LAHORE: PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has lauded the Punjab chapter of the party for showing better performance in the NA-133 by-polls, though he was “expecting much better results”.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Bilawal House in Bahria Town here on Monday evening to celebrate the party’s “rebirth” in Punjab capital, he said he expected Aslam Gill would bag at least 50,000 votes, but perhaps the lower turnout proved a hindrance.

Mr Zardari said electoral bouts in Punjab exposed weaknesses in the party’s strategy and helped it plan better for the next time.

He alleged that Nawaz Sharif got demarcation of constituencies on the basis of biradaris (castes) after the 1977 polls and pledged to reshape these constituencies as per the original blueprint after winning next elections.

He regretted that the PPP mandate was stolen through returning officers [in 2018].

He alleged that the PML-N was against the homeland, saying he who didn’t wish to die on the soil of the homeland could do nothing for the country (an apparent reference to Nawaz Sharif’s ‘self-exile’ in the UK).

Referring to the crises the country was facing, the former president said that he had an idea that could put the country on the path to prosperity and that it would be implemented when the party would come into power.

Punjab chapter president Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said the party

had made a dent in the stronghold of the PML-N through teamwork. Pledging to reorganise the party at ward level, he said they would immediately start preparations for the forthcoming local body polls.

General secretary Hassan Murtaza urged Mr Zardari never to look again towards Jati Umra, the residence of the Sharifs, and keep a distance from the PML-N.

Earlier, fireworks were displayed to mark the revival of the party in Lahore where over 2,500 guests were invited to a sumptuous dinner at the Bilawal House.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2021