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Tag: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

  • Government formation: What will kingmaker PPP do?

    Government formation: What will kingmaker PPP do?

    More than 11 days have passed since the general elections took place, yet the country is without a coherent government formation strategy.

    From every side saying they will form the government to every side saying they will sit in opposition, the situation remains unclear, except for one fact: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is in the driving seat as the Kingmakers.

    So what will the party do? Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari revealed on Sunday during a political rally in Thatta, that his party has rejected the power-sharing formula offered to them, but stressed that his father, Asif Ali Zardari, will be the PPP’s candidate for president. “I was told [by PML-N] that let us be the prime minister for three years, and then you can take the premiership for the remaining two years,” Bilawal revealed, adding that he said no to the offer. “I said I do not want to become a prime minister like this. If I become the prime minister, it will be after the people of Pakistan elect me.”

    The PPP chairman also said, without mentioning any names, that his party will align with those who asked for their votes but will not take ministries.

    The former foreign minister also stressed that his father will play a big role in reducing the political tension in the country.

    According to The News, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP are set to hold their fifth meeting today to hash out a formula for the formation of the federal government.

    On the other hand, PPP leader Sarfraz Bugti claimed on Sunday that his party will form the provincial government in Balochistan with the help of PML-N.

    “The PML-N would be our ally in Balochistan [as it has] given us a clear signal to form our government [in the province],” Bugti said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

  • ‘PPP will stay in Parliament for constructive criticism,’ says Faisal Karim Kundi

    ‘PPP will stay in Parliament for constructive criticism,’ says Faisal Karim Kundi

    As confusion around the formation of the government rages, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Faisal Karim Kundi has said that if his party had chosen to sit in opposition, the country would’ve gone towards another election.”The PPP will stay in Parliament for constructive criticism,” he stated.

    While addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, Kundi said PPP will contest the seats of Senate Chairman and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), adding that PPP will also help Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) form a government in the centre.

    The politician also urged all political parties to work together for political stability in Pakistan.

  • PPP is not interested to be part of government in centre, says Bilawal Bhutto

    PPP is not interested to be part of government in centre, says Bilawal Bhutto

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that his party is not interested in being part of the government in the centre. He also said that the PPP didn’t get a mandate and that “I’m not a candidate for Prime Minister.”

    The PPP Chairman said that PPP is not in a position to form a government at the centre, adding that PTI has said that it will not hold any talks with PPP, and PML-N is the only party that invited us to join the government at the centre.

    “We have decided that we are not in a position to be a part of the federal government. The former foreign minister said that we will not take ministries into the federal government, but we will vote for PML-N’s candidate for prime minister.

    He further said that we want the government formation to be completed soon and the country to come out of the crisis.

  • What are Google trends saying about your search history of popular party leaders?

    What are Google trends saying about your search history of popular party leaders?

    Google Trends offer an insight into the popularity and curiosity political leaders enjoy among the masses. As the elections are drawing near, we took a peak into the data Google Trends have recorded over the last 30 days.


    The highest and ever-increasing line graph is Imran Khan’s. The highest peak was shown on January 30 with Khan hitting the record 100 score whereas his contemporaries, Nawaz stood on 15, Maryam Nawaz at eight, Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari at three, and Hamza Shehbaz being the lowest: less than one.

    However, it is important to note that Imran’s progressively increasing arc starts dropping successively in the days after Jan 30.


    On the other hand, except for Hamza Shehbaz, the other three is slowly on an upward trend.


    Breakdown of regions


    PTI founder and jailed leader Imran Khan is most popular all over Pakistan according to Google Trends.


    Punjab


    In Punjab, the most popular choices for Chief Ministership, Hamza Shehbaz, and Maryam Nawaz contrary to popular perception, are not being searched so much. After Khan winning with more than 69 percent of searches, Nawaz Sharif is at 17 percent while Maryam is at nine percent. It appears that people in Punjab are comparatively more interested in Bilawal than Hamza who has 1 percent searches from all over the province.


    However, it is important to note that out of all the provinces, Punjab has shown more interest in PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif. Sindh has shown the most interest after Punjab, which is 11 percent, 10 percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, nine percent in Balochistan, and seven percent in former FATA.


    Sindh


    After Imran Khan (69 percent) former Foreign Minister and Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is unsurprisingly most popular in Sindh with 13 percent of Google searches. Second in line is Punjab and third is Balochistan. After him is Nawaz (11 percent) followed by Maryam (7 percent).


    Balochistan


    Imran Khan leading the slot here with 84 percent followed by Nawaz (9 percent), Maryam (4 percent), and Biawal Bhutto (3 percent). Hamza does not invoke public curiosity even the slightest.


    Gilgit Baltistan


    Imran Khan has a 100 percent popularity rate in Gilgit Baltistan, where it seems no other party leader stands a chance, implying that there were minor searches of them in GB.


    Former FATA


    Interestingly, in the former federally administered tribal areas, only Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif were searched for, Khan at 93 per cent of searches and Nawaz at seven percent.


    Though Google search and Google trends are not the ultimate parameter of a party leader’s popularity, they certainly are proof of what netizens are most interested in and the social media footing of a politician.

  • Asif Zardari promises PPP will take Pakistan out of crisis

    Asif Zardari promises PPP will take Pakistan out of crisis

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Zardari has said that his party knows how to take Pakistan out of the crisis it is currently facing.

    While addressing an election rally in Kahuta, the former President said that the PPP will build a medical college in the city.

    The PPP co-chairman also said, “We will solve the problems of people and also provide gas facilities in the area.”

    He told the people of Kahuta that he will keep coming to them.

    Earlier, the former president said in an interview that the Bilawal Bhutto-led party could even clean sweep Karachi and win from all constituencies of the metropolis if not for certain hindrances.

  • ‘Getting teary-eyed upon mention of my mother is my trauma response’, Bilawal opens up about mental health

    ‘Getting teary-eyed upon mention of my mother is my trauma response’, Bilawal opens up about mental health


    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari talked about mental health, climate change, politics and other issues in The Centrum Media’s podcast with Talha Ahad. Bilawal’s conversation about mental health and climate change was the most relatable by any Pakistani politician.

    When asked how he copes with the trauma of losing so much, especially his mother Benazir Bhutto who was assassinated, and if it has had any impact on his mental health, Bilawal responded candidly. He related the events that unfolded on December 27, 2007. He was in Dubai for his winter break from Oxford when his mother went to Pakistan for the election campaign. He was in Dubai with his father Asif Ali Zardari and his siblings when he heard the news about the attack on television. He was shocked and afraid. It was traumatic. He said he doesn’t even remember the conversation he had with his sisters about this.

    Bilawal Bhutto said that mental issue is a real issue but we do not take it seriously like we do with other diseases. “Your mind is just like any other part of your body,” he emphasised.


    Bilawal said he never went to seek therapy or even talked to a counsellor after having lost so much. He moved on from it like a traditional Pakistani, thinking he should just ‘man-up’ and face it without seeking help. He acknowledged that it was years later that he started reading and understood what he was going through. It was partially because of the “macho” attitude of a typical Pakistani.


    Bilawal admitted he feels the loss of his mother every day but he has learned to make this feeling of loss his strength instead of a shortcoming.


    Bilawal went on to explain his vision for dealing with mental health issues in Pakistan. He wants an “update” in the system. He wants to set up facilities through public-private partnership if he comes in power after elections.


    When asked if he meditates, Bilawal admitted that he tried it but hasn’t done it consistently because he lacks consistency. He watches Netflix shows in his free time. When asked when was the last time he cried, Bilawal said he does not remember.

  • Bilawal predicts a ‘coalition government’, addresses rumoured rift with father

    Bilawal predicts a ‘coalition government’, addresses rumoured rift with father

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto on Monday predicted the formation of a coalition government after the upcoming election set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    In an interview with Kashif Abbasi of ARY News, the former Foreign Minister said: “Whether it is led by PML-N [Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz] or any other party, the next government will be a coalition [regime].”

    Last year, in November, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari also anticipated the formation of a “national unity government” after elections. He believed that no single party will be able to get a two-thirds majority in the upcoming polls.

    When asked by Abbasi about the rumoured rift with his father, Bilawal Bhutto said that he is not angry and has no disagreements with his father. “I am not contesting elections against Zardari Sahib,” he said, smiling.

    The former foreign minister also said that every father including politicians, train their sons, stressing that he will never speak against his father.

    “The PPP and my father himself nominated me as a candidate for the slot of prime minister,” Bilawal added.

    He also said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif will take revenge on those who ousted him from government, if he returns to power.

  • PPP is all set to conquer Punjab and Sindh

    PPP is all set to conquer Punjab and Sindh

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari formally initiated his election campaign from NA-127 Lahore on Thursday.

    The party aims to leverage the perceived political vacuum created by the establishment in Pakistan.

    With the main rival, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), still deliberating on ticket allocations for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), PPP leaders have been actively canvassing for votes in their respective constituencies.

    According to the party’s central Punjab chief, a majority of aspiring candidates have already received confirmation regarding ticket allocations, making the official announcement a mere formality.

    PPP has unveiled its 10-point agenda as part of its manifesto, with the official manifesto set to be revealed in the coming days, as announced by the party’s information secretary.

    In contrast, PML-N, despite forming a manifesto committee over a month ago, has not made any public announcements regarding its plans.

    The recent introduction of an online portal by PML-N to gather public input on its manifesto suggests that the process is not in its advanced stages.

    Bilawal, who will contest elections from three constituencies, including NA-127 Lahore and the party stronghold Larkana, visited his election office at Green Town in Lahore to formally launch the campaign.

    During his election campaign trail, he would address rallies in Faisalabad (Jan 11), Layah (Jan 12), Bahawalpur (Jan 13), Balochistan’s Naseerabad (Jan 14), Sindh’s Larkana (Jan 15), Qambar Shahdadkot (Jan 16) Badin and Sanghar (Jan 17), Nowshero Feroz and Dadu (Jan 18), Rahim Yar Khan (Jan 19) Kot Daud (Jan 20), Lahore (Jan 21), Chiniot (Jan 23), Sarghoda (Jan 24), Lala Musa (Jan 25) Multan (Jan 26), Peshawar (Jan 27) , Rawalpindi (Jan 28), Kurram (Jan 29), DI Khan (Jan 30), Malakand (Jan 31), Khuzdar (Feb 1), Kashmor and Shikarpur (Feb 2) Mirpurkhas (Feb 3), Hyderabad (Jan 4) and his second last rally as per schedule would be in Karachi (Jan 5).

    The decision to contest from Lahore is seen as a strategic move, countering PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to contest from Karachi NA-242.

    The PPP aims to secure NA-127 Lahore, building on the momentum gained from the December 2021 by-election results, where the party’s candidate secured significant votes. The move is also seen as an effort to mitigate the risk of a complete loss for the party in Punjab.

    The party sees the absence of PTI from the political arena as a golden opportunity to capitalize on anti-PML-N votes. The PML-N is expected to issue the NA-127 ticket to its Deputy General Secretary Ata Tarar.

    Meanwhile, Mayor Murtaza Wahab asserted that the people of Karachi demonstrated their support for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the local government elections held on January 15, 2023, citing the party’s perceived capability to address the city’s issues.

    The mayor expressed these sentiments during the ‘Meeting the Editors’ program organized by the Council of Newspaper Editors (CPNE) on Thursday.

    “We worked for the resolution of the issues of the people of Karachi with sincerity. The development work will continue. People think that the next government will be of the PPP as they see Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as a viable leader,” the mayor said.

    Wahab attributed the success of the Jamaat-e-Islami in the local government elections to the boycott by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

  • PPP nominates Bilawal as party’s candidate for prime ministership

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has nominated its Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as the party’s candidate for the position of prime minister in the upcoming general election set to take place on February 8, The News reported on Thursday.

    The PPP’s top decision-making body took a decision in the meeting of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) on Wednesday at Bilawal House in Lahore.

    The former foreign minister is also contesting the election from NA-127 Lahore, where he will be in competition with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shaista Pervaiz Malik.

    The CEC meeting also discussed the party election manifesto, where it was determined that jobs, health, education, and the empowerment of women and youth will be prioritised.

    All party leaders in the CEC meeting showed confidence in the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former president Asif Ali Zardari.

    PPP leaders, including Secretary General Taj Haider, Syed Khursheed Shah, Rana Farooq Saeed Khan, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Samina Khalid Ghurki, Murad Ali Shah, Chaudhry Aslam Gill and Zulfikar Ali Bader were present at the meeting.

  • ‘Sab ki salary double hogi’; Bilawal Unveils Ambitious 10-Point Election Manifesto

    ‘Sab ki salary double hogi’; Bilawal Unveils Ambitious 10-Point Election Manifesto

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari presented an ambitious 10-point election manifesto during a public gathering in the party stronghold Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on the 16th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

    The manifesto, outlined on Wednesday, aims to establish a “pro-people” government after the upcoming February 8 elections.

    Here’s a breakdown of what Bilawal promised his party would do if they came into power:
    • Double salaries within five years
    • Free solar energy of 300 units for the poor; every district to have green energy parks
    • Education for all — rolling out projects for better education
    • Free health for all across Pakistan
    • Three million houses for flood affectees and the poor
    • Expand BISP’s scope; introducing more welfare schemes
    • BSIP-like programme for farmers and ‘Hari Card’
    • Enhanced support for labourers through Benazir Mazdoor Card
    • ‘Youth Card’ for unemployed youth and ‘Youth Markaz’
    • ‘Bhook Mitao Programme’

    At the core of the agenda is a commitment to double salaries and provide 300 free units of electricity per household. This goal is to be achieved through the creation of green energy parks in every district, focusing on harnessing solar and wind energy sources.

    In addition to economic measures, Bhutto-Zardari pledged to overhaul the health sector by replicating successful models such as NICVD, SIUT, and the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences across the country. Another significant project, titled ‘Apni Zamin, Apna Ghar,’ aims to construct three million houses nationwide.

    The manifesto also includes provisions for free education, the expansion of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), the introduction of Hari and Benazir Mazdoor Cards, and the establishment of youth centers in all divisional headquarters for career counseling and skill development.

    Bhutto-Zardari called for public support to navigate the current crisis, expressing confidence in the PPP’s ability to address national issues and strengthen the federation. Reflecting on the party’s past achievements, he highlighted the devolution of powers through the 18th Amendment and the successful implementation of the NFC award.

    The PPP chairman criticized certain politicians without naming them, accusing them of engaging in politics to evade legal challenges and jail time.

    “I had told my team that I wanted to contest from Lahore. I’ll take the battle to Lahore. Let’s see what happens,” he said.

    “Is it Lahore’s destiny that the same person will be installed for the fourth time?” Bilawal said while taking a jibe at the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, who is eying a record-fourth term as the country’s prime minister.

    “Our paths are different with that of those we were in government for 16 months,” Bilawal said while referring to the PML-N-led Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government of which the PPP was a key part.

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari, speaking on the occasion, reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling the promises made by his son. He criticized the central administration in Islamabad for its detachment from the struggles of the common people, contrasting it with the PPP’s “people-centric” approach.