Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attracted a considerable crowd at a rally in Badin on Tuesday where he used the occasion to criticise Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and disgruntled PPP leader Dr Zulfiqar Mirza.
Addressing the PTI chairman, who had earlier criticised the young leader for being ‘immature’, Bilawal asked, “Imran Uncle, has anyone ever taught a fish how to swim?”
Khan had earlier hit out at Bilawal’s political inexperience, referring to the PPP chairman as ‘baby’ Bilawal and saying he should become his student to learn politics as he has yet to qualify for it. In response, Bilawal House sent the PTI chief some a message about ‘what a good age to retire was’, hinting that Imran Khan ‘was past his time in politics’.
Bilawal, who was standing atop the same specially-constructed vehicle which his mother and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had used on her arrival in Karachi on October 18 2007, appealed to the resident of Badin to cast their votes in favour of PPP during the upcoming polls.
In his speech the PPP chairman said he would continue to stand with the people of Badin, who had always stood with his slain mother Benazir Bhutto and now with him.
“My uncles have deceived me and my party, those who called my mother their sister have now have left me and met with Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and PML-N leaders to conspire against the PPP.”
He asked his supporters to vote for the ‘arrow’ to ensure the defeat of PML-N, the Mirzas and Arbab Group.
Earlier, Bilawal Bhutto arrived in Golarchi town of Badin in a private helicopter to lead the rally from Golarchi town to Badin to convass for the candidates fielded by his party in the district.
On his arrival, Bilawal was accorded a warm welcome by party supporters and party leaders including the members of Sindh cabinet and large number of law makers.
In Badin tough contests are expected on 68 UCs, nine towns committees and two municipal committees, including Badin and Matli town between candidates of PPP and Dr Mirza and his allies including PML-F, PML-N, JUI-F and Arbab Group headed by former chief minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim.
Dr Mirza talking to the local media had welcomed Bilawal, saying his fight was with Asif Ali Zardari.
Strict security measures have been made in Badin and other towns of the district including Tando Bago, Pangrio, Golarchi and other towns due to the tense political situation.
The second phase of local government elections is scheduled for Nov 19 in 12 districts of Punjab and 15 districts of Sindh.
The districts of Sindh are: Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Tando Mohammad Khan, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushehro Feroze, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Tharparkar.