PTI leadership in jail because of their deeds, says Sharjeel

HYDERABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and former Sindh information minister Sharjeel Inam Memon submitted his nomination papers to contest PS-61 in the coming general elections.

Talking to the media after submitting the papers, he said the general elections were going to be held on February 8. Terming the PPP the largest party of Pakistan, he said the party and its chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had demanded timely elections on every forum.

Whichever party got the mandate on February 8, it should work hard to solve the problems of the people, he said.

He was of the view that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership was in jail because of their own sinister deeds. He alleged that PTI leaders had been conspiring against the country and its institutions.

Memon, however, added that people were not interested in who was going to jail and who was being released as they were only interested in who could solve their problems.

He quoted Bilawal as saying that if he came to power, he would double the salaries of government employees and build millions of houses.

Stressing for the need of unity, the PPP leader said if someone was with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or the PTI, it did not mean they were enemies of the PPP.

He went on to say that a party was talking about the language issue today, but we should not let the political atmosphere deteriorate during the elections. Pakistan needed the ideology of Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal, he added.

He said it would be decided on February 8 whether people liked the politics of hatred or that of solving problems. He claimed that a majority of the people would vote for the PPP.

The former information minister said his party had the credit of many historic things in Pakistan such as ensuring provincial autonomy, and initiating the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Thar Coal projects.

He maintained that some 14,000 houses were being built in his constituency. The PPP built houses for those who were rendered homeless in the rains and today they had their own land and houses, he said, adding that the people of Pakistan would consciously choose the PPP for the survival of the country.

In response to a question, Memon remarked there was no competition for the PPP in Sindh at the moment and party was poised to win the elections in the province with 95 per cent seats.

He claimed the PPP would also have a majority in the southern Punjab, and its performance in the central Punjab and Balochistan would also improve.

He said Ahad Cheema was removed from the caretaker setup because he was affiliated with a party. He also alleged that some parties wanted to have the elections delayed.