PPP losing ground in Punjab

KARACHI: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is losing its strength in Punjab, while differences with its Punjab President Manzoor Wattoo and non-interest of central leadership of the party, many disgruntled workers and many important leaders have parted ways and joined the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as a number of other leaders of the party have become inoperative.
This was pointed out by Shahzeb Khanzada, while presenting his analysis in Geo News programme, ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’ on Wednesday. In such a situation Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will have to step forward, organise and bring to life the party, which has been representing all the provinces.
Khanzada analysed that defeat in the general elections in Punjab, malfunction in the Cantonment Board elections, and crisis in the party in Punjab necessitated the re-organisation. Bilawal Bhutto should focus on the issues of the party, console the disheartened Jiyalas. He should take practical steps, keeping aside the talks and meetings. Khanzada suggested Bilawal Bhutto not to abstain from changing even the office holder of the party in Punjab.
Shahzeb Khanzada further said in his analysis that the Judicial Commission might announce its decision next week. The PTI had all the time been charging different personalities of rigging in the general elections. Imran Khan, during his Dharnas, had blamed Najm Sethi of 35 punctures, but today he stepped back and declared it was a political statement.
Khanzada pointed out that the PTI was also pursuing case of rigging in the 2013 election and it termed the present assemblies fake but at the same time, the NA Secretariat paid salaries to all the members of the assemblies who remained absent all through the dharna. The salary of each member amounted to Rs0.85 million.
Speaking in the programme, Jahangir Tareen, PTI Secretary General said: “We have completed our arguments in the Judicial Commission. The Judicial Commission decision will be based on the proofs and not on the basis of the speeches of Imran Khan. The PTI has proved that the ECP failed in performing its constitutional role.” He said there would also be a positive reply to the question of organised rigging. He said the Punjab government was under the control of the caretaker chief minister. Tareen said Najm Sethi had himself stated that the powers had shifted from him to Model Town, which showed there was a parallel system run by the PML-N at that time and it managed to get everything done in Punjab Election Commission.