Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed optimism that the country's next prime minister will not come from "Lahore," the bastion of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
While talking to the media in Karachi, the former foreign minister stated that his party will run in the elections "on its own" and on the basis of its electoral agenda.
"We won't look to anyone else and will rely on the public's support for success in elections," Bilawal stated. He went on to say, "Although anyone can be a candidate for the prime minister, the final decision is that of the people."
Bilawal also called the PPP's victory in Sunday's local government by-elections a "trailer" and stated, "The people proved [by voting] that they are with the PPP."
The words by the PPP leader came as the party scored large in the LB by-elections held across 14 districts of Sindh on Sunday, with Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab winning the union committee's (UC) chairman position from Karachi's Saddar Town area.
Meanwhile, Salman Murad of the PPP, Karachi's deputy mayor, and Saifullah Noor of Maurpur town won the chairman's seat from Malir district and Maurpur town, respectively.
"Even if our [political] opponents unite [against us], they won't be able to defeat the PPP," Bilawal stated in a statement.
"The PPP won yesterday despite not being in government," he said in a statement.
The party chief further predicted that his party would replicate its performance in the LB by-elections in the next general elections.
"It is necessary that PPP form the government in order to introduce people-friendly projects."
"February 8 will be the day of victory for the manifesto of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Shaheed and Benazir Bhutto," he said in a statement.
It is worth noting that, in accordance with the Supreme Court's directives, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) declared last week that general elections will be held on February 8, 2024, putting an end to months of uncertainty surrounding the polls.