LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Lahore President Faisal Mir announced on Sunday that the party will organize a major public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on July 25 to celebrate the birthday of President Asif Ali Zardari. He also unveiled plans to contest the upcoming local government elections across all union councils of Lahore.
Press Conference Details
Addressing a press conference at Gulzar House in Lahore, Mir stated that the party is expanding its organizational and electoral footprint in the provincial capital. He was flanked by former senator Ammar Ahmed Khan, son of veteran PPP leader former Senator Gulzar Ahmed Khan, and welcomed Ammar Ahmed Khan and his family back into the PPP fold. PPP Lahore General Secretary Dr Ayesha Shaukat, Lahore Vice President Azain Gulzar, and Sehar Gulzar, daughter of Senator Gulzar Ahmed Khan, were also present.
Rally Plans and Challenges
Mir claimed that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would address the gathering on July 25 at Minar-e-Pakistan. When asked about potential restrictions on holding rallies at the venue, he asserted that the party would proceed regardless, stating: "We will hold a rally come what may."
Criticism of PML-N
Taking a swipe at the ruling PML-N, Mir rejected its claims of transforming Lahore into one of the country's most developed cities, arguing that even areas surrounding the residences of the Sharif family lacked basic civic facilities. He further said the PPP, through its growing popularity in Punjab, would create the political leverage required by the party's central leadership to challenge its main rival in the province.
Comments on Maryam Nawaz
Responding to a question about Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Mir remarked sarcastically that he had been restrained by his party from commenting on her, adding that claims of development were based on mere "window dressing." He also said the PML-N was a political product of a military dictator and argued that its style of governance continued to reflect those origins.
