Enraged residents pelt stones at Bilawal's motorcade

Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto's motorcade came under attack by stone-pelting protesters in Bihar Colony, an area in the NA-246 Lyari that has been considered PPP's stronghold in Karachi. The protest and stoning reflected changed mood of the once loyal Lyari towards the party of Bhuttos, now led by Asif Zardari, which has remained in power in Sindh province for last 10 years.
Intra-PPP differences surfaced on fielding PPP contenders in the election from Lyari constituency. The PPP's former Member National Assembly (MNA) Shahjahan Baloch and union council chairman Habib Hassan had announced to contest on provincial assembly seats from the area.
A former PPP leader Habib Jan Baloch, who was also a close associate of former gangsters' leader Uzair Jan Baloch, had also announced to contest polls against Bilawal from NA-246. According to sources, those who pelted stone at Bilawal Bhutto's motorcade hailed from Kachhi community that had been staunch supporter of PPP. When they were made target by gangsters in the area and PPP failed to rescue them, the community revolted against the party and mustered support from MQM-P against gangsters, said a resident in the area.
On Sunday, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari formally began his election campaign in Lyari. He visited several places in his constituency and remained connected with the party workers and supporters. Bilawal was accorded warm welcome by excited crowds everywhere he went.
He also visited Memon Society Chowk, Gharib Shah Road and Ghanchi Para and later returned to the place where estranged workers shouted slogans against the party and also pelted stones.
Bilawal spoke to supporters, vowing he would not be deterred by violent elements who were trying to scare the PPP workers. "I am the son of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto who was one of the bravest souls in Pakistan," he said, asserting that Lyari is in his blood and he would go to every nook and corner of the country with his party manifesto. He urged supporters to defeat these violent elements and not to give in to them. He said those thinking Bilawal could be frightened by stoning are wrong because he represents martyrs and would lead their mission to serve the masses.
He said this is his first election and he would fulfill all promises. He said giving rights to people of Lyari and the entire country is his mission. He said PPP's would-be government would provide potable water to Lyari and for this purpose if water is not available from available sources, seawater would be treated and sweetened for people of Lyari. He said Lyariites always supported his mother they would also support him. He applauded the sacrifices of Lyari for the peace and democracy in the country. He said those who thinking that conspiracies could threaten PPP and Lyari should know the history that they had never been afraid of hangings and martyrdoms. He said only the PPP has people-friendly manifesto. He said PPP would introduce a ministry at federal level which would create jobs for the masses. Condemnations: Bilawal Bhutto's spokesman said, unfortunately, a handful of people and an episode designed expressly to disrupt his visit took place when party workers were attacked by around 15-20 people brandishing sticks and pelting stones.
"However, the onus of protecting the candidate and ensuring that peace prevails falls upon the caretaker setup. They failed in their responsibility to do so," Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, said.
"The LEAs present there refused to act and stood as mere bystanders while stone pelting continued," the spokesman claimed. He also accused the media of misreporting the incident as a protest against the PPP. He said they believe it was a deliberate attempt to create an atmosphere of fear impeding the peaceful election. He said PPP workers showed immense restraint despite great provocation. He said forces of violence and political parties that thrive on conflict tried their best to deter us but failed spectacularly. He was "shocked at total media blackout of PPP chairman's campaign trail following the unfortunate incident in Lyari." Meanwhile, JI and MQM-Haqiqi chief Afaq Ahmed have also condemned attack on Bilawal's convoy and called for restraint in politics.