After PTI and PML-N’s massive rallies, PPP has also come out with their first power charged show in the shape of their Quetta jalsa. The Pakistan People’s Party held its rally in Balochistan, the long-neglected province of the country. PPP also managed to draw a large crowd at the Hockey Ground in Quetta. PPP Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made several promises, all in accordance with the needs of the province i.e. peace and development.
Thank you #Quetta for thunderous warm hearted welcome at Hockey ground. #Balochistan is the heart in Pakistan’s federation. #PPP recognises your needs & your importance. Your welfare is our priority.Together we stand for peace and progress in Balochistan. #QuettaMainTeerChalayga pic.twitter.com/injLTU85eW
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) May 4, 2018
Do gey mera saath?
Bano gey meray baazoo?
Do gey TEER ko vote?Amazingly charged Quetta crowds pledging allegiance to @BBhuttoZardari! ???? #QuettaMainTeerChalayga pic.twitter.com/B36DEJ8CXk
— Maleeha Manzoor (@MaleehaManzoor) May 4, 2018
President @AAliZardari had not imposed deprivation on Balochistan yet he offered apology. PPP resolved 70-years-old issue by giving provincial autonomy to Balochistan & other provinces but Imran Khan wants to make Center even more stronger: @BBhuttoZardari #QuettaMainTeerChalayga pic.twitter.com/HlPjXeJx7i
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) May 4, 2018
PML-N wants to undermine 18th amendment and has usurped our rights. It is denying us NFC Award and occupying our resources. It was making joke of our deprivation, backwardness and poverty: @BBhuttoZardari #QuettaMainTeerChalayga pic.twitter.com/3NTA6Pg2sL
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) May 4, 2018
Nawaz Sharif tried to hijack credit of #CPEC and attempted to change its Western Route to deprive benefits to Balochistan. It is sad that CEPC is visible in #Lahore but invisible in #Quetta: @BBhuttoZardari #QuettaMainTeerChalayga pic.twitter.com/56Eeq61xaF
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) May 4, 2018
Other than the usual political comparisons, Bilawal’s visit to Balochistan was quite extracurricular” in a way.
At the Quetta Airport welcomed by the #PeoplesUnity #QuettaMainTeerChalayga pic.twitter.com/etFwTZAIHL
— Nafisa Shah (@ShahNafisa) May 4, 2018
Chairman PPP @BBhuttoZardari have met representatives of #HazaraCommunity & shown sympathy on their killings. Chairman has shown deep grief over killings. #QuettaMainTeerChalayga pic.twitter.com/fpNhLbBgMO
— Javed Nayab Laghari (@JavedNLaghari) May 4, 2018
Love and respect by Hazara community to Chairman PPP @BBhuttoZardari reached Quetta to share their grief and assured them full support. #QuettaMainTeerChalayga pic.twitter.com/VKUsbgAVaB
— Fayaz Chachar (@ChacharFayaz) May 4, 2018
Whether for a photo-op or not. It is still heartening to see a relatively young leader of a major political party engaging with the victims’ families.
The defining feature of the PPP Quetta Jalsa was the dynastic politics as per usual.
Whenever I arrive in #Quetta, I feel the fragrance of the blood on its roads of the innocent victims of terrorism. I am also son of a victim family. Since 70’s, a Bhutto was bathed with blood in every decade: @BBhuttoZardari #QuettaMainTeerChalayga pic.twitter.com/64oXz0RAeN
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) May 4, 2018
Interestingly, Bilawal claims that PPP was subjected to dynastic politics by default. “My grandfather was killed, which forced my mother to enter politics, and she was assassinated, which forced me in,” said the young leader in an interview with the BBC’s Hardtalk. This is a claim worth pondering over. Was dynastic politics enforced? Or were the unfortunate deaths somehow a deciding factor in garnering sympathy votes for PPP?
Social media was also quick to compare the Quetta Jalsa to previous engagements by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto in Balochistan.
I respect Baloch People, they are brave, are beautiful &they are loyal. Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s speech regarding empowerment of Balochistan at Dera Bugti (28/7/1974). Today his grand-son @BBhuttoZardari will address at Quetta.#QuettaMainTeerChalaygahttps://t.co/s31IxBIHwt
— Abdul Majid Kalwar (@Majid_PSF) May 4, 2018
“I came to Balochistan with msg of peace. Coastal highway, Ormara port, gwadar port project, gas, electricity all given by PPP.” Today @BBhuttoZardari is coming to #Quetta, carrying her message of peace. #QuettaMainTeerChalayga@BakhtawarBZ @AseefaBZpic.twitter.com/qJeey3hObp
— Abdul Majid Kalwar (@Majid_PSF) May 4, 2018
Shaheed Bibi visited Quetta in 2007 just before her martyrdom. SMBB presented Concept of Reconciliation to Balochistan & Today @BBhuttoZardari to present Plan of betterment of Balochistan at Quetta. #QuettaMainTeerChalayga pic.twitter.com/E008wvDLX6
— Javed Nayab Laghari (@JavedNLaghari) May 4, 2018
These tweets have created that air of nostalgia, which will certainly help PPP gain a wider voter base. Nevertheless, Bilawal’s rallying points are concrete. At the very least they are diverting attention to a neglected region in Pakistan. Any voice raised against suppression in Balochistan, especially by a mainstream party, is bound to have some ripple effect in creating awareness. So, PPP’s decision might be politically strategic to hold their first rally towards the general elections in Balochistan. Yet, Bilawal’s promises are certainly worth following looking out for and following closely.
