PPP chairman instructs party to begin preparations for local body elections during his visit to Lahore.
The president of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. SCREEN CAPTURE
LAHORE:
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has directed the party’s Lahore branch to immediately complete organizational restructuring down to the grassroots level and begin preparations for the local body elections during a brief visit to Lahore focusing mainly on political engagements, condolence visits and internal party consultations.
Bilawal, who arrived in Lahore from Balochistan on Monday night unannounced, met party leaders at Bilawal House after spending most of the visit offering condolences and congratulations at various residences in the city.
During talks with Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider and Lahore Chapter President Faisal Mir, the PPP president directed the party leaders to accelerate organizational work and strengthen preparations for future local government elections.
According to party officials, Bilawal visited the Watto family residence to offer condolences on the demise of former federal minister and former 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 good wishes on his daughter’s engagement. Later, Bilawal visited party leader Samina Khalid Gurki’s residence to congratulate her on her son’s wedding.
After the visits, the PPP president returned to his residence where Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider and Lahore Chapter President Faisal Mir were summoned for a meeting on party matters.
Central Punjab Information Secretary Shehzad Saeed Cheema also accompanied Bilawal during the visits. However, party members claimed that Cheema joined the governor’s entourage without invitation, creating inconvenience even for the governor’s team.
Sources said Central Punjab president Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and the party general secretary were not present in Lahore due to the almost surprise nature of the visit. According to party sources, both leaders were advised not to travel to Lahore, given the short duration of Bilawal’s stay.
The son of a late governor also visited Bilawal House, though sources claimed the interaction was limited to a photo opportunity.
During the meeting at Bilawal House, Bilawal held detailed discussions with the governor and Faisal Mir on party issues in Punjab. Sources said Bilawal directed Mir to complete the organizational restructuring in Lahore at the earliest and prepare the party for the local body elections.
It is learned that the rise in political activity in Lahore under the city’s new leadership has generated cautious optimism within the party’s decision-making circles regarding a possible political revival 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 insiders, Bilawal is expected to leave Lahore by 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.
Meanwhile, sources strongly denied reports suggesting unrest within the PPP over a possible constitutional amendment. A well-placed source said Bilawal remained fully focused on Kashmir, the UK elections and the party’s internal affairs.
