PESHAWAR: Pakistan People’s Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has directed his party people to step up efforts for success of the PPP candidate in the by-elections on NA-4 to be held on Oct 26.

He gave the instructions at a meeting with the party’s provincial cabinet members and other senior leaders at the residence of provincial president Mohammad Humayun Khan here on Monday.

Mr Zardari arrived here on a two-day visit to have meetings with party activists and discuss with them various issues, including preparations for the forthcoming general elections, party reorganisation and internal differences.

He also discussed matters pertaining to performance of the provincial and federal governments and positions of different political parties, including religio-political groups.

A reliable source privy to the meeting told Dawn that Mr Zardari apprised himself of different issues and directed the provincial leadership to take prompt steps for removal of the internal differences in different districts to ensure success of the party candidates in the next general elections.

He urged the workers to ensure their presence in the election campaign for NA-4 to make sure success of the candidate, Asad Gulzar Khan, saying the previous PPP government had done a lot for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

During the meeting it was decided that the campaign would be run at the union council and ward level where corner meetings would be held and leaders of different teams (committees) would reach timely to participate.

Similarly, workers of all the wings, including women, would launch door to door visits in the constituency to muster support of maximum of the people as the by-election would have great impact on the future elections.

A PPP source said Mr Zardari would move for Nowshera tomorrow (Wednesday) to speak at a public meeting at Manki Sahib.

It is the fourth visit of Mr Zardari to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the current year.

The NA-4 seat had fallen vacant due to death of PTI MNA Gulzar Khan of Mashgagar on Aug 28. Asad Gulzar is the son of the deceased lawmaker who recently joined PPP during the previous visit of Zardari to Peshawar.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2017