Tag: PPP

  • Social media campaigns for general elections; Hit or miss?

    Social media is heavily flooded with election-related content as the country is heading towards poll in less than two weeks. All the major political parties and even independent candidates have released songs and campaigns on social media to impress the audience with catchy tunes.

    For us, the Haqooq-e-Khalq Party takes the trophy. Ammar Ali Jan’s “Loudspeaker” is riveting and hits all the right chords. “Haqooq-e-Khalq hai awaz muzdooron aur kisanaon ki” ticks the boxes of aims and ambitions needed to be a part of a manifesto.

    Ammar’s social media team is also venturing into using popular songs as they put famous Punjabi song like “Teer te taj” as a background score to appeal the voters of all backgrounds.

    Using the pun of “Tera Mera hai Pyar Amar” is quirky and smart on their part.

    Using Inqilab by Waqas Akram Chaudhary is a win in every possible way.

    Following Ammar Jan’s effort is the PTI, the party without a symbol. Their campaign is screaming creativity as they have got their songs made separately for the symbols allotted to them be it a fork (kaanta) or a radio.

    Saif ur Rehman is a contesting election from NA 235. He incorporated a Bollywood song ‘Kaanta laga’ for his campaign. It is hilarious and attention-grabbing at the same time.

    Khurram Sher Zaman’s dhool from NA-241 incorporates Bollywood’s ‘Mohabbatein’ in a creative way.

    Usman Dar’s mother Rehana Dar is contesting on PTI’s ticket under the symbol of baby cot for which they have twisted Arif Lohar’s party song, “Aa tenon mouj karawan” seamlessly as “Maan tujhe Salam”.

    Former Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi’s wife Qaisera Ilahi is now contesting in his place for which Mazhar Rahi has sung an upbeat song.

    Folk singer Malko’s ‘Nak da Koka’ went viral for his one verse about “Qaidi 804”. This prompted him to sing part two, titled ‘Murshid’, dedicating it to Imran Khan. This went on to create a spree of songs, all dedicated to PTI, acquiring millions of views.

    The popularity of this song influenced PML-N to make a rip-off for their party’s election campaign.

    https://youtu.be/sJGK1aPfmYs?si=kpnrImL1ANlPXIhk

    ‘Umeed se Yakeen Tak’ is slowly growing on the people.

    Another rip-off of Malko’s ‘Chas Bari Aye Ae’ is groovy all thanks to the original song.

    https://youtu.be/xiqx-wjnBaE?si=8N2-IjE_UnnkhMc-

    N-League deserves the credit of having an integrated campaign as a YouTube channel is dedicated to songs but most are just rip-offs.

    Pakistan People’s Party has recently released a newer version of their widely popular ‘Utho Utho’.

    ‘Chuno Nayi Soch Ko’ has all there needs to be to appeal to gen-z audience and all the elements of a catchy election campaign.

    PPP is not using this song in jalsas anymore but we found a hidden gem with the name of ‘Jiyalay Teer Chala’ on YouTube. It is not just uber-cool but has all the potential for mass appeal.

    In a nutshell, the campaigns are in full swing and all the parties are trying their best to have more reach but our observation says that the one that explores more mediums and does not hesitate in experimenting manages to gather more ears and eyeballs.

  • Candidates withdraw in favour of Nawaz Sharif; PPP

    Candidates withdraw in favour of Nawaz Sharif; PPP

    Independent candidate Qazi Tayyab Shahzad on Thursday decided to withdraw from NA-15 Mansehra in favour of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, SAMMA has reported.

    Shahzad had announced that he will support the former prime minister in the upcoming general elections. According to the details, Tayyab Shahzad’s nomination papers were accepted, but he had decided not to take part in the elections.

    The returning officer had issued a notification of Shehzad’s withdrawal from NA-15.

    On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Saifullah Abro called on Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and expressed his trust in his leadership, announcing to withdraw from the election race in NA-194 constituency and promised to support the candidate of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

    On the other hand, PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif promised to give youth loans after coming into power.

    Addressing the public gathering in Mandi Bahauddin on Thursday, the former prime minister took a dig at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying, ‘’The long march was staged against Nawaz Sharif during his tenure as the premier. The Chinese president’s tour was delayed due to the PTI’s protests.’’

    ‘’Who were those people who were indulging in such tactics? The protests in Islamabad were staged, and foul language was embraced. The conspiracy against Nawaz Sharif was started after 2013,’’ Shehbaz Sharif maintained.

  • Bilawal shows the ‘reality’ of NA 127

    Bilawal shows the ‘reality’ of NA 127

    In an interesting interaction on X (former Twitter), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari shared videos highlighting the ‘reality’ of NA 127, an important constituency in Lahore.

    Elections are around the corner and candidates from different constituencies are using social media platforms to convince voters to vote for them. Journalist and anchor person Mansoor Ali Khan took to X and shared an image of a banner.

    “Banners displayed in Bilawal’s constituency,” the tweet said while banner stated, “Karachi nahi Lahore Chahiye”.

    Bilawal quote tweeted this with two videos stating, “Meanwhile the ground reality of Lahore NA127.”

    The videos showed debris and garbage in the constituency along with sewerage issues.

    https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari/status/1750825107382300907?s=20
  • After PTI, Bilawal wants PML-N workers to vote for PPP

    After PTI, Bilawal wants PML-N workers to vote for PPP

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporters to vote for his party; earlier he had requested the same from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) voters.

    As the elections approach, Bilawal is branding himself as a leader willing to bridge the gap between political actors, vowing to ensure that no person becomes a “political prisoner” during his government if he is voted into power, and putting an end to the “old ways” of political revenge.

    The former foreign minister asked the crowds at a political rally in Gujrat to stamp on the ‘arrow’ if they want to see “real democracy” in Pakistan.

    “Today the lion is sucking people’s blood. Those who said that the PPP is no match for them are now obsessed with the PPP,” Bilawal Bhutto said while taking a jibe at his political opponents.

    He asserted that “the lion is not coming out to prey” for a reason.

    The PPP chairman also criticised PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif for his fourth attempt to become prime minister.

    Bilawal had also said in a recent interview with Reuters that Nawaz Sharif wants to come into power again via a backdoor.

  • Nearly 18,000 election candidates set to participate in February 8 polls: ECP

    Nearly 18,000 election candidates set to participate in February 8 polls: ECP

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has confirmed that 18,000 candidates are going to contest for national and provincial assembly seats in the upcoming general elections set to take place on February 8.

    ECP released its final list of candidates on Sunday.

    According to the ECP, 11,785 candidates will take part as independent candidates in the polls, and 6,031 will compete under the banner of their respective political parties.

    On the other hand, some well-known politicians, including founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, and Asfandyar Wali, are out of the race for multiple reasons.

    After having been denied their preferred election symbol after its intra-party elections were found to be contrary to its own constitution and relevant laws, PTI has fielded its candidates as independents, and each one of them has been allotted a different symbol.

    On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is contesting the elections from NA-15, Mansehra, and NA-130. The former prime minister and Nawaz’s brother, Shehbaz Sharif, is taking part in polls from NA-123, Kasur, and NA-132, Lahore.

  • Bilawal wants PTI supporters to vote PPP in upcoming elections

    Bilawal wants PTI supporters to vote PPP in upcoming elections

    The Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, urged supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday to vote for his party as the competition in the upcoming elections is between two parties symbolised by “the lion and the arrow”.

    While the PTI has lost its election symbol “bat,” the PPP has secured its longtime symbol of an arrow. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also managed to secure its electoral symbol of a tiger.

    “I am speaking to PTI supporters: We kept on telling Khan sahib to do politics; abusing rivals and putting them and their sisters in jail is not politics,” Bilawal said while addressing a party power show in Lahore.

    Bilawal also said that he is aware of the pain that PTI workers are going through. “I respect political workers […] I’ve been through this and I do not want anyone to go through such testing times”, he stressed.

    “I appeal to you [PTI supporters], in the battle between ‘lion and arrow’, support me. I will bury revenge politics,” Bilawal vowed, reminding people that when his party’s prime ministers took office, they released “political prisoners”.

    Bilawal also stressed that the way of politics should change now and that all forces need to work together.

  • ECP takes notice of attack on candidate’s election office in Lahore

    ECP takes notice of attack on candidate’s election office in Lahore

    Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja took notice of an attack on the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidate’s election office in Lahore’s Sattoo Katla area.

    On Friday morning, the Lahore office of Manzar Abbas Khokhar, the candidate from the PPP, was targeted in an attack involving a Molotov cocktail (petrol bomb).

    “The banners on the gate were burned after catching fire from the petrol bombs while the attackers stole the chairs and other things,” added PPP’s spokesperson.

    He added that Khokhar’s son filed an application at the Township Police Station. The police said that they would take legal action against the attackers after investigating the matter.

    At the same time, the ECP’s spokesperson stated that they have received instructions to file a First Information Report (FIR) following a complaint lodged by the PPP.

    PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the attack, saying that targeting the election office of the candidate was “open terrorism.”

  • PTI starting election campaign on January 20

    PTI starting election campaign on January 20

    Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, confirmed that the party is going to start its election campaign on January 20 (Saturday).

    Other major political parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), have already started their countrywide election campaigns.

    PTI came into power and formed a federal government in 2018 but was ousted in April 2022 via a no-confidence move.

    The founder of PTI, Imran Khan, was imprisoned in May last year, and he is currently in Adiala jail. PTI’s electoral symbol of a cricket bat was taken away this month, a big setback for the party.

    “The PTI will begin its full-fledged election campaign on Saturday. […] workers should bear hardships till then and await victory on February 8. You are advised to focus on the election campaign,” Gohar said on Thursday while engaging with reporters in Rawalpindi.

    Barrister Gohar Khan also said that PTI has not decided on all candidates for the National Assembly (NA). He confirmed that all candidates will be finalised by Friday night, and the party will issue the list of all candidates tomorrow.

  • ‘Anybody but Dar’; Bilawal on next finance minister

    ‘Anybody but Dar’; Bilawal on next finance minister

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told in Absa Komal of Dawn News in an interview, “I think the whole nation has a unanimous consensus that anybody but (Ishaq) Dar (should be the finance minister).”

    The former Foreign Minister also criticised his political rivals and said that the Sharifs are vengeful and not capable of dealing with the economic crisis.

    “They [PML-N leaders] aren’t the one to forgive. They harbour animosity, seek revenge, and balance scores at the right time. They only know the politics of revenge. This is their history.” He singled out Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif for changing the then finance minister Miftah Ismail during the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government.

    The PPP chairman predicted that independent candidates will play a vital role in the upcoming polls set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    “A huge number of independent candidates are contesting elections this year. Not only PTI leaders, but even those who are electable and have a political history, or those who failed to get tickets from PTI or PML-N, are contesting.”

  • Sindh High Court allows Zulfiqar Mirza, Fahmida Mirza to contest elections

    Sindh High Court allows Zulfiqar Mirza, Fahmida Mirza to contest elections

    The Sindh High Court has on Thursday allowed former interior minister Zulfiqar Mirza and his wife, former Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Fahmida Mirza to contest the general elections.

    The Court heard the constitutional petitions filed against the rejection of the couple’s nomination papers.

    Fahmida Mirza and Zulfiqar Mirza submitted nomination papers from National Assembly Constituency NA 223, while Zulfiqar Mirza also submitted papers from PS 70, 71, and 72.

    Both nomination papers were rejected by the returning officers, and an election tribunal accused them of being bank defaulters.

    However, the Sindh High Court approved the constitutional petitions of both candidates and allowed them to contest the elections.