Bugti joins PPP, Bilawal lashes out at Nawaz Sharif
Former caretaker interior minister Sarfraz Bugti has officially joined the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) shortly after resigning from his ministerial position, a mandatory step for contesting elections. Bugti made this announcement during a PPP workers convention in Turbat, where he expressed his joy at entering the upcoming general elections with the support of PPP, citing the encouragement of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
The general elections, scheduled for February 8, 2024, were confirmed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) following Supreme Court orders. Bugti expressed hope for peace in Balochistan under Zardari’s leadership and urged him to establish a state-of-the-art hospital in Turbat for improved healthcare.
Assuring Zardari of his commitment, Bugti pledged to transform PPP into a progressive party. He emphasized PPP’s role in challenging negative narratives against Pakistan. Before joining PPP, Bugti was associated with the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).
Bilawal lashes out at Nawaz
Contrary to earlier reports suggesting Bugti’s intention to contest on a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ticket, he formally aligned himself with PPP. Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari asserted that Nawaz Sharif’s tenures were akin to dictatorships for his party. Bhutto-Zardari expressed confidence in PPP’s prospects in Punjab and emphasized the importance of a level playing field for fair elections. He praised PPP workers for their unwavering support during challenging times and emphasized the possibility of political parties engaging in dialogue for resolution.
While, during his visit to KP, Zardari opted to stay at the Governor House. He met with KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali, and various leaders from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), PPP ticket holders, and workers also had meetings with Zardari. Excluding PTI, the PPP co-chairperson stated that local leadership holds the authority to form alliances with other political parties. Governor Ghulam Ali and Peshawar Mayor Zubair Ali presented the traditional shawl and other gifts to the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian president.
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Meanwhile, senior leaders of PPP categorically rejected the possibility of an election alliance with PTI in KP. According to PPP leader and former MPA Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha, there was no discussion about an alliance with PTI during the meeting with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday. The meeting, which included Faryal Talpur, the head of PPP Women Wing, focused on evaluating the qualifications of candidates who had applied for the party tickets in the upcoming election.
Notable figures like former prime minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, former deputy speaker of the National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi, Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha, and Rubina Khalid were also present at the PPP KP parliamentary board meeting, which delved into the assessment of candidates’ credentials.