CHAKWAL: Former president and PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari has vowed to address the issues being faced by the residents of Talagang.

Speaking at a public gathering at the grounds of Government High School Talagang on Sunday, he asserted that his party would take constructive steps to bring prosperity to the area.

“By the grace of Allah, I have met you. Now, your needs such as the water issue, road network, transportation, and district development will be in my knowledge, as I am aware that the people of Talagang are looking towards me,” he told the charged crowd.

He maintained that his party already understands the voice of the hearts of the poor, and due to this realisation, Benazir Income Support Cards were issued for the underprivileged.

Stresses constructive steps for prosperity, community needs like water, roads and development

“I know very well the plight of the poor. Poverty has increased twofold compared to my time in power,” the former president said adding that his government had increased salaries and wages by one hundred per cent.

“But even if salaries are increased fourfold now, they still could not tackle the rising inflation,” he said.

Lashing out at his political rivals, Mr Zardari termed their way of running the government as wrong.

“They do not give importance to your crops, nor do they offer proper prices, as they do not know that if the prices of crops are increased, the yield would be increased, and the farmer would become prosperous,” Mr Zardari maintained.

He added that prosperity meant that people living across the region became prosperous.

“Prosperity does not mean going to Dubai and earning there; rather, it means that people should earn in their own country. We would create opportunities for you to make your living in your own country,” he added.

PPP’s district president, Raja Rizwan Dandot, and the party’s candidates, Malik Hassan Sardar for NA-59, Sardar Zulifqar Ali Khan Dullah for NA-58, Malik Azmat Hayat for PP-23, Raja Mazhar Hussain for PP-22, Raja Amjad Noor for PP-21, and Chaudhry Naushad Ali for PP-20, were present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2024