Daily Times

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday took the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led federal government to task over plans to privatise government properties and buildings to raise money under the austerity drive.

Addressing polling agents and party workers of NA-200 (Larkana), the only constituency from where he stood victorious in July 25 polls, the PPP scion warned that privatisation of government institutions would lead to devastation. “The PPP will not allow them (government) to succeed in their vested interests,” he said, adding: “What one could expect from the prime minister of the country, who had in his first speech rendered 500 families jobless.”

The statement came days after reports emerged that the federal cabinet in its first meeting had considered several proposals to hand over government properties and buildings to the Privatisation Commission to offer further to investors.

The PPP scion added that he won’t tolerate any conspiracy against the constitution and the country. “The incumbent government is inflicting an irreparable loss to the democratic system of the country because they are crooked opportunists,” he alleged.

Acknowledging the efforts of polling agents and party workers in NA-200, the PPP chairman said party workers were his “eyes” and “ears”. “We will take forward the ideology of party,” he vowed.

“The party is like a family and its history is replete with the sacrifices of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Shaheed Mir Murtaza Bhutto, Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto and other party workers,” he said, adding: “Moving forward with the ideology of the party can help us reach our destination.”

He heaped praise on polling agents of his constituency for working hard during electioneering. “In particular, female polling agents deserve due applause.”

He asked them to support him the way they had supported the PPP predecessors. “I assure you that job opportunities will be created while making best use of resources in Sindh. There are plenty of issues and problems in Sindh and the party will keep representing the masses despite all challenges.”

Senior party leaders, including Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, MPA Suhail Anwar Siyal, PPP Larkana president Abdul Fatah and others were also present.

Published in Daily Times, September 1^st 2018.