Karachi, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has reiterated his commitment to fulfilling the promises made in the party’s election manifesto, focusing on poverty alleviation, unemployment, and inflation. In a press conference held in Sukkur, Zardari underscored the PPP’s ambitious agenda to transform Pakistan’s socio-economic landscape.
According to Pakistan People’s Party, Zardari detailed the PPP’s plan to redirect Rs 1500 billion, currently received as subsidies by mill owners, directly to the country’s poor farmers and workers. He affirmed that the incoming PPP government would begin working on its 10-point agenda immediately upon formation, with the aim of ending inflation, unemployment, and poverty.
Zardari called on the Election Commission to remove members of the PML-N from government positions and urged the PTI leadership to admit their mistakes and apologize. He highlighted the massive turnout at Garhi Khudabakhsh on December 27 as proof of the PPP’s widespread support, indicating a strong showing in the upcoming elections on February 8.
The PPP Chairman presented the party’s 10-point election manifesto on the death anniversary of Ms. Benazir Bhutto, emphasizing the need to tackle Pakistan’s primary challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inflation. He expressed the PPP’s intention to extend the successes in education, health, and social security achieved in Sindh to the entire country.
Emphasizing women’s empowerment and economic development, Zardari pledged that the incoming PPP government would double salaries over its five-year term, establish green energy parks at the district level, and provide free electricity up to 300 units to the deserving class. He also spoke about developing solar electricity supply for the country’s poor citizens based on the carbon credit program.
Zardari announced the construction of 3 million houses for homeless citizens and the expansion of the Benazir Income Support Program. He reiterated the introduction of Kisan Card and Mazdoor Card to provide financial support to the laborers and farmers.
He emphasized the establishment of youth centers at the divisional level and the issuance of youth cards for financially supporting educated unemployed youths. Zardari reaffirmed the PPP’s commitment to restoring the hunger eradication program and fighting against poverty, unemployment, and inflation.
Addressing concerns about the election process, Zardari criticized unjust practices in certain regions and warned against elite propaganda against the PPP manifesto. He also highlighted the need for development beyond infrastructure projects, citing PPP’s provision of free healthcare in Sindh.
In response to questions, Zardari stated his intention to contest the election from Lahore, expressing his belief that the people of Lahore deserve more choices. He condemned the non-arrest of suspects in the murder of journalist Shaheed Jan Muhammad Mehr and demanded justice from the Sindh caretaker chief minister.
The press conference was attended by prominent PPP leaders including former Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, senior leader Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Bakhsh Mehr, and others.