MITHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday celebrated the Hindu festival of Diwali with the Hindu community in Mithi, while Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan also arrived in Sindh on a two-day visit ahead of the second phase of local body polls in the province.

Bilawal Bhutto, during his speech at an event organised by the PPP at Marvi Sports Complex, said his party believed in equal rights for all citizens of Pakistan and that his party had always stood against extremism.

"I have come here to celebrate Diwali with you and share these sweet moments of merry making," said Bilawal.

Bilawal reminded the people of the area how the PPP-led Sindh government had left no stone unturned to serve the drought-hit people of Thar.

He lashed out at at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for not fulfilling promises made with the people of Thar during his visit to the area last year.

In an apparent jab at PML-N MPA from Thar, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Bilawal said Nawaz Sharif's representative from Thar is actually a 'Raavan', a devilish character from Hindu mythology.

"At one end is Nawaz Sharif and his Raavan, and on the other hand is Thar. And the people of Thar want Nawaz to call back his Raavan," said Bilawal.

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The PPP chairman promised the crowd that in the coming years he would continue to celebrate their festivals in Sindh and other parts of the country.

Sindh Information Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, MPA Dr Mehesh Malalani, MNA Faqir Sher Mohammad and other PPP leaders also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, Bilawal also chaired a meeting with local PPP leaders and candidates at Malalni House in Mithi.

Imran promises education, energy

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan addressed a small crowd in Tando Jam town of Hyderabad district and said he will try resolving the energy issue and bring education to the town.

"I will try to bring gas to your town," said the PTI chief.

Imran Khan, who is on a two-day visit to Sindh ahead of local body polls, urged the people of Tando Jam to vote for 'change', accusing the PML-N and PPP of doing nothing for the poor populace.

"PPP has already taken six turns but the poor people did not get anything out of their prolonged rule; it's time to opt for a change, no one can turn around your fortune but you," Imran told the audience.

The PTI chief arrived in Karachi Thursday and paid a visit to Tando Allah Yar, Tando Jam and will also attend a Diwali function at Umerkot district.

The second phase of local government elections is scheduled for Nov 19 in 15 districts of Sindh. The districts awaiting polls inclued Matiari, Tando Allah Yar, Tando Mohammad Khan, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Benaziriabad, Naushero Feroz, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Tharparkar.