The former president asks, “My cases are still pending. Only Mian sahib’s cases have been settled.

• PPP will resolutely maintain its position in Punjab: Zardari.
• According to him, PPP may even win Karachi handily.
• Zardari anticipates party defectors coming back after the election

Co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Asif Ali Zardari, made the assertion on Monday that his party may win more than 80 seats in the National Assembly on February 8, as political parties around the nation endeavour to win over voters in anticipation of the approaching general elections.

Speaking in an interview with a private news station, Zardari claimed that, absent a few obstacles, the party led by Bilawal Bhutto could potentially win in Karachi and take votes from every district in the city.

The former president’s comments coincide with the fact that his son, party Chairman Bilawal, has been actively spearheading the PPP’s nationwide election campaign, with a particular emphasis on Punjab and its capital city, Lahore, which has turned into a flashpoint between Zardari’s party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The former allies are now more at odds with one another verbally as they try to win over voters and solidify their positions ahead of the eagerly anticipated elections.

Regarding the PPP’s election strategy, Zardari reiterated that the party has been and would continue to be focused on Punjab because of its share in the parliament’s upper house, which will allow it to play a significant role in the formation of a government.

“This time we [the party] intend to dig in and stand our ground in Punjab,” Zardari stated.

Launching a new attack on PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, the PPP mainstay stated that he does not believe the public supports the PML-N.

“In my opinion, there is no pro-Nawaz vote,” he declared, projecting that the PPP and PML-N will become the main political forces in the nation.

The former president remarked, “Has it ever occurred that Mian sahib wasn’t ever a ladla [blue-eyed boy]?” in response to the PML-N supremo’s judicial successes.

The comments appear to be a reference to the significant relief that Nawaz was able to obtain in a number of instances, including the Avenfield and Al-Azizia cases and the lifelong disqualification issue.

“When he isn’t a ladla anymore, he [Nawaz] doesn’t stay in power,” the PPP leader jibed at the three-time prime minister.

“My cases continue to linger. The cases of Mian sahib alone have been resolved. Perhaps that’s because of where I live.”

“Mian sahib does not function in that manner. The former president blasted the PML-N leader’s sporadic confrontational and aggressive style of politics, saying, “He’s arrogant.”

PPP leads to the PM house route.
Arguing that the PPP’s vote was a prerequisite for any candidate to become prime minister, Zardari boasted of his party’s standing in the political system.

Referring to the PPP’s role in overthrowing the then-prime minister Khan, he added, “[We] wouldn’t have been able to support the vote of no-confidence [against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Imran Khan-led government] if we hadn’t stayed in the parliament.”

Recalling the coalition under the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) administration led by the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), Zardari disclosed that Bilawal desired to resign as foreign minister.

But he pointed out that Bilawal needed to have the background and exposure of a foreign minister.

The seasoned politician addressed the matter of those who left the PPP to join the PTI, stating that these people would return to the Bilawal-led party following the election.

“People who joined the PTI are eager to return to the PPP.

He stated, “[We] hope that these [friends] would come back into the PPP’s fold after the elections,” and expressed surprise if Latif Khosa wins on February 8.

The politician also discussed other poll-related issues, mainly those with extreme cold and terrorism. He claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is experiencing extreme cold, which typically results in a decrease in terrorist attacks. This will essentially allow voters to cast their ballots on election day.

He forecast that after the elections, there will be less political unrest.