Pakistan Reader# 704, 29 December 2023
Rohini Reenum
On 27 December, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari kickstarted the party’s election campaign and unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming general elections to be held on 8 February 2024. He announced an ambitious ten-point program while addressing a large public gathering in Larkana on the 16th death anniversary of his mother and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
According to a report in the Business Recorder, he told the gathering, “Some forces martyred Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto thinking that by doing so they would destroy the PPP, thereby suppressing the voice of the poor, farmers, workers, students and youth.” He commended people for gathering in large numbers to show their support and projected PPP as the only party that could effectively deal with the challenges facing the country.
The manifesto can be viewed as the party’s proposed solutions to the myriad problems facing Pakistan
What does the manifesto mean?
The PPP is projecting itself as a people’s party, with its manifesto focusing mainly on welfare initiatives and pro-people policies. While addressing the gathering, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari hailed the former president Asif Ali Zardari for introducing the BISP under the party’s slogan ‘Roti, Kapra aur Makan’ (Food, Clothing, and Shelter), and for championing the transition from dictatorship to democracy in the country. He also highlighted PPP’s past achievements - the devolution of powers through the 18th Amendment and the successful implementation of the National Finance Commission (NFC) award. He reiterated his commitment to tackling the menace of terrorism and enhancing Pakistan’s international image without providing any concrete plan. It is to be noted that there has been a dramatic upsurge in terror attacks, especially suicide attacks in Pakistan this year. Pakistan has also been dealing with economic and financial distress and any party that aims to deal with Pakistan’s woes must not only ensure its preparedness but should be able to assure the people on that front. Despite these state of affairs, Bilawal showed optimism and emphasized his party’s resilience, competence, and preparedness for tackling the country’s myriad problems and urged the people to bring into power an ‘Awami Raj’. Whether this ‘Awami Raj’ will be able to earn people’s mandate and become Pakistan’s proposed savior is a tale only time can tell.
References
M.B. Kalhoro, “Bilawal announces ‘manifesto’ at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh,” Dawn, 28 December, 2023
“PPP starts election campaign with 10-point manifesto”, The Nation, 28 December, 2023
“Bilawal unveils 10-point election manifesto,” Business Recorder, 28 December, 2023
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
Matiari-Lahoretransmissionlinei.jpg){kind=spacer}
