PPP Chairman asks party to begin preparations for local elections during visit to Lahore
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). SCREENSHOT
LAHORE:
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has asked the party’s Lahore branch to immediately complete organizational restructuring down to the grassroots level and begin preparations for local body elections during a brief visit to Lahore focused largely on political engagements, condolence visits and internal party consultations.
Bilawal, who arrived in Lahore from Balochistan late Monday evening without significant notice, held meetings with party leaders at Bilawal House after spending most of the visit offering condolences and congratulations at various residences in the city.
During discussions with Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider and Lahore branch president Faisal Mir, the PPP chairman asked the party leadership to speed up organizational work and strengthen preparations for future local body elections.
According to party officials, Bilawal visited the Watto family residence to offer condolences over the death of former federal minister and ex-chief minister Manzoor Watto. He met Watto’s sons Mauzam, Khurram and Zeeshan, as well as Rubina Shaheen Watto and Jahanara Watto.
He also visited Nawab Shehzad Ali Khan, a close friend of President Asif Ali Zardari, to extend his best wishes for his daughter’s engagement. Later, Bilawal visited the residence of Samina Party chief Khalid Gurki to congratulate her on her son’s marriage.
Following the visits, the PPP chairman returned to his residence, where Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider and Lahore branch president Faisal Mir were called for a meeting on party affairs.
Central Punjab Information Secretary Shehzad Saeed Cheema also accompanied Bilawal during the visits. However, party members alleged that Cheema joined the governor’s entourage without invitation, thereby creating inconvenience even for the governor’s team.
Sources said Central Punjab President Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and party general secretary were not present in Lahore due to the quasi-surprise nature of the visit. According to party sources, both leaders were advised not to visit Lahore, given the short duration of Bilawal’s stay.
The son of a late governor also visited Bilawal House, although sources said the interaction remained limited to a photo opportunity.
During the meeting at Bilawal House, Bilawal held detailed discussions with the Governor and Faisal Mir regarding party issues in Punjab. Sources said Bilawal asked Mir to complete the organizational restructuring in Lahore at the earliest and prepare the party for local body elections.
It is learned that the increased political activity in Lahore under the city’s new leadership has generated cautious optimism within the party’s decision-making circles about a possible political renaissance in the provincial capital.
Party sources further claimed that Bilawal, during his visit to Samina Khalid Gurki’s residence, acknowledged and appreciated Faisal Mir’s efforts for the party in Lahore.
According to party members, Bilawal is expected to leave Lahore before Wednesday afternoon. In the coming days, he is also expected to visit Britain to campaign for PPP candidates and may hold rallies in Skardu and Ghizer.
At the same time, sources have strongly denied reports suggesting unease within the PPP over a possible constitutional amendment. A well-placed source said Bilawal remained fully focused on Kashmir, the UK elections and internal party affairs.
