Ahead of the long-awaited vote on February 8, PPP chairman wants PTI supporters to vote for the “arrow”
- Bilawal says it's time to act seriously and wisely while voting.
- “Politician criticizes PTI for finishing without 'bat' symbol in polls”.
- “The majority does not want anyone to become prime minister for the fourth time.”
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters to vote for his party, while casting shade on the Imran Khan-led party before of the general elections.
“PTI founder is out of race while all leaders [of the party] are planted,” Bilawal said while addressing an election rally in Rawalpindi as political campaigns for the February 8 elections continue in full swing.
A host of new faces joined the PTI recently, most of them lawyers, as the party's top leaders are either jailed or separated after May 9, the day military installations were looted, sparking anger of the State against the PTI.
Bilawal's comments came as the young politician called on the masses to inform PTI supporters that the PPP has been fighting for a democratic regime in the country for three generations.
He said now was the time to act seriously and wisely rather than emotionally, asking the masses not to “waste” their vote by not voting in favor of the “arrow”, which is the electoral symbol of the PPP.
Bilawal then criticized the PTI for ending up without the 'bat' symbol, saying the party lost its iconic election symbol due to its own mistakes, while referring to the party's internal elections that were declared illegal by the Supreme Court.
He said that the PTI leaders launch abuses against the judges and the next day they appear before the same courts “unprepared and shedding crocodile tears” for being stripped of their 'bat' symbol.
“Use the power of your vote instead of wasting it. You have to mark the arrow on February 8 and together we will hunt the lion,” Bilawal said once again urging people to vote for the PPP.
He then turned the gun on his rival party, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), saying that if party supremo Nawaz Sharif became prime minister for the fourth time it would impede development and progress in the country.
“The majority of the country does not want anyone to become prime minister for the fourth time,” Bilawal said as he continued to criticize three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif for aspiring to the prime minister's post once again.
He stated that only the PPP could get the country out of the crisis and bring stability.
Furthermore, the former Foreign Minister spoke about the fight against terrorism, which is once again on the rise in Pakistan.
“There will be no good or bad Taliban,” he said, promising to fight terrorism in all its forms.
Zardari's message to Baloch armed groups
Meanwhile, Bilawal's father and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, while addressing a public rally in Hub, Balochistan, asked people to advise the armed groups present in the province against violence.
“Guide those friends who use weapons: why do they take up arms? Let us move towards democracy,” Zardari said, adding that following democracy would solve all problems.
He said the PPP never promoted aggression and fighting while calling on the masses to vote for the “arrow” on election day.
“The survival of Balochistan lies in democracy,” he added, promising the people of Balochistan that they will be given their rights.
The experienced politician then called for improving the peace and security situation in Hub to attract Karachi-based investors to the city.
On the other hand, Asifa Bhutto-Zardari addressed a public rally in Lyari and promised the local people to provide them with free education and health services if they voted for the PPP to come to power.
“Bilawal and I are your voice,” Asifa said, highlighting that the PPP had a pro-people manifesto.
He also promised to regularize Lyari slums and end poverty and hunger.
