LAHORE: The PPP is observing its Foundation Day functions on Monday at district level.

Last year former president and the party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had presided over the Foundation Day function in Lahore. Mr Zardari is in Dubai and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto in Karachi. However, there has been no major event presided over by Mr Bilawal either in Karachi or Lahore.

The PPP Lahore chapter is holding the Foundation Day event near Bhatta Chowk on Monday (today). PPP Punjab president Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo will be the chief guest and Lahore president Samina Ghurki will preside over the ceremony.

“Owing to local body polls in different parts of the country the party leadership has decided to observe the Foundation Day events at district level,” a PPP leader told Dawn on Sunday. He said the day was being observed in all districts of the country on the direction of Bilawal Bhutto.

On the other hand, some leaders had requested Mr Bilawal to preside over a function either in Lahore or Karachi in connection with the 48th Foundation Day but he did not entertain it.

Mr Bilawal has also been asked to visit Lahore and Punjab on a regular basis as the party may not make a comeback here without his special interest in the party affairs.

He has also been requested to make the PPP an effective opposition party.

“The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has taken the opposition role in the absence of the PPP. The party’s reconciliation policy towards the ruling PML-N has cost it dearly. Mr Bilawal should not only enhance contact with the workers but also make the party a vibrant opposition in the National Assembly,” the PPP leader said.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2015