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PPP won’t allow ‘outsiders’ to run Karachi: Bilawal
KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari claimed on Sunday that the PPP-led Sindh government had restored peace in Karachi after eliminating terrorists, but now everyone was trying to hijack the mandate of the city.
He termed the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder two sides of the same coin and said people this time would not accept another Altaf Hussain in the form of Imran Khan.
Mr Bhutto-Zardari was addressing a public meeting organised by the PPP at FC Area Ground in the MQM stronghold of Liaquatabad after 44 years. A huge banner inscribed with the slogan “Peaceful Karachi for all people” was displayed at the stage.
Says people won’t accept another Altaf Hussain in the form of Imran Khan
The PPP chairman said that earlier Karachi was controlled from London and now efforts were being made to run it from Banigala, a reference to the PTI chief’s residence. He said the PPP neither believed in politics of victimisation nor was it a party of ‘target killers’, adding that Karachi was no more being run through sectors or units. He said the PPP government was making efforts to restore Karachi’s past image as the ‘city of lights’.
Mr Bhutto-Zardari promised that if the people of Karachi voted for his party, he would rid them of the MQM for good. After the 2018 elections, neither the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) nor the PTI, but the PPP would form the government with the support of people, he claimed.
He said it was the same Liaquatabad area where earlier bullets were fired and people killed, and today all those martyrs’ faces were before him who laid down their lives for the sake of democracy.
He said some forces did not like relationship between Karachi and Bhuttos, adding that Taliban and their ‘brothers’ did not like peace in Karachi. Criticising both Altaf and Imran, he said the former used to call strikes and the latter sit-ins.
Mr Bhutto-Zardari alleged that the PTI government had during its five-year term failed to establish any new university or hospital in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Where is your (Imran) new Pakistan?” he asked.
He said Nawaz Sharif had also made tall promises with Karachiites, but failed to complete one Green Line bus project. The PML-N supreme leader had made promises in Karachi, but implemented projects elsewhere, he added.
He said those claiming to turn Karachi into New York ought to first clean ‘Gawalmandi gutter’. “Mian Sahib, if you talk about giving respect to the vote, you first give respect to the vote yourself. Had you given respect to the vote of Karachi, workers, women and the Constitution, you would have commanded respect.”
The PPP chief said Karachi once used to be a city of peace, lights, thinkers and intellectuals, but its people were ordered to sell their TV sets and purchase weapons, and terrorism became an identity of Karachi.
“In every election, we used to come to you [Karachiites], but you always preferred others; they occupied, while we served; they sow fear while we brought happiness; they took lives while we offered our lives.
“Once again I have come to you. I am son of Karachi, your agony is my agony and your happiness is my happiness. My victory will be your victory. Join the hands of PPP to do politics of federation,” he appealed.
He said the youth should come forward and play their role in the progress of Karachi and the country. “If Karachi makes progress, the country will make progress. For this progress, I need your support. I need your vote; if you side with me I will change the fate of this city; not only lights will return, I will ensure free education, quality treatment and water supply to the city,” he promised.
PPP leaders Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Senator Raza Rabbani, Senator Sherry Rehman, Shehla Raza, Prof N.D. Khan, Saeed Ghani, Waqar Mehdi and Javed Nagori also addressed the public gathering.
Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2018
Comments (72) Closed
Bilawal is speaking like bengali Mujibur Rahman. May be coached by some foreign agencies..its time ppp do self retrospect and get a new leader
PPP has been ruining Karachi. Let outsiders come and restore its beauty.
Bilawal "daddy made me chairman" Zardari was not born and raised in Karachi, so what is he babbling about?
What has the PPP done for Karachi ?
You are from outside !
No, you got it all wrong. A Pakistani within Pakistan is not an outsider, you better not forget this fact. You've spent most of your life outside of Pakistan and ppl still consider you a Pakistani for that reason. It took a very hard work of all Pakistanis to restore peace in Karachi so don't try to steal the credit. So don't try to be cute here, we know how your family has robbed our beloved country. We won't forget that!
Very immature statement by Bilawal. It has regional connotations.
If Bilawal (PPP) expect to win the next election and rule the entire country, why can't IK ( PTI) rule the entire country including Karachi.
The use of term "outsiders" was myopic and uncalled for.
Now we have good roads, excellent eduction, best hospitals and peace excllent and city is neat and clean waoo no one can recongize karachi Thanks PPP
It is beyond me that Bilaeal has the nerve to fool the very people who have endured so much sufferings & pain at the hands of PPP lead government in Sindh. I wonder why some people even want to go to listen all the non sense from corrupt politicians. Next elections people should vote for only those leaders who have some track record of good public service.
This is 21st century. Ethnic politics will not work now. We need to have several small provinces based on administrative grounds so you politicians face close scrutiny and are held accountable.
You are an outsider yourself Mr. Bilawal
Why all political parties think that provinces of Pakistan are their ancestral propertry . Kingship on the name of democracy is prevailing in Pakistan. Now the third generation of these politicians is ready to rule on poor Pakistanis.
Is he real ?
Stop with all these divisions! Vote on the basis of competency, not where the person belongs. Childish politics.
And Bilawal who raised and educated in UK considers himself from 'insiders'.
Like you live here.
Shame on you Bilawal ... You are another one among dirty and misleading politicians. How you are comparing Imran Khan with Altaf hussain ???? Imran khan is the one who is continuously talking about PAKISTAN and its public welfare.
It is death True that your Party ( PPP ) and PML(N) both dig Pakistan into horrible debits limit from ( 6K Billions to 28K Billions .
He needs a lot of things vote,support don't try to fool the country it's too late Pakistan has wisend up no cheap speech will lure any votes .
Like Senate Chairman election where Imran compromised with Zardari, he also compromised with speech timings with Bilawal to shre TV prime time. His entry to the Minar e Pakistan coincided when Balawal was ending his speech. Whatever he says a compromise was made for prime time sharing. Imran has to share the 2018 government with Zardari if Nawaz fails to get sympathy votes in Punjab, to keep PML-N out of governments. Hope media make a point blank question all the time to Imran if he will do compromise again on 2018 government formation like Senate Chairman election. Pick Baluchi Bhai a PM, and PPP have it's President and Speaker from PTI.
In fact Karachiites won't accept another Zardari in the form of Bilawal. Every Pakistani has the right to move freely within the territory of Pakistan
Why you call names of Altaf Hussain, when the powerful has stopped him to respond! Give 2 days to AH and see how big Jalsa can be held. People of Karachi cannot partake in a fabricated political environment. The real and genuine party of Karachi and other Urban Sindh is MQM and no matter someone likes or not Altaf Hussain is the leader of the party and masses. Why not the concerned authorities talk to Altaf Hussain and let him work in the party. What authorities are waiting for?
Best of luck to you the grandson of the great visionary ZA Bhutto and the son of martyr Benazir Bhutto
Bilawal is a joke. Should refer to history lessons before making a judgement about Karachi and Sindh.
I do not agree with Bilawal Zardari. In reality PPP is an outsider in Karachi. The real stakeholders of Karachi are not allowed to carry any political activities in Urban Sindh. People in Urban Sindh are losing interest in politics and current affairs. They are feeling hopeless and there is a great sense of deprivation. This is not in our national interest. We have such a beautiful country. Why can't we respect genuine mandates and treat everyone equally. Why can't we work together as a nation with a common goal "Sab Se Pehle Pakistan".
Locals should get preference in Karachi.
Karachi is not a "property" of Asif Zardari that Biawal will not allow anyone to rule it. Unfortunately they call themselves democrat but they don't know the meaning of democracy.
If fellow Pakistanis are outsiders, then what makes you an insider.
PPP biggest outsiders in Karachi, seeing how they threw Karachi to the wolves in 2008-2013.
An administratively independent Karachi, much like South Punjab, makes all that much more sense to rid it of the sheer ineptness that is PPP governance.
Shame on you PPP! You and MQM have done planned destruction on Sindh and Karachi. InshaAllah your time is over and one day you won’t find place to hide like saddam Hussain in Iraq.
@ Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A Martyred? Bhutto family is nothing just murderer ed by their own blood to seek the power and money by hooks and crooks. They all are murderers such people die suddenly. Martyr is only one who give life for righteousness or will to do so.
Take back this dynamic city . This city of Karachi belongs to PPP.
It will surpass Dubai
@ Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A , you setting in USA and says best of luck to a looter who destroyed this country, grow up man
"...PPP-led Sindh government had restored peace in Karachi ".. everyone knows Rangers and military under leadership of Gen Raheel Sharif restored peace not only in Karachi but also rest of the province. PPP or PML-N can't take credit.
And the Karachiite should also not allowed PPP nor MQM to take control over them as both have miserably failed. PPP for the last almost Forty five years and MQM for almost Thirty years have plundered and played with the city of Karachi and the people of Sindh. If Karchiites again voted for any of the two then for the next four year they will be doomed.
You think people of Pakistan will accept another zardari in your outfit. Come on what your govt has done for the province of SIndh and Karachi. Think before you speak man !!!!
What gumption! Was a single tangible step announced for Karachi by this so called son of Karachi. By throttling the local government, his party has suffocated this city of any potential for development. The most pathetic thing was that none of the ‘leaders’ who spoke had any grass roots support in the city being claimed as their own.
It is not IK but you are the outsider! It is not you but rangers brought peace to karachi at the cost of their blood and lives. Can you explain who had been patronizing the terrorists of Lyari Gang War and who had been controlling the terrorists of people aman committee, which party was supporting the terrorists who were shedding the blood of innocent traders and shop keepers in Shershah colony... just remember that your ex provincial interior minister, Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza's statement in which he owned the terrorists of so called people aman committee... Had supreme court not pointed out your party's militant wing which was shedding the blood of karachities...Since when you became sympathizer of the people of karachi....
Karachi is not Bilawal's personal property. It is a city of Pakistan for Pakistanis. This is a classic example of how politicians devide the nation. Chief Justice should take notice of this highly anti-national statement.
Bilawal is the future of Karachi
I feel that this election will be the one of the worst election for PPP but unfortunately due to slaved mind PPP will be forming government again in Sindh.
Your daddy and Aunty have looted and plundered our beloved city enough , we don’t want any more of you people and daddy can’t buy votes here.
Neither you nor your daddy are from karachi. Infact, Altaf Hussain and it's supporters are from Karachi.
PPP needs a real leader or party will collapse
Outsiders??? You are an outsider. Karachi maybe in Sindh but it is a whole different polity which runs the entire country. Neither Altaf nor you have any hegemony on this great city.
Typical Wadera style, blackmailing statement. It’s time for both daddy and son to run, run as fast as they can as cases are soon going to open.
Shame on you Bilawal.
Bilawal is an intellectual lightweight , just like his father. How is Imran an outsider? The Bhutto/Zardari/Nawaz families are ineffectual dead weights on the country. Corruption is out of control. The country badly needs honest and capable leaders and Imran seems to be the only hope.
PPP shows no decency or loyalty to anyone
If our establishment is serious in prosperity of Pakistan then they should make Karachi as independent unit financially so the city could be developed like cities are developed. As long as the rulers from Interior Sindh hold the reins Karachi would never develop and so would Pakistan.
How many days you in stayed in Karachi in all your life ?
Well lot of debate on word Outsider - but do you recall what insiders have done to this city - Bhatta, Kidnapping, muder, strikes, killings and other notorious crimes committed in shadow of insiders units incharges !! -
Its time to think and think hard ! yes the outsider means somebody living in London i guess !
Ya sure, we'll vote you so you can further ruin the ciity like did with interior sindh.
Peoples of Karachi will not allow PPP either.
Of course not! You are doing a brilliant job ruining it, all by yourself!
People of Karachi expected Bilawal to be enlightened and aware of reality of Karachi, but t turned out Bilawal follows the footsteps of his ancestors and eventually the primitive PPP mindset prevails. No chance of PPP winning from Karachi whatsoever.
If u dont want want somebody else to come then at least PERFORM
Who's a more "outsider" Bilawal who spends most of his time in Dubai and London OR Imran who permanently lives in Pakistan? Bilawal is scared because PPP has done nothing to improve the lives of people of Karachi or Sindh so this is the only thing he has to saw. Shame on you Bilawal!
Good speech ... Love your approach BBZ
Bilawal, himself is an outsider.no leadership qualities at all in this person. If PPP wants to survive, better look for a solid leader to head the party.
PPP didn't give a single Urdu Speaking Chief Minister to Sindh and expect Karachi to support them?
Neither PPP nor MQM are honest. Karachi was always better off without them.
"PPP won’t allow ‘outsiders’ to run Karachi" Anyone trying to "run" Karachi, will automatically be considered an outsider, because insider will only "ruin" Karachi by depleting it's resources.
who is bilawal?
Lot of negative comments looks like AH supporters couldn't digest the event - relax and enjoy politics.
@ Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A
Mr. Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A,
Every dead person of PPP is shaheed.
Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto broke Pakistan and Ms.
Benazir Zardari was corrupt.
By outsiders, does he mean people from Dubai?
Karachi will only be run by Karachities majority of whom are Urdu speaking Sindhis called Muhajirs.
Outsider?? He is the outsider.Lot more outsider than Imran. Yes, Karachietes will not except someone who was raised in foreign. Who has home and property in the foreign lands. Enough is enough.. And who will run away as soon as elections are over. Give Imran a chance now.. Enough of PPP, PMLN and MQM
Karachi belongs to Karachities comprising mostly Urdu speaking Sindhi.
What does Bilawal mean by outsiders? He himself is an outsider. MQM was elected from Karachi but the power was not given to them. Since 2008, Zardari and PPP provincial leaders had made up their mind that they will go for a coalition government in SIndh but never give enough powers to MQM so they can deliver for Karachiites, instead PPP is an outsider as their actions in SIndh show that the entire party was not in a mood to deliver for the constituents who elected them.
Unfortunately the people of interior will still give them votes - not because they like them - but because they don’t have a choice. The roads / education centers were not built only so no one can access them nor they can access the world. And here is this guy who lives 300 days a year In UK - what exactly do they do over there? How can u ascertain a common man s problem?
@Kadir khan-DFW
Mr. Kadir khan-DFW,
Mr. Bilawal Zardari speaks according to script.
Don't you know that he is script-reader and
chairman of PPP the most corrupt regional
political of rural areas of Sindh.