LAHORE: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will continue relying on its 1970s catchy slogan of roti, kapra aur makan (bread, clothes and housing) to woo voters in the next general election.

A decision to the effect was taken at a meeting of the party’s manifesto committee held at Bilawal House here on Friday, with former president Asif Ali Zardari in the chair.

Others who attended the meeting and gave their input included ex-Senate chairman Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Senators Saleem Mandviwala, Sherry Rehman, Manzoor Wattoo, Lateef Akbar, Amjad Hussain, Dr Nafeesa Shah, Sabir Baloch, Akhunzada Chatan, Nisar Khurro and Naveed Qamar.

Mr Zardari was quoted as telling the participants that roti, kapra aur makan being basic needs of humans, the committee should take into account the fact that the PPP has always preferred to create job opportunities for the people. He recalled that after coming into power Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had provided jobs to tens of thousands of youngsters and reinstated the employees dismissed by Gen Zia regime or Nawaz Sharif’s government in early 1990s.

He also urged the committee to make education, health and peace preferences in the party’s agenda.

Mr Zardari also recalled that PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had opened doors to employment opportunities abroad by entitling each citizen to get passport.

Meanwhile, Punjab PPP general secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan has refused to review his decision of resigning from the party office. Mr Chan tendered his resignation a day ago when his brother Waseem Afzal joined the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. The political rumour mill has been in overdrive since the defection and many predict that the whole Chan family is going to join the PTI ranks.

Mr Zardari invited Mr Chan for a meeting here on Friday and urged him to withdraw his resignation decision but the latter didn’t oblige.

Central senior vice-chairman Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo and information secretary Chaudhry Manzoor however say Nadeem Chan tendered his resignation on moral grounds after failing to convince his brother not to abandon the PPP.

They both claim that Nadeem Chan would continue working within the party folds as he had no difference with the party or its leadership.

The so far inactive party leader Malik Hakmeen Khan also called on Mr Zardari here and presented the latter his book. Both the leaders also discussed forthcoming national political scenario.

PPP women wing vice-president Nasira Meo has, meanwhile, claimed that Mr Zardari has given her a green signal for continuing her election campaign for National Assemble constituency NA-138, Kasur, as she will be a confirmed candidate of the party for the seat.

She says the assurance was given during a meeting of the party’s ticket-holders from Lahore division for the 2013 general election.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2017