KARACHI: In the last leg of electioneering, Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday took a round of Karachi in order to muster support for his candidates, vowing to restore the lost glory of the business capital of the country.

The PPP leader takes out the rally just a day after a ‘moderate’ spell of rain put the provincial capital on a standstill, bringing his party under severe criticism for ‘failing’ to meet the challenge through its local government machinery.

Despite serious criticism from rival parties and different segments of the society, the undeterred and confident PPP chief vowed to win majority in Karachi in Feb 8 elections after decades of services to the people of the city on the back during 15-year rule in Sindh.

And at the same time, the PPP chairman warned Karachiites that if they chose members of other parties, they won’t be able to fix their problems.

Visits every district of the city to muster support for PPP candidates

Accompanied by senior party leaders and hundreds of workers over a specially-designed truck, the PPP chairman made appearance in every city district in hours-long rally that came out from one corner of the city, Bilawal House in Clifton, and ended at Dawood Chowrangi in Landhi witnessing Mr Bhutto-Zardari making speeches at different points amid enthusiastic reception by cheering crowds.

However, along its route the heavily-guarded rally also tested nerves of commuters and other road users who became stuck up in severe traffic jams in different parts of the city because of the rally.

The first stopover was Shireen Jinnah Colony, where the PPP chairman set the tone for his day-long activity in the metropolis by promising citizens to do ‘wonders’ for Karachi after winning the polls.

He made it clear that none other than his party could be able to serve the people of the metropolis.

“Karachi, you have to give me one chance,” he said to a roaring crowd.

“It’s my promise, if you give me the mandate, my party will change the face of Karachi in next five years. And let me tell you very clearly that if you vote for any other party and bring them, they won’t be able to do any work for the city. This time you have to vote for Teer [PPP’s electoral symbol arrow]. You have to send your true representatives to the parliament.”

The rally proceeded at a snail pace due to heavy presence of vehicles moving along with the PPP chairman’s convoy. Riding on motorbikes, cars, vans, buses, trucks and different modes of transport the charged participants carrying placards and PPP flags and dancing to the tunes of party songs, kept joining the rally from different points along its route.

The rally then moved to Keamari and entered the PPP stronghold Lyari where the PPP chairman was received by a charged crowd, including women and children.

In Lea Market and Chakiwara areas, the rally moved in the jam packed lanes with crowd on both sides of the truck carrying Mr Bhutto-Zardari.

Repeating his resolve to end subsidies for the elite of the country after coming to power, the PPP chairman came up with value addition to his rhetoric.

“We will end all subsidies to the elites and spend the funds to provide relief to the underprivileged masses,” he said in his address at Purana Golimar.

“Do you know that the elite class of this country consumes Rs1,500 billion in subsidies and the poor class is deprived of even basic needs. I promise you that we will bring these subsidies to an end and spend the money on the development of Karachi.”

Moving from Pak Colony, the rally finally crossed into Lasbella to enter Central district near Gulbahar and then at Rizvia Chowrangi in Nazimabad.

The rally then moved to Nazimabad Petrol Pump, Liaquatabad No 10, Hasan Square, University Road, Safoora Chowrangi, Malir Cantt, Kala Board in Malir and completed its journey at Dawood Chowrangi in Landhi.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2024