Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday said he would contest the 2018 general elections and is confident that he will win.

“I will become the next prime minister of Pakistan,” Bilawal said addressing the party workers in Lahore.

He said he would contest election from his mother slain PPP chairwoman Benazir Bhutto’s seat in Larkana NA-207. He also confirmed that his aunt Faryal Talpur would vacate the seat after December 27, reported a private TV channel.

According to party sources, PPP chairman also confirmed the news. The constituency is now included in Qambar Shahdad Kot District after the division on Larkana. Bilawal also announced to contest election from Larkana but left the decision of time on the party.

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah also confirmed that the chairman would contest from Larkana.

He also announced on the occasion that the slogans of ‘Go Nawaz Go’ will be echoed from Karachi to Peshawar if the government failed to accept his four demands. He said that the National Action Plan did not exist anymore after the Jhang by-election.

Criticising Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal said the premier had failed to fulfill his duties to the country and that he should now consider packing up. Bilawal and his supporters then began to shout “Go Nawaz, Go”.

“Even after serving in the position three times, if he (Nawaz) isn’t ready to do his job, I’ll do it. I’m ready to do it,” the 28-year-old PPP chairman said, adding that he will run on his slain mother’s seat in the 2018 election.

“Politics is jihad for us,” the party chief added. “We will not drag it through the dirt,” he said, claiming that the government offices across all provinces will hoist the PPP’s flag after the 2018 general election.

Bilawal said the government had failed to implement the National Action Plan (NAP) and that it was time for the government to admit its failures.

Meanwhile, the Sindh Culture Day would be celebrated in Lahore on Sunday (today). Bilawal will grace the event with his presence.

“We will share the love with the people of the Punjab and the message of love and peace is traveling from Sindh to the Punjab,” Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Information Maula Bukhsh Chandio said in a statement issued on Saturday.

He said the Sindh Culture Day would not only be observed in Sindh but it will also be marked across Pakistan in a traditional style to bolster culture of Sindh. He said Sindh is the land of peace and Sufis who always preached for peace, tolerance and unity.

The adviser said the Sindh government is committed to boost culture of Sindh by all means. He said Sindh Culture Day is marked every year to revive and bolster the rich culture of Sindh. He added that political, social and religious organisations of Sindh, besides the Sindh government and administrations of various schools, colleges and universities, organise a variety of events, including seminars, debates, folk music programmes, drama and theatrics performances, tableau and literary sittings to mark this annual festivity. Sindhi culture, history and heritage are highlighted at the events. Sindhi media groups also celebrate the day as the Sindh Cultural Day.