The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has nominated its chairman and former foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, as its prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming general elections on Feb. 8 in Pakistan.
The PPP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) met to discuss the party’s election campaign and manifesto, which focuses on youth and women empowerment, employment, health, and education.
Following the meeting late Wednesday, the PPP’s official social media account shared photos and a post announcing the CEC’s endorsement of Zardari, proposed by party president Asif Ali Zardari. “The CEC has endorsed Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as the Prime Ministerial candidate of PPP,” the party stated.
Bilawal, 35, the son of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, will contest from the Lahore (NA-127) constituency, facing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shaista Pervaiz Malik and a PTI-backed candidate.
Prominent PPP leaders, including Secretary General Taj Haider, Syed Khursheed Shah, Rana Farooq Saeed Khan, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Samina Khalid Ghurki, Murad Ali Shah, Chaudhry Aslam Gill, and Ali Badr, attended the meeting.
Speaking to the media, Bilawal critiqued the imposition of PML-N and PTI by Gen Zia and Gen Faiz Hameed, respectively. He emphasized that both parties represent the ruling elite and have failed to address the country’s issues. “The PPP is the only party that always presents its vision and manifesto before polls and prioritizes the people,” said Bilawal, alongside Haider and former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.
Bilawal also addressed terrorism incidents in the country and stressed the need for critical decisions to navigate crises, as detailed in the report.
