Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari has expressed optimism about the upcoming general elections, stating that the country is heading towards free, fair, and transparent polls.
Zardari conveyed confidence in the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) ability to conduct the elections, asserting that the PPP is fully prepared to contest.
Asif Zardari affirmed the PPP’s capability to participate in elections under various conditions and confidently predicted that the party would emerge as the majority party on February 8. He emphasized the current favorable environment for elections and reiterated the importance of holding them on schedule.
Amidst the political landscape, tensions have risen between the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), former allies in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition government. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has openly criticized PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in public gatherings and press conferences.
In response, PML-N senior leader Rana Sanaullah announced that the party is gearing up for an energetic electoral campaign in Punjab. Sanaullah stated that the PML-N has multiple candidates in each constituency and anticipates contesting elections with a large number of workers and leaders.
He projected that the PML-N would secure up to 125 seats in Punjab, expressing confidence in the party’s electoral prospects. The parliamentary board’s meeting, chaired by Nawaz Sharif, is scheduled to commence next week to further strategize for the upcoming elections.
US Imposes Entry Ban On West Bank Extremists Attacking Palestinians
Meanwhile, the United States has declared its intention to impose entry bans on Jewish extremist settlers involved in attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, particularly since Israel initiated hostilities in Gaza.
In an opinion piece published in the Washington Post, President Joe Biden conveyed his strong message to Israel’s leaders, emphasizing the imperative to halt extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and to hold those responsible accountable.
