PPP Chairman instructs the party to begin preparations for local body elections during his visit to Lahore
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. SCREEN GRAB
LAHORE:
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has directed the party’s Lahore chapter to immediately complete organizational restructuring down to the grassroots level and begin preparations for local body elections during a short visit to Lahore that largely focuses on political engagements, condolence visits and internal party consultations.
Bilawal, who arrived in Lahore from Balochistan late Monday evening without significant advance notice, held meetings with party leaders at Bilawal House after spending most of the visit offering condolences and felicitations at various residences across the city.
During discussions with Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider and Lahore Chapter President Faisal Mir, the PPP Chairman directed the party leadership to speed up organizational work and strengthen preparations for future local government elections.
According to party officials, Bilawal visited the Watto family residence to condole the demise 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 express good wishes for 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 chairman returned to his residence where Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider and Lahore chapter president Faisal Mir were called for a meeting on party affairs.
Central Punjab Information Secretary Shehzad Saeed Cheema also accompanied Bilawal during the visits. Party insiders, however, claimed that Cheema joined the governor’s entourage without invitation, creating inconvenience even for the governor’s team.
Sources said Punjab central president Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and 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 due to the short duration of Bilawal’s stay.
The son of a late governor also visited Bilawal House, though sources claimed the interaction remained limited to a photo opportunity.
During the meeting at Bilawal House, Bilawal held detailed discussions with the Governor and Faisal Mir on party affairs in Punjab. Sources said Bilawal directed Mir to complete organizational restructuring in Lahore at the earliest and prepare the party for local body elections.
It was learned that increased political activity in Lahore under the new city leadership has created cautious optimism in the party’s decision-making circles regarding a possible political revival in the provincial capital.
Party sources further claimed that during his visit to Samina Khalid Gurki’s residence, Bilawal 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 GB to campaign for PPP candidates and may hold rallies in Skardu and Ghizer.
Meanwhile, sources vehemently denied reports suggesting unrest in the PPP over a potential constitutional amendment. A well-placed source said Bilawal remained fully focused on Kashmir, UK elections and internal party affairs.
