Local bodies elections: PPP to field candidates across all UCs of Lahore: Faisal

LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party Lahore President Faisal Mir has announced that the party will field candidates across all union councils of Lahore in the upcoming local bodies elections.

He also revealed plans for a major public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on July 25 to mark the birthday of President Asif Ali Zardari.

Mir made these announcements while addressing a press conference at Gulzar House in Lahore here on Sunday, flanked by Senator Ammar Ahmed Khan, PPP Lahore General Secretary Dr. Ayesha Shaukat, and PPP Lahore Vice President Azain Gulzar. Sehar Gulzar, daughter of Senator Gulzar Ahmed Khan, was also present on the occasion.

Mir confirmed that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would address the July 25 gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan. He also introduced three new party candidates alongside Cantonment Town President Hassan Bhatti during the press conference.

The event was hosted by the Gulzar family, whose decision to reopen their doors to the party was widely regarded as a significant development, reflecting growing momentum within the PPP’s Lahore chapter.

Taking a swipe at the ruling PML-N, Mir rejected the party’s claims of transforming Lahore into one of Pakistan’s most developed cities, pointing out that even the areas surrounding the Sharif family’s residences continued to lack basic civic amenities.

Senator Ammar Ahmed Khan, who recently rejoined the PPP, expressed confidence that just as Lahore had once seen Benazir Bhutto become Prime Minister twice, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would one day rise to the same office.

Vice President Azain Gulzar pledged to follow in the footsteps of his late grandfather, Senator Gulzar Ahmed Khan, and dedicate himself fully to strengthening the party’s presence in Lahore.

General Secretary Dr. Ayesha Shaukat described the PPP as a united and close-knit political family, committed to turning both Lahore and Punjab into party strongholds. She added that the PPP would extend its support to all budget proposals that prioritised the welfare of ordinary citizens.

Umar Saleem, President of PP-170 and a noted business leader, assured that the business community would stand firmly behind the PPP in its mission to consolidate its position in Lahore.

The press conference was also attended by Senior Vice President Mian Shahid Abbas, Women Wing President Nargis Khan, Youth Wing President Yasir Bara, and a number of town and zonal presidents.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026