KARACHI: As the battle lines were drawn between the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz for the February 8 general elections, the former accused the latter of using illegal means to return to power for the fourth time.
In an interview with foreign media, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who is also PPP-P’s candidate for the prime minister slot, alleged that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif wanted to pressurise “administration” to influence the election results.
During the interview, the PPP chairman said that the caretaker government and the administration were also “biased” in favour of Nawaz. Responding to a question, Bilawal said: “PPP’s alliance with PML-N is difficult.” “This PML-N is no longer the party who had signed the charter of democracy. It is not the party whose slogan was ‘respect the vote’ but a PML-N [with a mentality] of Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI). [Nawaz] dreams of becoming Amirul Momineen.”The PPP stalwart, however, hoped that the caretaker government, despite PML-N’s pressure, would not interfere in the upcoming polls. He also expressed hope that the PPPP would form the next government after winning elections. He further said that the upcoming elections should be free, fair, and transparent, adding that a level playing field should be given to all the political parties in the run-up to elections to restore the credibility of elections in the country.
Addressing party rallies that crisscrossed Karachi on Monday, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari promised Karachiites that their city would be completely revamped if they extended support to him for electing his party’s candidates on 20 seats in the February 8 general elections.
He was leading a well-attended election campaign rally that started from Bilawal House in Clifton and addressed the party’s supporters at many spots, during the hours-long journey, passing through Shireen Jinnah Colony, Tara Chand Road, Keamari, Machhi Miani, Kharadar and reached Chakiwara Lyari, from where it went to Malir and finally culminated at Dawood Chowrangi. The rally which started at midday continued for several hours past midnight. Accompanied by Karachi-based leaders and PPP candidates, the PPP Chairman was given a rousing welcome at different parts of the city. The people in large numbers waved party flags and danced to the famous party songs.
From atop the special container vehicle, Bilawal reiterated the PPP’s resolve to keep making efforts for the development of the city. While recalling that he and his mother, the late Benazir Bhutto, both were born in the city, the PPP chairman said that his party would strive to secure the due rights of Karachiites. He said that he had campaigned in every area of the four provinces, but Karachi is different in this regard. “Karachi is my city. Not only was I born here, but Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was also born in Karachi. When I say that I want to serve Karachi and play my role in the development of Karachi, then that means I want to take care of my own home,” he added.
Bilawal said that he would transform the city’s landscape through public service and development if the people gave him a chance in the elections, He urged the Karachiites to reject the elements selling the toxic cocktail of hatred and division and who forget Karachi every time they become part of the federal government by bargaining on the rights of the city.
Thanking Karachiites for their support in the recent local government elections, the PPP Chairman said the people of Karachi should trust him and make the PPP candidates successful once again on February 8. “This will be the first time in history, that not only will the local government system be in my hands, Insha Allah the provincial government will also be in my hands, and if you are with me, the federal government will also be in my hands,” he told the charged PPP’s supporters. He said that if the people vote for the PPP candidates contesting 20 seats in Karachi, then he will transform the city through dedicated public service and development in the next five years. “Other parties are contesting elections for their interests, I am contesting elections for the rights of the people,” he pointed out.
Bilawal said that the people should compare the PPP with other parties. “They are doing politics of hatred and division, selling some Churan (mixture),” he said, adding that someone has been trying to divide Karachi based on religion, some others based on language and some based on communalism. “On February 8, you (people) should stamp the arrow (symbol on the ballot paper) and tell these forces that Karachi belongs to all of us. We will not allow anyone to divide people based on hatred. This city has made many sacrifices because of the politics of violence,” he added.
Declaring that the real contest is between only two parties, the PPP chairman said “One is the party with the Tiger symbol and the other is your city’s party with the Teer (arrow symbol).” He urged the people not to support independent candidates, as that would amount to wasting their votes. “Karachi Walo (People of Karachi)! Give me a chance this time, you give your brother a chance. I will not disappoint you. I want to undertake (development) work in Karachi’s every nook and corner. If you want to solve the problems of the metropolis, then you have to once support the PPP,” he urged. He said that Karachi’s electoral mandate had been stolen in the past, but now people will not allow anyone to steal their mandate.
