Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Monday showed its strength, as a large number of activists of the party gathered at the Lahore Airport to receive the PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, who arrived here for the first time after the formation of coalition government headed by Mian Shahbaz Sharif.
Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, Punjab senior minister Raja Riaz, provincial ministers Tanveerul Islam, Tanvir Ashraf Kaira, Ashraf Sohna and other party leaders received Asif Zardari. The PPP workers who gathered at the airport had to face a bit disappointment when Zardari could not address them mainly due to security concerns. He was taken out of the airport premises through an alternative way.
The PPP workers chanted full-throated slogans of 'Go Musharraf Go', 'Zinda Hai Bibi Zinda Hai', 'Jeeye Bhutto'. The Advisor to Prime Minister Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo told reporters on the occasion that it was not an organised reception, as the party workers on hearing news of their leader's arrival thronged the airport.
He said the PPP had done a great job by regularising the services of all the contract employees in BS 1-15 including those of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). When his attention was drawn that services of such employees in some departments are not being regularised, he said such cases might be brought into his notice for further necessary action.
A large number of women workers of the PPP were also present at the airport. The security agencies had adopted foolproof security arrangements all the way from airport to the Governor's House. A minor scuffle also took place between the PPP workers and security officials when the formers were not allowed entry at the main arrival lounge. However, on the interference of the PPP leaders, the party workers were allowed entry.
Political analysts are attaching importance to the presence of both Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in the provincial metropolis.
Asif had already announced that the PPP will change the system declaring that it was sagacious politics of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, which made President Pervez Musharraf doff his uniform and hold general elections. Asif said it would again be PPP alone to send Pervez Musharraf home but it would be done at the PPP's own choice of time. We want to give a walk-away to Musharraf, he added.
During his stay in Lahore, Asif Ali Zardari would spend busy time, as he would address the party workers, apart from meeting different delegations. He is expected to hold an important meeting with the PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif in which some major decisions are expected, sources told Business Recorder.
According to them, Zardari is also expected to meet a delegation of lawyers besides meeting different political figures. A grand dinner for the PPP workers and leaders is being held at the Governor's House on Monday night for which around 6,000 invitation cards had been issued.
It may be mentioned that the PPP had already announced that party leaders, office-bearers and members would donate blood on June 21 - the birthday of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto - to pay homage to the great leader whose valiant struggle and sacrifice won the nation democracy.
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