Zardari asks party to prepare for elections

ISLAMABAD-Co-Chairperson of the ruling PPP, President Asif Ali Zardari, has given go ahead to the party leaders to prepare for next general elections, sources said on Thursday. Although sources in the ruling party were averse to concede, some members of the Punjab PPP Parliamentary party who attended the meeting chaired by the Co-Chairperson here the other day admitted that President Asif Ali Zardari had shared plans in this connection. Sources said that Asif Ali Zardari was very clear about the partys future role with clear directives that no effort should be left in gearing up contacts with the party workers. As per the plans, sources said that PPP high command has decided to set up a task force to line up party potential candidates to be awarded party tickets for the future general elections. 'The final approval would be given by the high power Parliamentary Board to be set up by the Co-Chairperson ahead of the next general elections, a party source said while requesting anonymity. Asked what prompted the Co-Chairperson to offer another olive branch to the PML-N leadership, sources indicated that it was part of the political strategy of the party top leadership. 'Since there is enough time to next general elections, party leadership desires to keep the PML-N on board as party partys policy for national reconciliation, sources said, adding, that is why the Co-Chairperson has directed the PPP lawmakers from Punjab to play constructive role in the provincial assembly. According to Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar,the Co-Chairperson told the lawmakers that the party had a long history of fighting dictatorship and democracy had been restored after huge sacrifices. He said the PPP lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly must maintain decorum in the House as it is a symbol of democracy and should not do anything which may undermine its spirit. The Presidents directives came after a month of noisy protests in the Punjab Assembly both by PPP and PML-Q members, often hindering the proceedings and embarrassing the government. Zardari said he was aware of the difficulties faced by the PPP lawmakers in Punjab in respect of their development funds after their ouster from the provincial government. The President said he had already discussed with the Prime Minister to constitute a committee of the party lawmakers to look into their problems and suggest measures for the continuation of their development projects with the help of Federal government, if needed.

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