the PPP its due rights. “It is our appeal from the people to represent me, like my advocates and ambassadors and to take the Party’s manifesto to every doorstep”, Chairman Bilawal said. The people and the PPP will be victorious. 

Chairman Bilawal toured his constituency during his election campaign and met with the people. He also visited different churches in Bahar colony and Modern colony. He also visited the residences of Pastor Anwer Fazal, Bishop Naeem Parshad and the head offices of the Isaac television in the constituency. The people including women and children came out of their houses to greet Chairman Bilawal and at several places showered rose petals on the campaigning party.

                                                                                                                               

Secretary General of Pakistan People’s Party, Senator Taj Haider, in a press statement issued today, has cautioned that those who were demanding postponement of General Elections were demoralising the entire nation and encouraging and emboldening the handful of person who were indulging in heinous terrorist acts. This Nation, its Constitution and its democratic system could not be held hostage by small terrorist groups.

Democracy and Terrorism cannot co-exist. The Government of Pakistan People’s Party had liberated large areas of Pakistan which had been occupied by terrorist groups during the Musharraf dictatorship. Discontinuation of operation against these groups by the succeeding PML(N) government under the cover of negotiations gave the defeated  terrorist organisations the time and space to regroup and rearm and to rise once again as a potential threat to our peace and security.

Senator Taj Haider said that the succeeding PTI government went one step further in appeasing terrorist groups when it invited thousands of armed terrorist to set up their camps on the soil of Pakistan. The continuing shahadats of our Jawans on a daily basis are a direct result of that facilitation of terrorism made by the PTI Government.

We owe it to the blood of our Shaheed Jawans to stand shoulder to shoulder with them in the war against terrorism and not to spread fear, despondency and uncertainty which directly help extremist and terrorist groups in their nefarious attempts to derail democracy.

Fear, Frustration and Despondency are poisons for our national life, peace and security. Pakistan People’s Party ever since it was established as a political platform for the working classes and the marginalised ones has courageously stood against extremism and terrorism. Let the discussion on any kind of postponement of the electoral process be buried for ever and let the Constitution and Democracy prevail.

                                                                                                                               

Following is the full text of the letter:- 

“SUBJECT: Blatant violation of the code of conduct in NA-190 (Jacobabad)

 Respected Sir,

We have the honour to draw your kind attention towards blatant violation of Code of Conduct in Jacobabad with the assistance of police by Mr. Muhammad Mian Soomro (candidate in NA-190 Jacobabad). Mr. Soomro is an independent candidate. We are attaching 2 videos.

In the videos it can be seen that police protocol is being provided to the above-named candidate and police mobiles are following his vehicle.

This is only the beginning of spreading fear among the voters and creating impression that they are above law and have already been selected.

We request you to kindly take action under the law which provides a deterrent to other persons as well.”

                                                                                                                               

Pakistan Peoples Party has issued the following schedule of Public gatherings which will be addressed by the Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in connection with the election campaign in all four provinces of Pakistan.

Date City 

10 January Swabi, KP

11 January  Tandianwala, Faisalabad

12 January  Layyah

13 January  Bahawalpur

14 January  Nasirabad, Balochistan

14 January evening  Khairpur Mirs

15 January  Larkana

16 January  Qambar Shahdadkot

17 January  Badin

17 January evening Sanghar

18 January Noshero Feroz

18 January evening Mehar, Dadu 

19 January Rahimyar Khan

20 January Kot Addoo

21 January Lahore

23 January Chiniot

24 January Sargodha

25 January Lala Musa

26 January Multan

27 January Peshawar

28 January Rawalpindi

29 January District Kurram

30 January Dera Ismail Khan

31 January Malakand

1 February Khuzdar

2 February Kandhkot, Kashmore and Shikarpur

3 February Mirpurkhas

4 February Hyderabad

5 February Karachi

6 February Larkana

                                                                                                                               

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressing a workers’ convention of the Party in Jati Umra, Lahore said that he is grateful to Chaudhary Abdul Ghafoor for not only joining the PPP but contesting the election on its ticket. The PPP will run its full-fledged electoral campaign in NA-125 and will be triumphant.  

Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP is contesting the elections from every constituency. It is contesting the elections to win. The workers of the Party have to work hard day and night. We do not believe in the politics of hatred and division, and will take our manifesto to the people, and contest the elections based on that, as done by our ancestors, Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The Jiyalas have to go to every doorstep and apprise the masses of the ‘10 promises’ the Party has made. Our 10-point agenda and the economic plan it contains should be conveyed to the people. We have to make the people of Raiwand understand that if they wish to form a government of the people, labourers, farmers and students, then PPP is the sole option, not the PML-N or PTI. The first question you have to ask the people is whether they have got buying power, and the answer will not be affirmative. Our first promise with the people of Pakistan is to double their income within five years, as an effort to increase their buying power. This is our first promise and target. The second question that you need to ask the people is whether they can afford to pay their electricity bills. Our second promise is to provide 300 units of electricity free of cost to the downtrodden masses of the country. Our third promise is to provide free, quality education so that every child has the opportunity to learn. Only the PPP can do this. It is the only party that has established education institutions in every province, from Kashmir to Karachi. Our fourth promise is to provide free of cost, quality healthcare as we have done in different districts of Sindh, including NICVD, Gambat, SIUT etc. These are not mere claims, like the PML-N and PTI. We have done this in Sindh, and wish to serve the people of the entire country in the same manner. Has the government given any free-of-cost hospital in Raiwand? When they face cardiac issues, they run to London. At that time too, we had told them that we have established NICVD and they should have gone there. When they face such issues again, which they ought to after February 8, they can access the same medical treatment in Raiwand, when the PPP establishes hospitals here. Our fifth promise is to build three million houses for the less fortunate and give the women ownership, as we are doing in Sindh. Imran Khan had promised five million houses to the people but could not even build one. We are following the footsteps of Shaheed Quaid-e-Awam, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who introduced the ‘5 Marla Scheme’ and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who brought the ‘7 Marla Scheme’. We also wish to give ownership to those living in temporary housing all over the country so they too can feel the security of having a place to call home. We will not only provide them with houses but also regularise temporary accommodation. Our sixth promise is to expand the revolutionary, internationally acclaimed Benazir Income Support Programme introduced by President Zardari to incorporate education, employment and health. We wish to restore all the features of the programme that faced hindrances during the Sharif and Khan tenures in the past, who tried to snatch its name and rob the people of their rights. Our seventh promise is to introduce the ‘Kissan Card’ for our farmers, so that the small farmers of the country can directly reap the benefits of the subsidies that are otherwise enjoyed by mill owners and industries. Similarly, we wish to bring a ‘Mazdoor Card’ for our labourers so that they can attain financial and health benefits, and get their due rights. We wish to support the youth, that constitute 70% of the country’s population. They face immense challenges during this tumultuous time, especially when it comes to getting jobs after completing their education. They are told that they do not have the experience to work despite having the required qualifications. We wish to introduce the ‘Youth Card’ and assist these youngsters financially for a year as they look for employment opportunities. Through this card, we will also provide facilities to the students, especially scholarships and student loans for the deserving youngsters. Our last point, which we believe is imperative is the ‘Bhook Mitao’ programme which we wish to initiate at the level of the union councils, because with the way in which inflation, unemployment and poverty have increased in an unprecedented manner, so has hunger. The PPP will derive a solution for this as well. 

Chairman Bilawal expressed his gratitude to the Party workers, and directed them to take the PPP’s ‘10-point’ manifesto to every doorstep and make them understand that the PPP wishes to put an end to the traditional politics of hate and division. The PPP wishes to introduce a new form of politics, so that we can change the fate of the people. We do not consider any party our competition, enemy or opponent. Our only rival is the poverty, inflation and unemployment, which can only be defeated by choosing the symbol of the arrow and making the PPP victorious.

                                                                                                                               

The Human Rights Cell of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) joins the nation in solemnly commemorating the death anniversary of the esteemed Salman Taseer Shaheed, former Governor of Punjab. On this occasion, we honor his unwavering commitment to defending the rights of religious minorities and standing up against discrimination, hatred, and extremism.

Salman Taseer Shaheed was an exceptional leader who dedicated his life to the principles of justice, equality, and social harmony. His courageous stance in advocating for the rights of religious minorities, particularly his defense of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman falsely accused of blasphemy, serves as a shining example of his unwavering dedication to human rights and social justice.

Through his compassionate leadership, Salman Taseer Shaheed stood against the forces of discrimination and extremism, understanding that a just and inclusive society can only be achieved by upholding the rights of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs. He recognised that diversity is a strength that enriches our nation and that protecting the rights of religious minorities is not only a moral imperative but also a constitutional obligation.

As we remember Salman Taseer Shaheed on this solemn occasion, the PPP Human Rights Cell reaffirms its commitment to carry forward his legacy. We remain resolute in our pursuit of ensuring the protection and promotion of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of their backgrounds or faiths.

Pakistan is a country founded on the principles of democracy, equality, and social justice. It is incumbent upon us, as responsible citizens, to continue Salman Taseer Shaheed’s efforts in eradicating discrimination, hatred, and extremism from our society. The PPP Human Rights Cell calls on all stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, and citizens, to unite in creating a more inclusive and tolerant Pakistan.

We urge the government to take concrete steps to address the challenges faced by religious minorities and to vigorously prosecute all those who engage in acts of discrimination, violence, or extremism.

On this solemn occasion, the PPP Human Rights Cell pays tribute to Salman Taseer Shaheed for his indomitable spirit, unwavering commitment, and exceptional leadership. Let us remember his sacrifices and carry his vision forward as we strive for a society where every individual, regardless of their belief system, can live in peace, dignity, and harmony.

                                                                                                                               

Former President of Pakistan and President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Asif Ali Zardari and Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan and Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have strongly condemned the terror act in Iran, which took the lives of innocent civilians. 

President Zardari and Chairman Bilawal expressed sympathy with the people and government of Iran, and also extended their condolences over the martyrdom of citizens.

In this hour of sorrow, the people of Pakistan are with the Iranian brothers, President Zardari and Chairman Bilawal expressed. 

They prayed to Allah Almighty to for speedy recovery of the injured.

                                                                                                                               

Following is the full text of the letter:- 

“We have the honour to invite your kind attention towards the fact that there are some election symbols in the list of approved ECP election symbols which bear close resemblance with the Election symbol (Arrow) of our Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians. A list of such symbols is given hereunder:-

Pencil

Ball point pen

 Pen

Screwdriver.

Toothbrush.

This resemblance can confuse ordinary voters and there is a danger that our votes can be stamped on these symbols if these were allotted to other candidates.

We would also bring to your notice that in bye elections 2018 Mr. Jehangir Treen’s prayer in the High Court that the election symbol of PML(N) candidate (Batsman) who was contesting against him should be removed since Mr. Tareen’s symbol (Bat) had a resemblance with the symbol of his opponent, was upheld by the Honourable High Court.

Your honour will appreciate that the resemblance of the symbols mentioned by us with our election symbol (Arrow) is much closer to that which was upheld by the Honourable High Court in Mr. Tareen’s case.

Your honour may be pleased to notify that the five symbols mentioned above by us should be dropped from the list of approved election symbols.”   

                                                                                                                               

According to the press release issued by Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, in his message, said: As we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one, I extend my heartiest wishes to the resilient people of Pakistan. May this New Year bring prosperity, joy, and fulfillment to every household.”

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged that in the face of challenges, let us remain united, hopeful, and determined to build a better future for our nation. “The legacy of Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto inspires us to continue our unwavering commitment to their unfinished mission of creating a just and prosperous Pakistan,” he added.

Chairman PPP said that his party stands in solidarity with the oppressed people of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine, advocating for their rights and freedom. “Our commitment to justice extends beyond borders, and together, we will work towards a world where every individual can live with dignity and peace,” he concluded.

                                                                                                                               

President Zardari in his New Year message said that the killing of humanity in Gaza at the moment has marred the joy of the New Year. The people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are victims of atrocities of the Indian Army. Asif Ali Zardari said that we have to work for peace, development and prosperity by defeating all kinds of extremism and intolerance. 

Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan is facing the damages caused by climate change. Unemployment and inflation have made life difficult for the people. He said that the Pakistan Peoples Party is present in the people’s court in the elections to be held on February 8 next year. 

He said that Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s ten-point manifesto will be a milestone for the development of the country and prosperity of the people. Asif Ali Zardari prayed that the year 2024 would prove to be a year of peace, harmony and blessings for the world and especially for Pakistan. He said that peace is being restored in Pakistan with the hard work and sacrifice of the Pakistan Army, police officers and soldiers. He said that the development of the country and the prosperity of the people is the manifesto of Pakistan Peoples Party. The Pakistan Peoples Party will eliminate hunger, unemployment, inflation and economic miseries from the country after winning the elections.