Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Natasha Daultana has declared that President Asif Ali Zardari will not only complete his current term but will be re-elected as head of state in 2029. In an exclusive interview with The Nation at her residence, Daultana dismissed speculation about any change in the presidency as “baseless rumours” and said President Zardari “symbolises unity.”
PPP's Future Leadership Plans
“President Zardari will be re-elected and continue as the President when his current term ends. (PPP chief) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be the Prime Minister. The next government will be completely led by the PPP,” she maintained. Daultana paired the remarks with confidence in the PPP’s future electoral trajectory, saying the party was positioning itself for expanded influence across provinces and a stronger role in national government formation.
Responding to concerns over repeated leadership roles within the same political family, Daultana rejected the notion of dynastic promotion. The PPP lawmaker argued that leadership positions, including the office of PM, were determined through public mandate and parliamentary support. “The prime minister comes through votes. It is the public mandate and the mandate of the House that decides,” she said.
Governance and Political Stability
She added that governance improves when top state offices operate in alignment, ensuring smoother policy execution and better achievement of national goals. Discussing PPP’s political strategy and its relationship with the Pakistan Muslim League-(Nawaz), Daultana said both parties shared a long history of engagement and democratic cooperation. She said the PPP remained committed to democratic continuity and was open to alliances where necessary in the broader national interest. “We look at the bigger picture. Pakistan comes first,” she said, adding political stability must take precedence over partisan considerations.
PPP's Provincial Strategy
Daultana, who is the party’s South Punjab General Secretary, said the PPP was preparing to play a more assertive role in Punjab politics, pointing to improved electoral performance and increased seat share in recent contests. She said the party acknowledges gaps in its provincial outreach but was actively working to strengthen its position, particularly in South Punjab and the Potohar region. She also highlighted PPP’s presence in Sindh and Balochistan and expressed optimism about future political gains in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. “With time, you will see further progress,” she said.
Engagement with MQM and Economic Vision
On the possibility of renewed engagement with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Daultana reaffirmed PPP’s commitment to dialogue and reconciliation. She said political disputes should be resolved through negotiation rather than confrontation, stressing that internal conflict ultimately harms the public. She noted that MQM, as part of the federal setup, currently holds ministries and should focus on delivering public service. “This is a good opportunity for them to prove themselves,” she said.
Turning to the economy, Daultana stressed that political stability was essential for sustainable growth, warning that instability discourages investment and weakens economic performance. She called for long-term national planning beyond electoral cycles, proposing 10-year, 20-year and 50-year frameworks that remain consistent across governments. She also urged the creation of a cross-party mechanism to ensure policy continuity, particularly on debt reduction. “We need a joint committee of all political parties to endorse a long-term economic plan,” she said, adding that reducing Pakistan’s debt burden must be the country’s top priority. She warned that repeated policy shifts with changing governments were undermining economic stability and called for a unified national economic strategy.
