Karachi, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has vowed not to forget the sacrifices of party workers who lost their lives during the recent election campaign, including 12-year-old Shaheed Abdul Rehman. Amidst a backdrop of political tension and violence, Zardari emphasized his commitment to seeking justice for the victims and addressing electoral discrepancies highlighted during the campaign.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, Zardari visited the family of Shaheed Abdul Rehman in New Karachi, offering condolences and reinforcing his pledge to combat political violence. During the visit, Zardari expressed his concerns over the pressure exerted on the family to sever ties with the PPP and the subsequent attack they faced for their refusal. He criticized law enforcement agencies for filing FIRs against the victim’s family instead of pursuing justice and announced plans for a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe election-related violence once his party assumes government in Sindh.

The PPP chairman also addressed the broader issue of electoral integrity, citing discrepancies in the results of constituencies PS-124 and PS-125 where PPP candidates were reportedly victorious as per Forms-45 but were not declared winners. Zardari pledged to challenge these outcomes through appropriate legal channels, signaling a determination to rectify perceived injustices.

Highlighting the irony of protests by opposition parties alleging election rigging (‘Dhandhali’), Zardari pointed out their historical inability to secure wins in Sindh and accused them of seeking leeway to commit electoral fraud themselves. He challenged these parties to produce evidence of rigging, questioning the validity of their claims against the backdrop of PPP’s consistent electoral success in the region.

In response to political dynamics at the national level, Zardari commented on the political maneuverings involving PTI and PML-N, suggesting that PTI’s stance on Shahbaz Sharif’s premiership was disingenuous. He further criticized attempts to undermine Pakistan’s interests through communications with international bodies like the IMF, underscoring a prioritization of political gain over national well-being.

Zardari concluded his remarks by reaffirming the PPP’s stance against terrorism, asserting that religious, linguistic, and sectarian violence would not be tolerated in Karachi or Sindh. This declaration came as he visited other families affected by political violence, including that of Abdul Wahid Awan, a former general secretary of the People’s Youth Organization (PYO), reinforcing his message of solidarity and support for those impacted by the tumultuous election period.