In the next general elections, the PPP seems willing to negotiate electoral coalitions and seat adjustment arrangements with all political parties except the PTI, which has been on the receiving end of criticism since the events of May 9.
While visiting the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Sunday, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari banned the provincial leadership of the PPP from forming an election alliance with Imran Khan’s party.
The PTI dominated the province for nearly a decade until the legislature was prematurely dissolved in January of this year, and the K-P is still seen as their stronghold.
In an effort to oppose the PML-N, several PPP leaders have previously stated that their party was prepared to work with the PTI, especially in Punjab province.
Zardari, however, told the K-P party leaders on Sunday not to work together or swap seats with the PTI during the elections. Prior to the general elections on February 8, these party chiefs had contacted the PPP supreme leader to plot their course of action.
The PPP leader reportedly advocated the immediate settlement of internal party disputes and gave the provincial leadership the authority to decide on coalitions or seat adjustments with other parties on their own.
Interestingly, four political parties, including the PPP, have approached the JU-F for seat adjustment deals, suggesting that it is the primary benefactor of the ongoing crackdown against the PTI in the province. The JU-F enjoys enormous public support.
At the Mufti Mahmood Center in Peshawar, the JUI-F will be met separately by the PPP, the ANP, and the QWP today (Monday).
Provincial JUI-F media secretary Abdul Jalil Jan said that the party has met with the PML-N twice for talks and that a third meeting is imminent. “We are willing to talk to any political party,” he declared.
Along with JUI-F leaders and K-P Governor Ghulam Ali, Zardari met in Peshawar. The former president made a stop at the wedding of Ziaullah Afridi’s son, a former provincial minister, before heading back to Karachi.
Former minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi had already announced his joining of the PPP during a meeting with Zardari in Islamabad. The gathering also included Ahmed Saeed Kazmi. Another adherent of the faith became a PPP member.
Jamal and Farid Raisani, two prominent PPP members from Balochistan, met with Asif Ali Zardari as well. Upcoming elections and the current political climate in Balochistan were topics of discussion among the leaders.
During his one-day visit to Turbat, Zardari will address a workers’ convention and, according to expectations, the PPP will receive new members from a number of prominent political figures.
Discussions regarding the qualifications and eligibility of the ticket hopefuls were chaired by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari during the parliamentary board meeting of the party’s K-P chapter. During the meeting, sources said, crucial choices were made.
In areas where the party is unable to field candidates, the PPP chairman announced that party office-bearers would run for office. He formally requested that the provincial leadership complete the PPP candidate roster for the province no later than seven days from now.
When Bilawal Bhutto arrives in Lahore tomorrow, he will also meet with provincial leaders for additional deliberations. At this event, there will also be a report on the interactions with candidates who were not able to receive tickets from the PML-N.
