PPP to contest polls sans handcuffs this time: Zardari

Says Bilawal, daughters and he will enter political arena; opponents will be shown how elections are contested; announces contacting all political parties; starts meeting party ticket-holders in Lahore from today

LAHORE: Co-Chairman Pakistan People’s Party and former President Asif Ali Zardari said on Sunday that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (his son), his daughters and he himself would enter the political arena this time and contest the upcoming general elections with full preparation. 

In a brief address to the party workers and the media at the residence of party leader Nadeem Afzal Chan in Lahore after attending a luncheon hosted in his honour, Zardari said the PPP would start electioneering for the next elections from Punjab. He said in the last general elections, they were handcuffed, but the situation is different now. Now, the PPP would contest the polls without handcuffs, and the opponents would be shown how elections are contested, he added.

Zardari said the PPP had never faced a defeat in Punjab except for in the “ROs (returning officers) elections”. However, it would show its power in the upcoming elections, he added. The former president said he would hold dialogue with all other political parties for elections reforms to ensure that the next polls are held in a free, fair and transparent manner.

When Shaheed Bibi (Benazir Bhutto) used to visit Lahore, the city would close down, Zardari said, adding that it would happen again in future. He thanked the party workers for their support and sacrifices and vowed that the PPP would find its lost glory in Punjab.

Zardari also visited the residence of former party senator, the late Kazim Khan, and condoled with his family. The PPP head is also expected to hold meetings with party ticket-holders from the Punjab this week, and the first session in this regard would take place on Monday (today).

Meanwhile, according to a release issued by the PPP media cell in Islamabad, the former president said border management with Afghanistan was critical for addressing the issues of militancy and terrorism and for restoring peace in the region.

Proper securing of borders with mutual consultation will put an end to allegations of cross-border incursions by militants, which have vitiated the relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, he added.

He was commenting on reports that fencing of border with Afghanistan in Bajaur and Mohmand agencies had started. Zardari hoped that the move to begin border fencing would be welcomed by all those who want an end to militancy and cross-border incursions.