Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Monday expressed hope that the country’s next prime minister will not be from “Lahore” — the stronghold of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Speaking to media in Karachi, the former foreign minister said that his party will contest the polls “on its own” and on the basis of its elections manifesto.
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“We won’t look towards anyone [else] and [will rely] on public’s [support] for [success in elections],” Bilawal said adding: “[Although] anyone can be a candidate for the prime minister, the final decision is that of the people.”
Bilawal also termed PPP’s success in Sunday’s local government by-polls as merely a “trailer” and said: “The people proved [by voting] that they are with the PPP”.
The PPP leader’s remarks come as the party, on Sunday, won big in the LB by-polls held across 14 districts of Sindh with Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab winning the union committee (UC) chairman seat from Karachi’s Saddar Town area.
Meanwhile, Karachi’s deputy Mayor Salman Murad of the PPP along with Saifullah Noor also won the chairman’s seat from Malir district and Maurpur town, respectively.
“Even if our [political] opponents unite [against us] they won’t be able to defeat the PPP,” Bilawal said.
“The PPP won yesterday despite not being in government,” he added.
The party chairman also claimed that his party will mirror LB by-polls success in upcoming general elections.
“It is necessary that PPP forms the government [in order to] introduce people-friendly projects.”
“February 8 will be the day of victory for the manifesto of [Zulfikar Ali] Bhutto Shaheed and Benazir Bhutto,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention that last week, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), in pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court) announced that general elections will be held on February 8, 2024 — ending months of ambiguity surrounding the polls.
The top electoral body announced the poll date after consulting with President Arif Alvi on the court’s directions.
The apex court’s three-member bench headed by CJP Isa — while hearing multiple pleas seeking timely elections within 90 days — also ordered the caretaker government to “ensure the conduct of general elections on February 8”.
