LAHORE, Oct 3: A spacious house near old Lahore airport, which remained the hub of political activities of the PPP for a few weeks, has been giving a deserted look since Mr Asif Ali Zardari went abroad in the first week of May for medical treatment. And there is little hope for the house to get back crowds in the near future.
What was subsequently named Bilawal House was acquired for Mr Zardari when he decided to make Punjab the base of his political activities to contain the growing influence of the Chaudhrys of Gujrat.
Since his return from the UAE on April 16 along with a media team, the PPP leader used the premises for many meetings and press conferences. A large number of PPP leaders and workers were seen there round the clock.
However, the situation changed when the spouse of Ms Benazir Bhutto left for the UAE in the first week of May for medical tests. In the light of tests, he was advised angioplasty, which he underwent immediately.
But Mr Zardari still felt some problems, after which he went to the United States for further tests. There, he again underwent angioplasty and was advised rest for a few months. Because of the medical advice, Mr Zardari could not go to Geneva where he was supposed to appear before a magistrate in connection with a money-laundering case.
In his absence, no activities are seen at the Bilawal House. Only Mr Qurban Khoso is there to look after the place.
For the time being, no efforts are being made to look for a more spacious house in the city which could be used as residence-cum-office of Mr Zardari. A search for a suitable house had been started since the existing one could not serve both purposes.
Efforts have been given up reportedly because no one knows when Mr Zardari would come back to Pakistan. Some courts have already issued arrest warrants, in the presence of which nobody can predict whether he would be able to come to the Bilawal House even if he returns to Pakistan.
Ms Benazir Bhutto is the other person who could use the house. But her future is also uncertain in view of the cases pending against her.
Some government functionaries have repeatedly said that she would be arrested on her return to Pakistan. And the PPP leaders have been consistently saying that they would decide the timing of Ms Bhutto’s return to Pakistan keeping in mind all aspects of the situation.
The twice-elected former prime minister had left Pakistan in 1999.