PPP demands timely elections, level-playing field

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Executive Committee (CEC) has voiced concern over what it called efforts to push the party to the wall, adding that the party should be provided with a level-playing field, The News reported Friday. While the CEC meeting, chaired by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at Bilawal House in Lahore, underlined the delimitation of constituencies must be done if there is a need for them, it demanded that the upcoming general polls be conducted within the stipulated constitutional period. The PPP's CEC further asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce poll dates immediately. During the meeting, concerns were voiced over the ban on development projects in Sindh while they were being inaugurated in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PPP also voiced serious concerns over the grim economic situation in the country and termed elections key to solutions of all the core issues. Bilawal, on the occasion, announced that another sitting of the PPP CEC would take place on Friday (today).

The Pakistan Peoples Party's Central Executive Committee (CEC) has expressed concerns about what it sees as efforts to disadvantage the party. They believe that a fair and level playing field should be provided. This was discussed during a meeting chaired by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Lahore.

During the meeting, the CEC emphasized the importance of conducting the upcoming general elections within the constitutionally specified period. They also urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the election dates promptly.

One major concern raised was the ban on development projects in Sindh while similar projects were inaugurated in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PPP also expressed deep concerns about the challenging economic situation in the country and stressed that elections are vital to addressing these core issues.

Bilawal announced that another CEC meeting would be held soon and directed party leaders to prepare for a mass contact campaign. Chaudhry Manzoor was appointed as the focal person for addressing the needs of the flood-affected population in Punjab.

The CEC meeting was attended by prominent figures such as former President Asif Ali Zardari, former Prime Ministers Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, and other senior leaders. However, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan and Sardar Latif Khan Khosa did not attend the meeting.

Shazia Marri, speaking to the media, reiterated the PPP's desire for early elections to bring the country out of uncertainty, emphasizing that only the ECP can set an election date. She noted that delimitation should be carried out if necessary, expressing hope that the Election Commission would schedule the polls soon. She also emphasized the need for a level playing field for all political parties.

Marri pointed out that President Arif Alvi's letter suggesting a November 6 election date was being reviewed, but legal experts believe that the president cannot set an election date. She expressed concerns about attempts to create confusion around the election date.

Faisal Karim Kundi, briefing the media, mentioned the PPP's reservations about actions taken by the caretaker government, particularly regarding discrimination against development projects in Sindh compared to Punjab and KP.