KHAIRPUR: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and former Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah on Sunday urged the state institutions to ensure that the upcoming general election-2018 is held on time. Addressing an Eid-Milan party in Sukkur, Shah stressed on the importance of democratic process in the country and called it ‘necessary’ for welfare of the nation. “Pakistan suffered a divide due to incompetence of democratic governments, whereas the dictators had weakened the country,” he said adding that PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto ended several movements those potentially had detrimental long-term consequences for the interests of the general public due to his exceptional political knowledge, credibility and integrity. Shah further emphasised that due to increased instability, internal upheavals and rising sectarianism ‘small’ countries are also threatening Pakistan, and in this regard the upcoming elections are extremely essential to continue democratic process in the country. Zardari vows ‘a decisive victory’ in elections Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday vowed to hand an ‘exemplary’ defeat to political rivals in the general elections 2018 and to pave the way for peace and prosperity in Pakistan after coming into power. While addressing a ceremony in Nawab Shah, Zardari claimed that PPP has always strived to secure the rights of poverty-stricken masses of the country, and called it ‘party of people’. He encouraged the PPP activists and workers to get prepare for the upcoming general elections. “PPP would secure a decisive victory, and would strengthen Pakistan than ever before,” he said adding that starting from June 17, he has officially initiated party’s election campaign. “Despite Talpur’s efforts, there still needs a lot of work to be done in the region,” he asserted. Zardari pledged to transform Nawab Shah into ‘a model of development’, and would invite political leaders from Lahore to witness development in its true spirit and essence. Published in Daily Times, June 19th 2018.