Is PPP ditching joint Opp alliance?

The decision by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to skip the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) jalsa in Quetta has left people talking.

Social media is abuzz with speculations about a potential deal between the PPP and the military establishment. People are claiming that the PPP is eyeing a deal and will quit the joint opposition alliance once things are sort out with the powers-that-be.

Some observers see these rumours that are making rounds ahead of the gathering in Quetta an attempt to create rifts among 11 opposition parties who joined hands to oust the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

But analysts have also questioned the role of PPP in past when it made deals with establishment behind other parties’ back. And now the absence of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari from the rally is also seen as the first step towards reconciliation.

But is PPP really thinking of leaving the PDM? Facts state otherwise. Not only the PPP chief is addressing the gathering via videolink, but the rally is also attended by top-tier leadership of the party. This was also confirmed by PPP leader Palwasha Khan.

Chairman #PPP will address #PDM quetta jalsa. All news to the contrary is fake pl

— Palwasha Khan (@PalwashaKhan18) October 20, 2020

However, later in the day, it emerged that the PPP chief would not be able to address the Quetta jalsa due to poor bandwidth in GB region. According to PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, the address might not materialise due to the internet issues.

As Gilgit-Baltistan is set to go to polls on Nov 15, PPP Chairperson Bilawal is in the region for a period of three weeks to run an election campaign.

During the election campaign in Gilgit-Baltistan, Bilawal will address public rallies, corner meetings and press conference at Ganache district, Skardu, Ghizer, Astor, Diamir, Gilgit, Hunza, Nagar and other areas of Gilgit-Baltistan.