Asif Ali Zardari has once again promised that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will not remain on the sidelines in Punjab. Speaking to party workers during his recent visit to Lahore, the former president said PPP will reclaim its political voice in the province — step by step.
“This is Bhutto’s land too. We’re not giving up on Punjab,” he told workers at a local gathering, stressing the need to reconnect with communities at the ground level.
Zardari’s visit comes at a time when PPP is planning its next political move. Though the party has lost its foothold in Punjab over the past decade, Zardari insisted that public support still exists — “it just needs to be reawakened.”
Groundwork Begins Again
He said the party will be reorganized from scratch, starting at the union council level. New local organizers will be appointed, and efforts are underway to strengthen district chapters ahead of the next elections.
Insiders say Zardari wants the PPP to be ready not just for the next general elections, but also for any local government or by-polls that may come earlier.
Old Glory, New Challenges
In the 1970s and 80s, PPP was the predominant force in Punjab. Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan were once bastions of that support. However, in recent years, support has declined, with voters gravitating towards PML-N and PTI.
Zardari blamed political engineering and weak local leadership for the party’s decline in the province. But he believes the PPP’s message — rooted in public service and working-class politics — still resonates.
“People remember what we stood for. We just need to show them we’re still here,” he said.
Workers Cautiously Hopeful
Long-time PPP workers said they welcome the new energy but want action, not just promises. One worker from Sheikhupura said, “We’ve heard this before. But if Zardari sahib really means it this time — and if we’re given space to work — PPP can still surprise people.”
The real test, they say, is whether local leadership will be trusted with real responsibility — and whether the party can connect with younger voters who have never seen PPP in power.
