Asif Zardari says he was confident that ECP would hold free & fair elections in the country on Feb 8, 2024
KARACHI, Oct 19 (SABAH): Pakistan People’s Party Co-Chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday said he was confident that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would hold free and fair elections in the country on February 8, 2024.
With the date proposed for the general elections just two months away, the PPP has repeatedly bemoaned the lack of a level playing field. During a rally in Peshawar on Saturday, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said his party was accustomed to overcoming unfair political challenges.
“Was there any level playing field in 1988 when IJI was formed against [former prime minister] Benazir Bhutto? But still, Benazir Bhutto won the election and became the first female prime minister of the country,” he had said.
He had also highlighted how the 2002 elections under the military ruler Pervez Musharraf were “snatched away” from the PPP. “Even then, PPP performed well. But some people turned out to be sellouts. Benazir termed them ‘Pakistan People’s Parasites’,” Bilawal had added.
However, in a statement issued on Sunday, Asif Ali Zardari said: “The country is heading towards transparent polls and the PPP is fully prepared for elections.” “The PPP is the only party which is capable of fighting elections in all kinds of environments,” Zardari stated, adding that he was confident the PPP would emerge victorious on Feb 8.
The environment in the country is favourable for elections and polls should be held on time, Zardari said.
“PPP is the only party which has the ability to fight elections in every environment,” Zardari maintained, adding he is certain the party would emerge as the majority winner on February 8.
Separately, US Envoy Donald Blome also met PPP leader Makhdoom Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday. During the meeting, the leaders discussed the political landscape of south Punjab concerning the upcoming polls.