GUJRAT: Former prime minister and Pakistan People’s Party Central Punjab President Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has said if India tries to attack Pakistan, it will give a befitting reply.

“Every Pakistani is ready to protect the motherland. Entire nation stands behind the armed forces like a rock. India is defaming Pakistan with traditional arrogance and malice,” he was speaking to the media in Sambrial town on Friday.

Punjab PPP General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza, former federal minister Imtiaz Safdar Warraich, Punjab PPP vice president Ijaz Samman were also present

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf announced the PPP has nominated Raheel Kamran Cheema as its candidate for PP-52 (Sialkot), while the in-charge of the election campaign is Gujranwala divisional president Asif Bashir Bhagat.

The former prime minister said the PPP has always represented every class. He said the party will fight this election vigorously. Raja Ashraf said he is fighting with full planning to win the by-election.

He hoped Raheel Kamran Cheema will win and solve problems of the people of Sialkot.

Earlier, Ashraf along with other party leaders reached Wazirabad residence of Ijaz Samman and held a meeting with the local party workers in connection with the party’s election campaign.

At least 34 candidates have filed their nomination papers for the by-polls scheduled for June 1. The seat fell vacant due to the demise of PML-N MPA Arshad Javed Warraich last month.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2025