Give me a chance instead of those elected PM multiple times: Bilawal

ABBOTTABAD/ LAHORE: The main leaderships of two major political parties, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN), have launched full-fledged election campaigns in the wake of fast approaching general election on February 8 next year. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Thursday urged the people of Pakistan to give him a chance to serve them instead of electing a person as the premier for the fourth time. 

“Instead of making someone the prime minister for the second or 4th time, we should give a chance to someone who hasn’t been given the chance before,” he added.

On the other hand, PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif, in an attempt to woo voters once again, cited mega projects launched in the country during his previous tenures. He said if his policies would have been permitted to continue, the country would have made a lot of progress till now.

Addressing a PPP workers convention in Abbottabad, Bilawal said his party was always ready to contest elections as it had complete trust in masses.

The PPP chairman said he was grateful to the Jiyalas of his party for giving him such a grand and historic welcome on his tour of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He especially thanked women for participating in the event in large numbers. “Relations between people and Peoples Party go back three generations. The PPP always worked for uplift of masses,” he claimed.

Recalling the contribution of Asif Zardari, he said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa used to be called the NWFP, and it was during the PPP’s tenure and due to efforts of the-then president Zardari that the province was given an identity. “We believe that solution to all problems of people lies in PPP manifesto. We will empower farmers, workers and the common people only if we follow in the footsteps and ideology of Quaid-e-Awam,” he added.

He said that inflation was at its peak and leaders and bureaucrats did not comprehend the extent to which the people had been suffering. “If we wish to put an end to our problems, we need a new mindset and leadership that does not engage in politics of hate and division, rather focuses on serving people,” he added.

He said the PPP had a plan to give relief to people. “The BISP is a living example of our efforts and priorities, but we would have to further expand it to maximise benefits that are provided to people. We will launch similar projects that benefit every stratum of society,” he added.

The PPP, he said, would introduce a Kissan Card for farmers so that they are able to reap the benefits of their hard work and efforts directly. “Our other desire is to bring a Benazir Mazdoor Card and provide benefits of social security of our workers and look after their wellbeing and that of their families through it,” he added.

The PPP leader said: “We have to make a five-year plan which allows for us to double wages. If the government shifts all its focus on this, then people will prosper. We want businesses to flourish, but perks are to be shared with everyone. PPP has increased the minimum wage in its every tenure.”

Separately, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, during a visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), resolved to bring back smiles on the faces of masses if his party was voted to power again. He was accompanied by his younger brother and PMLN President Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar and Maryam Nawaz. He got a standing ovation from traders, industrialists and office-bearers of the chamber.

Nawaz deplored that people were braving the worst-ever economic conditions in the country. He said it was an uphill task for the poor when prices had gone out of control. It was extremely hard even for trade and industry to survive. He said PMLN would not make promises that could not be fulfilled. Nawaz deplored that the Pakistani Rupee today was the weakest currency in the world. He reminded that the currency was stable during the PMLN’s 2013-18 tenure.

The PMLN leader said his governments had steered the country out of crises three times in the past, and if given a chance it would do it again. “We pulled Pakistan out of the grey list in 2013,” he said deploring that every time PMLN puts the country on a growth path, it is undemocratically removed.

Nawaz said the party was against joining the government in 2022, but “we had to because Pakistan was on the verge of default and we had to assume power.” Even Shehbaz Sharif was ready to resign, but then we decided to face the unwarranted threats of the former ruling party and steer the country till the next election. He assured businessmen that the PMLN had a plan to turn around the economy and reduce burden on the poor.

He claimed the PMLN was the only government that completed the IMF programme without hitches during its last tenure. His government initiated exploration of Thar coal to generate power from that indigenous resource. Lastly, he said his party was fully aware of the challenges facing the country and its people and promised that after coming to power, all issues would be resolved to the satisfaction of every stakeholder. He thanked the current and past office-bearers of the chamber for the support accorded to him.

The LCCI officer-bearers said the acknowledgment from PMLN Quaid Nawaz Sharif not only celebrates the accomplishments of Shehbaz Sharif but also underscores the party’s commitment to effective and responsible governance. They said the shared vision of the Sharif brothers continues to shape a narrative of resilience, strategic decision-making, and an unwavering focus on the prosperity of Pakistan.

This public endorsement stands as a testament to the unity and strength within the PMLN leadership, reinforcing their collective dedication to steering Pakistan toward a path of sustainable growth and development, they added.