Zardari predicts surprise win for PPP in upcoming polls

• PPP co-chairman says won’t even share ‘heaven’ with Nawaz Sharif

LAHORE: Former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has claimed that his party is going to score a great victory in the next general elections, which may be a surprise to those who have always predicted ‘doom’ for the party.

“One of the surprises for our opponents will be Lahore where the people of the city have finally carved out a major share for the PPP and 2018 general elections will be landmark,” he said, while chairing a meeting of aspirants of national and provincial assembly seats for the upcoming general elections at Bilawal House in Bahria Town on Saturday.

“I will hold five big rallies in Lahore,” he announced.

Holding former prime minister Nawaz Sharif responsible for the breakdown of political courtship with him, Zardari said that he supported Nawaz for the sake of democracy but he became ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ (emperor) soon after coming into power and betrayed the PPP at every forum. He claimed that Nawaz was now seeking a meeting with him, but “I have sent him a message that I am not even ready to share heaven with him”.  He said that he does not know whether the PML-N supreme leader is going to Adiala Jail or somewhere else.

Continuing his tirade against the former prime minister, the PPP co-chairman said that Nawaz does not have democratic thinking. “He [Nawaz] thinks about his power but not the power of the country whenever he is in the government. I do not know whether or not he will remain in the country but I know I will live and die here.”

“Whenever Nawaz Sharif comes to power, he makes the country bankrupt,”  said the former president.

Claiming credit for ousting former military dictator General (r) Pervez Musharraf, Zardari said, “We held talks with Musharraf and sent him abroad.”

The PPP leader urged the party workers to focus on the next general elections, and directed party leaders to work under an integrated strategy.

Those who were present at the meeting included PPP Punjab President Qamar Zaman Kaira, Dr Asim Hussain, Haji Azizur Rehman Chan, Chaudhry Aslam Gill, Israr Butt, Rana Farooq and others.

On the occasion, Qamar Zama Kaira said that the PPP has prepared an initial list of aspirants for provincial and National Assembly seats. He further directed the aspirants to follow the process and apply for PPP ticket through the proper channel.

He too predicted surprise win for the PPP in next general elections. “We are proud of our leaders who are standing with the party in tough circumstances. We will deliver best results even in the tough situation. The party workers are required to keep a high morale.”

It is pertinent to mention here that the PPP was rooted out in the last general elections and even in by-elections. In the NA-120 by-poll in Lahore, PPP candidate Faisal Mir could only secure 1,414 votes against PML-N candidate Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, wife of Nawaz Sharif.