By Our Correspondent
LAHORE – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza has declared that the party will not align with forces that derail democracy and usher in long periods of dictatorship. “The PPP has paid a heavy price for its policy of reconciliation, but we chose to put Pakistan first,” he said.
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He made these remarks while addressing a press conference at the People’s Secretariat in Model Town, accompanied by party leaders including Usman Malik, Chaudhry Aslam Gul, Jamil Manj, Allama Yousaf Awan, Mian Ayub, Aisha Nawaz Chaudhry, and others. A large number of workers were also present.
Murtaza announced that PPP will contest the upcoming by-elections from two National Assembly constituencies in Central Punjab and one provincial seat in Mianwali. “The people are once again turning toward the PPP,” he claimed, adding that four candidates have submitted nomination papers from NA-129 and two from NA-66.
He emphasized that the party will fight the elections on its own, without seeking any external support. “Our nominated candidates will begin their campaigns once the Parliamentary Board announces tickets,” he said.
He also revealed the formation of legal, media, election, and coordination committees to prepare for the elections, stating, “As elections draw near, you’ll see the PPP active on the streets.”
Commenting on PTI, Murtaza criticized their protest strategies. “We’re not in favor of blocking roads or creating unrest. PTI protests only surface on national days or during foreign leaders’ visits—what message are they trying to send?”
On religious pilgrimages, he urged the government to open land routes for Arbaeen pilgrims instead of imposing bans. “Ensuring pilgrims’ safety is the government’s responsibility,” he said.
Murtaza also demanded the government address the climate crisis and its effects on the agricultural sector. “Farmers are not a mafia—they are a vulnerable class. If they don’t get water, their crops dry up; when floods come, they’re submerged. We demand that flood-hit areas be declared disaster zones, and standing crops on thousands of acres be protected.”
He criticized the government’s selective accountability practices, stating, “Stop targeting one community. If there are corrupt bureaucrats, name them, but don’t label the entire bureaucracy as corrupt.”
Addressing intra-party matters, he urged PPP workers to set aside personal differences and prepare for the by-elections. He alleged manipulation by the Election Commission, saying, “In the Sambrial by-election, our 90 votes on Form 45 were reduced to 9 on Form 47.”
Recalling past challenges, Murtaza noted that in 1988, PPP leader Benazir Bhutto had only 17 seats and still stood firm. “You can weaken ideologies, but you can’t wipe them out. PPP has always done issue-based politics and will continue to face challenges politically.”
He concluded by praising Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s leadership, saying, “Bilawal represented Pakistan on international platforms and fought for the country’s case with conviction.”
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