ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: PPP to contest every constituency in Punjab: In a strategic move aimed at fielding a comprehensive slate of candidates, the leadership of the PPP Punjab held a meeting on Wednesday and finalized plans to nominate candidates for every provincial and national constituency within the province.
Furthermore, the party has decided to welcome aspiring candidates and has invited applications to strengthen its electoral lineup.
The decision was reached during a meeting led by Asif Ali Zardari and Faryal Talpur, who engaged with the PPP’s Punjab leadership to discuss electoral concerns.
Key figures such as Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Hassan Murtaza, Rana Farooq, and Chaudhry Aslam Gul were present at the meeting, which took place in Islamabad. Additionally, divisional presidents from PPP Central Punjab participated in the discussions.
Meanwhile, senior PPP leader Shazia Marri, addressing the media in Lahore, expressed that despite having reservations, the PPP had accepted the outcome of the 2013 elections for the greater national interest.
Marri took a jibe at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and emphasized the significance of attaining power through constitutional means. She questioned the absence of election discourse during Nawaz Sharif’s Minar-e-Pakistan rally, urging others not to fear elections.
Marri asserted that the people of Lahore deserved the freedom to elect their leaders and advised political opponents to engage with the public and champion their causes without undermining the sacrifices made by the PPP. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing the welfare of the people.
She criticized the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), stating that the party was still grappling with the aftermath of electoral defeats at the hands of the PPP in Sindh.
Defending PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Marri praised his youthful leadership and contrasted it with the self-serving agendas that cloud the judgment of others. She expressed confidence in Bilawal’s commitment to serving the masses and creating a promising future for the nation’s children.
Marri appealed to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), urging them to announce the election schedule in accordance with the designated date of February 8. She cautioned that failing to hold the elections on time would have adverse implications for Pakistan.
She emphasized the PPP’s stance against inflation and unemployment, positioning the party as an advocate for the marginalized. Marri highlighted that their fight was not against individuals but rather against the issues of inflation and unemployment.
