Former prime minister and Leader of Opposition in Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Sunday said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would start mobilis
ation campaign of party workers in South Punjab from September 3.
Talking to media persons at his residence, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that the schedule of t
he party chairman has been confirmed which was earlier postponed due to certain reasons. He said that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would reach Multan on September 3 and would leave for Rahim Yar Khan on September 7, and then for Sindh on September 9. He said that during his visit of South Punjab, t
he party chairman would meet different people and party workers to mobilize them.
The former prime minister said that PPP was regaining support not only in South Punjab but also across the country due to its public-friendly ideology. He said that t
he party leadership rendered sacrifices for the country. He said that Shaheed Zulifqar Ali Bhutto given the constitution to the country in 1973 which was accepted by all political parties.
He said that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto signed a charter of democracy for strengthening democracy in the country.
He said that Pakistan People’s Party had passed 104 amendments in the constitution during its tenure in 2008 and implemented the constitution 1973 in its real form.
He said that political stability was must for economic stability in the country adding that there was not even a signal political prisoner during his tenure as prime minister. He urged the government to fulfill its pledge regarding the establishment of South Punjab as a separate province. He said that Kashmir was an essential part of Pakistan a
nd added that PPP stands by the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).
He said that Modi’s government could not defeat the struggle for the independence of Kashmiris through torture. He lauded the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people for their struggle of self-determin
ation and said that the people of IIOJ&K would get their independence soon.
To a question, Mr Gilani said that the Pakis
tan Democratic Moment (PDM) was started after consensus among all opposition parties adding that the Pakistan People’s Party was not in favor of resign
ation from t
he parliament.
He said that the decision of rejoining PDM would be made by the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of t
he party not by any individual.
Responding to another question about the ongoing situ
ation of Afghanistan, he said that 3.5 million Afghan refugees were living in Pakistan since the Soviets atta
cked Afghanistan in 1979 adding that United States (US) and other countries seemed to have forgotten it. Gilani went on to say that like others, PPP was also in favor of sustainable peace in Afghanistan adding that t
he party was monitoring the situ
ation and also the statements of the Talibans.
He maintained that all countries should develop a consensus on the Afghan issue to ensure peace in the region. He also spoke about the protection of basic rights, women educ
ation and minorities’ rights there.
Gilani further stated that he demanded a joint session in the senate to discuss the ongoing situ
ation in Afghanistan. He also lauded the government for successful evacu
ation oper
ation in Afghanistan which was also being acknowledged by the world. He said that Pakistan People’s Party was regaining public support and various people were ready to join PPP.