Pakistan People’s Party chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will not lead the election campaign but will return to the country very soon, a close aide of President Asif Ali Zardari, the PPP chief’s father, said.
“The election campaign will be led by former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and Yousaf Raza Gilani, along with other senior PPP leaders. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will not lead the campaign but he will return to the country very soon,” the close aide said.
He added the PPP Parliamentarians (PPPP) president Makhdoom Amin Fahim will also address countrywide rallies. The PPPP has been contesting the elections since 2002 on behalf of the PPP. It was formed after then military ruler Pervez Musharraf banned PPP leader Benazir Bhutto from participating in the polls.
Bilawal reportedly developed differences with his father and aunt, Mr Zardari’s sister Faryal Talpur, over awarding of party tickets to candidates for the May 11 polls. President Zardari in on an unofficial visit to Dubai, where Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is currently staying, ostensibly to placate his son.
Presidential spokesman senator Farhatullah Baber said Bilawal had gone to Dubai on a routine visit and denied that he left the country because of security concerns or differences with his father. Mr Baber also did not confirm reports that Bilawal would address public meetings via the phone.