Zardari to make new political alliances ahead of general elections

LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has decided to make new political alliances after consultation with party leaders.

After Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s death anniversary on April 4, the party leaders will contact various politicians, making Punjab its base to flex its political muscle, Zardari said on Tuesday.

"A lot needs to be done before the general elections [in 2018], just wait and watch," he said.

The party alliances and restructuring will take shape after verdict of the Supreme Court over the Panama Papers case is announced, which according to reports is expected by Monday.

The PPP for the past few months has been trying to flex its political muscle in Punjab by holding rallies and visiting estranged voters. There were rumours last month that PML-N bigwig Irfanullah Marwat had joined the PPP, a decision which did not go well with the Aseefa and Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari.

Meanwhile Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz which has formed government in Punjab since the late 90s, is feeling the pinch.

On Monday, during a public address, four-time CM Punjab Shehbaz Sharif took aim at the PPP, asking it to come to Punjab after it picked up garbage from streets in Karachi.

“Even developed areas of Karachi like Clifton are strewn with heaps of garbage,” he said, adding that once issues in Karachi have been resolved, they are welcome to come to Punjab.

“Let us know when you have returned the lights to Karachi, let us know when you decide to do away with corruption,” he said, without naming the PPP.