The top-most leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Thursday promised to spring ‘Jiyala’ surprise in the Feb 8 general elections, claiming that their rivals were nowhere near even understanding the problems facing the people.

The PPP held a major power show in the Balochistan capital to commemorate the party’s 56th foundation day, where party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Co-chairman Asif Zardari and the provincial leaders, including Sanaullah Zehri, Changaiz Jamali and others, delivered fiery speeches.

Addressing the flag-waving supporters at the jam-packed Ayub Stadium on the western outskirts of Quetta, both Bilawal and Zardari described Balochistan as the heart of Pakistan, saying that without it, the country could not progress.

“Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is going to be the youngest prime minister of Pakistan,” Zardari told the crowd, as the stadium resonated with slogans of “Wazeer-e-Azam Bilawal”, while music and party songs reverberated.

Zardari praised Bilawal for representing Pakistan “exceptionally well” during his tenure as the foreign minister in the previous coalition government. “It is time to make Bilawal the young leader of Pakistan, a leader guiding the nation.”

Reciprocating the sentiments of his father, Bilawal told the gathering that only the PPP was serious about the general elections. “With the support of the people, the Peoples Party will spring a huge surprise on Feb 8,” he said. “The next chief minister of Balochistan will also be a Jiyala.”

Bilawal stated that no politician could become a “counterforce” to the PPP. “The only opposition to the PPP is poverty, unemployment, and inflation.”

On a personal note, he said: “I am not a seasonal democrat; I will protect the Constitution, whether we are in the government or in the opposition.” Firing a broadside at the rivals, Bilawal called for an end to the politics of hate, as he accused both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of failing to address the issues facing the country.

Bilawal underscored that it was time to think about politics that revolved around addressing the issues of the people, instead of fuelling hatred and division. “It is time to empower the people so that they can fight harsh economic conditions,” he continued.
“We do not want to target or criticise any specific politician. We stand for politics of tolerance,” he said. He vowed not to waste energies on political opponents, rather fight against poverty, unemployment, and the worst inflation in the country,” he said. The PPP would frame a “People’s Charter of Economy”.

Read PPP wants ‘Bilawal to be next PM’

Both Bilawal and Zardari boasted of various development projects initiated by the last PPP government from 2008 to 2013 for Balochistan, including the Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan, the 18th Amendment to empower provinces and the National Finance Commission Award to enhance provincial share. The former president described Balochistan as the heart of Pakistan.

However, he added, this heart was not seen by Islamabad and the rulers. “Only Peoples Party can see this heart,” he said. “Issues of Pakistan can be fixed if the issue of its heart [Balochistan] is resolved.” He urged the masses to acknowledge the pain and sufferings prevailing in Balochistan and the need for a remedy.

“We have formulae to build Pakistan and strengthen Balochistan,” he said, adding that the PPP had always been committed to serving the people, workers, and farmers. “Everything in Balochistan belongs solely and exclusively to Balochistan, not to anyone else,” the former president declared.

“The land of Balochistan is distinct from the lands of other provinces,” he said. “The PPP has the formula to strengthen Balochistan.” Similar views about Balochistan were expressed by Bilawal in his fiery speech. “Balochistan is a land of brave and proud people with a long history of struggle against dictatorship and in defence of democracy,” he said.

Bilawal underscored that the PPP would fight for the youth and assist them with the scheme of ‘Youth Cards’.
He highlighted that the PPP would focus on vocational and skill training, while assisting the youth with finances for a whole year.

He also talked about the farmers, saying that farmers played the role of the backbone of the economy of Pakistan.
They would be provided with subsidies by introducing ‘Kissan cards’, emphasising that the prosperity of the farmers would contribute to the overall well-being of Pakistan.

Read PPP vows to safeguard Balochistan’s rights

Meanwhile, several PTI, PML-N and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leaders joined the PPP after meeting with Zardari in Quetta on Thursday, PPP Information Secretary Sardar Sarbuland Jogezai said.

Those who joined the PPP included former minister for labour and manpower Sarfaraz Domki, former education minister Naseebullah Mari, Wali Khan Achakzai, Alauddin Kakar, Mir Liaquat Lehri and others, Jogezai added.