• Party chief again takes swipe at Sharifs’ party in Sanghar campaign
• Says ‘lion’ hiding at home, relying on ‘others’ to defeat opponents

HYDERABAD/NAWABSHAH: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari took another dig at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Wednesday, suggesting that the “lion”, PML-N’s election symbol, was hiding at home while relying on “others” to defeat its opponents.

He asserted that the Feb 8 polls were, in fact, a contest between PML-N and PPP, expressing PPP’s commitment to launching a nationwide bhook mitao (hunger alleviation) programme at the UC level.

Speaking at a large public meeting in the Shahdadpur city of Sanghar district, he questioned the nature of a “lion” that he said avoided hunting and relied on others to keep the opposition at bay, likening it to a creature that sucks the blood of the masses.

He said the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) facilitated the PML-N in Sindh, expressing his desire for a clean sweep in Sanghar for the PPP to defeat political opponents.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari expressed his desire for a majority in parliament to serve the people without any hassle, hoping that his party would secure more seats after next month’s election than it did in the 2018 polls.

He noted that for the first time, PPP’s candidates had become mayors in Hyderabad and Karachi, marking a historic achievement.

He mentioned that the same would be repeated in the Feb 8 polls from Karachi to Kashmore, enabling the PPP to change the face of Sindh.

According to him, other parties exclusively represent the elite, while the PPP represents farmers, peasants, workers and students. Apparently referring to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, Mr Bhutto-Zardari encouraged people to question those attempting to thrust themselves on the public for the fourth time.

He reiterated his 10-point Awami Muashi Mauhida, which he said addressed all fundamental issues confronting the people.

Through this policy document, PPP aims to raise per capita income in the country and promises free electricity for up to 300 units through solar power. The party has also pledged to build three million houses across Pakistan, with women being granted proprietary rights to these houses.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari said that similar to the Kissan Card, the PPP would launch the Benazir Bhutto Card for haris to help them get subsidies on fertiliser, seeds, and during natural calamities. This card would also cover insurance for crops hit by calamities.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2024