LAHORE (Daily Point) — The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has formally lodged a complaint with Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, alleging that their supporters are facing arrests by the police in Lahore’s NA-127 constituency, the electoral battleground for party chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in the upcoming February 8 elections.
In a letter penned by PPP Secretary General Taj Haider, the party asserted that the apprehension of PPP supporters by Punjab Police has created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation in the constituency.
The communication highlighted the arrests of Shahbaz and Shahzad, workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who allegedly joined the PPP. Additionally, former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) counselor Khalida Parveen was reportedly detained for supporting the PPP. The letter mentioned that upon contacting the police, it was revealed that Parveen was arrested in connection with a case filed against her four months ago.
Taj Haider revealed that PPP’s Zulfiqar Badar sought intervention from higher authorities for the release of the party activists, but the efforts were unsuccessful. He expressed concern that if not curtailed, these authoritarian measures could escalate.
The PPP leader urged the Chief Election Commissioner to intervene, secure the release of the party supporters, and take appropriate action against those responsible for the alleged arrests.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, nominated as the PPP’s candidate for the prime ministerial position, is vying for victory in NA-127 Lahore, where he faces competition from PML-N leader Shaista Pervaiz Malik and a PTI-backed candidate.
