KARACHI: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has asked the party’s leaders in Punjab to establish direct contact with people and prepare effectively for the coming local government elections because the party has decided to field its candidate in every constituency.

The PPP chief issued the instructions while presiding over a meeting of leaders from Punjab at Bilawal House here on Thursday amid reports that after the defection of its two prominent leaders – Samsam Bokhari and Ashraf Sohna – to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, more disgruntled leaders are considering to join other parties.

The meeting discussed political and organisational matters of the PPP Punjab as well as the overall political situation in country.

It was attended by former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, PPP Punjab President Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, former governor and party’s South Punjab President Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Senator Sherry Rehman, Firdous Ashiq Awan, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Tanveer Ashraf Kaira, Shaukat Basra and Jameel Soomro.

The meeting decided to make electoral alliance in every district for the local government elections in consultation with the party’s district leadership. It also decided to contact the disgruntled leaders. All matters would be supervised by Mr Bilawal Bhutto.

The party decided to launch a membership campaign in Punjab after Eid and changes in the party leadership of the province would be made in consultation with the Central Executive Committee. The changes in office-bearers will be made in phases – from wards to the provincial level. For local bodies’ elections, a workers’ convention will be convened and a ‘contact people campaign’ will be launched next month.

The Punjab leaders said the PML-N government did not fulfil the promises it had made before the general election and people were disappointed. They said that it was the right time that the PPP leadership gave some hope to the people of Punjab as they were looking towards Mr Bilawal Bhutto with great expectations.

The PPP chairman said such consultative meetings should be held at every level to strengthen the party.

According to sources privy to the meeting, the party reviewed the situation arising out of the defection of some of its leaders and the chairman asked the PPP Punjab chief to submit a detailed report on the matter at the next meeting.

The sources said the PPP chief would pay a detailed visit to Punjab this month.

Mr Bilawal Bhutto offered condolences to Firdous Ashiq Awan on the death of her brother.

Meanwhile, Senior Minister of Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Yaseen also called on PPP chairman and discussed with him issues relating to the party in AJK.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2015

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