Former president and chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders for the upcoming general elections, where he explicitly directed the leaders not to ally with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for the polls. However, he allowed the local leadership to form alliances with other political parties as deemed appropriate.
While in KP, Zardari stayed at the Governor’s House due to security concerns. He met with KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali and various leaders from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), PPP ticket holders, and workers. Governor Ghulam Ali and Mayor Peshawar Zubair Ali presented traditional gifts to the PPP Parliamentarian president.
PPP’s Election Preparations and Party Dynamics
PPP’s senior leaders in KP echoed Zardari’s stance, ruling out any electoral alliance with PTI. Former MPA Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha confirmed that alliance discussions with PTI were not on the agenda in their online meeting with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The meeting, which also included Faryal Talpur and other prominent leaders, focused on reviewing the credentials of candidates for party tickets. Meanwhile, PPP leader Ziaullah Afridi dismissed rumours of Zardari’s visit being related to internal party differences, clarifying that the visit was for his son’s wedding.
In contrast, Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Salik Hussain denied any seat adjustment with PM-N and emphasized the need for innovative strategies for national change. He also highlighted PML-Q’s readiness to contest elections independently, focusing on strongholds like Gujrat and Bahawalpur and expanding influence in KP and Sindh. Salik Hussain stressed the importance of equal opportunities for all political entities in the upcoming elections and refuted any political undertones in the recent Sharif brothers’ meeting.
