KARACHI: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Thursday invited applications from its office-bearers, workers and supporters for party ticket for contesting upcoming local government elections.

The announcement came at PPP’s Sindh Council meeting held at Chief Minister House. The meeting was chaired by chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari through a video link from Islamabad.

A host of agenda came under discussion at the meeting, which was co-chaired by senior leaders Faryal Talpur and Nisar Khuhro. The participants reiterated that the struggle against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government at the centre would lead to the fall of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government.

“The PPP has declared a war on the PTI government who is the enemy of the people,” said the PPP chairman.

“The long march of millions of people will weigh heavily on this government and we will achieve our goal when we reach Islamabad. The long march against this incompetent government would start from Mazar-i-Quaid on Feb 27 and would reach Islamabad to achieve its objectives,” he said.

The meeting reviewed the arrangements and preparations for the long march and it was decided to ensure full participation of the people. Among leaders from across Sindh, legislators and presidents of party’s wings, the meeting was attended by Sarfraz Rajar, Waqar Mehdi, Aajez Dhamra, Syed Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani, Sasui Palijo, Noman Sheikh and Lal Chand Ukrani.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari was confident that only the people and PPP would be successful this time asking the party workers and leaders to unite and become one voice by overcoming their differences.

“The PPP should win the general elections including local government elections all over the country,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, PPP’s women wing president Faryal Talpur said that the people were suffering from the high cost of living, unemployment and high taxes of this government.

She feared that the crisis of urea would reduce the wheat crop, which would lead to another crisis.

She also informed the meeting that the applications were invited from party office-bearers, activists and sympathisers who were interested in contesting the upcoming local government elections. She said Jan 30 would be the last date for applying for a party ticket.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2022