PPP Co-chairman President Asif Ali Zardari has said that time had come for mobilizing all divisional and district organizations of the party, particularly in Punjab, to gear up for the elections which would be held on time.
The president said he himself would undertake visits throughout the province to mobilize workers and his visit to Lahore was part of that exercise. The president said Faryal Talpur would also assist the party in completing the organizational structures up to the ward level. He said this during a series of meetings held separately with various party wings, including women, information, labour and other office-bearers at the Governor’s House Lahore on Friday. Zardari asked district presidents and party ticket-holders to point out problems faced by the masses as well as the workers in their respective districts and constituencies so that their grievances could be addressed on priority basis.
Commenting on transparency in elections, the president said the Election Commission of Pakistan in consultation with all political parties had undertaken the task of correcting voters’ lists, adding that a law had already been framed to make CNIC mandatory for every voter.
He said with these reforms, no one would be able to hijack elections in the country, adding that the bane of manipulated elections would be banished for ever. The president said the PPP was proceeding with a well-thought-out and calculated political course. It was part of this policy that he transferred all his powers to the parliament and embarked upon a policy of reconciliation shunning political vendetta and victimization. Zardari said the PPP had adopted a policy of reconciliation per the vision of the Benazir Bhutto. He said the reconciliation policy had helped strengthen democracy. Zardari said the political opponents in Punjab lacked patience and tolerance, whereas the PPP had shown large heartedness.
Commenting on the challenges facing the government and the party, the president said “we should not fear anything except the act of being afraid”.
Addressing the workers, the president said the PPP was proud of the noblest traditions of sacrifice and service set by great PPP workers and leadership for democracy and emancipation of the people.
