SAHIWAL: Divisional and district chapters of the PPP are struggling to make the public gathering of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari a success that will create an impact on the politics of Punjab.

Bilawal’s host Zaki Chaudhry claimed the masses would come to listen to Bilawal. Local PPP office-bearers, workers and supporters are facing major challenges, including hindrance from the district administration that the party claimed was removing publicity banners and hoardings across the city.

PPP Divisional Convener Khurram Jahangir Wattoo alleged that high-ups of Park and Horticulture Authority (PHA) had not only removed publicity material in the city, but were also demanding huge rent for organising the political gathering. He claimed that district chapters of PPP had paid rent for massive hoardings under PHA’s code of conduct.

“Why was PPP’s publicity material removed while those of other political parties are still intact in the city?” Chaudhry raised a question for Muhammad Khan Khichi, the PHA director general.

Witnesses said there was some scuffle between party supporters and PHA staff over removal of publicity material. Later, a meeting was held between PHA high-ups and the party’s district leadership to settle the issue.

The second challenge the party is supposedly facing is the NA-120 result where PPP candidate Faisal Mir bagged just 1,414 votes. Ghulam Farid Kathiya, PPP central executive member, denied the uneasiness and said NA-120 result will not impact the Sahiwal public gathering.

“Both rural and urban masses will come out to listen to Benazir Bhutto’s son who is arriving in the city after 23 years. Bhuttos have their own crowd,” he added.

The Lahore result will hardly affect the PPP’s public campaign in Punjab, claimed former parliamentarian Begum Shahnaz Javed.

Civil society members told this correspondent that Bilawal would attract a massive audience here. Chaudhry claimed PPP workers from surrounding districts of Pakpattan, Okara, Toba Tek Singh, Khanewal and Faisalabad will be coming for the public gathering led by party leaders Yousaf Raza Gilani (Multan), Manzoor Wattoo (Okara), Humayun Bodla (Jaranwala) Nawab Sher Vaseer and Neelam Jabbar (Toba), Shahadat Khan Baloch (Tandliyanwala), Begum Shahnaz Javed (Chichawatni), Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed (Kasur) and Taimur Gill (Pakpattan).

Shekih Abdur Rauf from Farid Town led a 200-men motorcycle rally on Tuesday evening. The rally moved through various bazaars as part of the campaign for today’s public gathering. The rally participants distributed pamphlets and invitation cards among people.

PPP Punjab President Qamar Zaman Kaira and Vice President Manzoor Wattoo hosted a media briefing at the venue of the gathering. Later, they chaired a workers’ meeting about final arrangements.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2017