PPP nominates Bilawal for premiership

LAHORE: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Executive Committee (CEC) Wednesday recommended the name of party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as its candidate for the slot of prime minister after completion of the elections process and formation of new government.

The PPP CEC, which met at Bilawal House, Lahore, discussed in detail the party’s campaign for the February 2024 general election. Bilawal is also contesting from NA-127 Lahore, where he would compete with Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) leader Shaista Pervaiz Malik and a PTI-backed candidate. The meeting also discussed the party election manifesto, which decided to give priority to youth and women empowerment, employment, health and education.

The CEC also expressed complete confidence in the leadership of Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. PPP leaders including Secretary General Taj Haider, Syed Khursheed Shah, Rana Farooq Saeed Khan, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Samina Khalid Ghurki, Murad Ali Shah, Chaudhry Aslam Gill and Ali Badr were present at the meeting. Later, talking to the media, Bilawal said he had decided to contest election from Lahore, whether anybody liked it or not. Flanked by PPP Secretary General Taj Haider and former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Bilawal said, “Gen Zia imposed the PMLN on us and Gen Faiz Hameed imposed the PTI.” He said both the PMLN and PTI were representative of the ruling elite. Both were unable to address the issues confronted by the country. He said the PPP was the only party that always came up with its vision and manifesto before polls and kept people on priority.

He said the PPP intended to set up energy parks in every district headquarters and provide free electricity up to 300 units. He also promised free and quality education to people after forming the government. He said wages of employees would be increased by 200 per cent and the BISP network would be expanded. Moreover, Labourer cards would be issued to labourers and for growers, the PPP government would provide Kissan Cards. Bilawal thanked the PPP CEC for nominating him as the candidate for the slot of prime minister. He condemned the incidents of terrorism in the country, saying that to steer the country out of crises, crucial decisions would have to be taken.