GUJRAT: The PPP Punjab chapter has alleged that the party is not being allowed to run its election campaign in cantonment areas, while it claims that one specific party has been solely campaigning in those areas.

PPP Punjab President Qamar Zaman Kaira has urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to allow party candidates to launch their political activities in cantonment areas, saying the appointment of assistant returning officers from education and other civilian departments could not guarantee free and fair polling.

He expressed these views while speaking to a gathering at Chot Dheran village near Malakwal area of Mandi Bahauddin district at the residence of Qamar Abbas Bosal, a former candidate from NA-86 who announced withdrawal of his nomination in favour of Fakhar Umer Laleka, the PPP candidate from the constituency.

Mr Laleka recently joined the PPP and became its candidate from NA-86 against former PPP stalwart and now Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidate Nazar Muhammad Gondal.

Kaira said that earlier PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz had denied having assets in and outside the country, but as per her declaration of assets submitted to the election commission, she owned assets worth billions and her lies had once again been exposed.

Criticising Imran Khan, the PPP leader said the PTI chairman had eliminated the accountability system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during his party’s tenure in the province and allegedly distributed Rs300 million to the Taliban and their sympathisers.

He said that the PPP had provided financial assistance to at least seven million women across the country through Benazir Income Support Programme, facilitated farmers and growers through farmer-friendly policies and provided thousands of jobs to educated youth when the party was in power. But Nawaz Sharif had only constructed the metro bus and train by spending billions on subsidies, which was being borne by the masses.

Kaira said if the party was facing difficult times today it would make a comeback in future as it was truly a party of the masses.

“Benazir Bhutto faced courts along with her children, but never complained like some leaders these days who complained of not being given a good meal in captivity,” he added.

Later, Kaira attended a ceremony at the residence of PPP candidate from PP-68, Nasir Abbas Tarrar, where Benazir Bhutto’s birthday cake was cut and party leaders addressed participants.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2018