LAHORE: A meeting of the Lahore Division Committee was held at the People's Secretariat in Model Town to discuss the upcoming local body elections. The meeting was chaired by Convener and Member of National Assembly Sameena Khalid Gharki. The session was attended by Mian Ayub, Chaudhry Ashraf, Rana Jamil Munj, Faiza Malik, Zahid Zulfiqar, Asif Mehmood Nagra, Chaudhry Atif Rafiq, Amjad Jutt, Nargis Khan, Amir Naseer Butt, Rao Khalid, and Rana Ashar Nasir.

 

In her address, Sameena Khalid Gharki stated that local body elections are different from general elections and that women will participate actively in these elections. She said she would fully respect the opinions of all committee members and that municipal candidates would be selected through mutual consultation. She emphasized that in local body elections, the role of community and local voting is significant. She noted that the Governor of Punjab has signed the bill; however, municipal elections should be held on a party basis. She assured that the party would ensure the provision of campaign materials for municipal candidates and that the Local Government Committee would meet every 15 days.

 

Rana Jamil Munj said that in the current situation, it is necessary to move forward by setting targets. He stated that lists of good municipal candidates should be prepared in collaboration with ticket holders and zonal presidents. Zahid Zulfiqar said that municipal candidates should have influence and social connections in their areas. He suggested that district presidents, ticket holders, and zonal presidents should jointly select municipal candidates.

 

Asif Mehmood Nagra said that strong municipal candidates would be fielded according to party policy. Amjad Jutt said they would try to field a People's Party candidate on every seat. Chaudhry Atif Rafiq emphasized that candidates' backgrounds should be checked during selection and that they would need political and financial support. Faiza Malik said that uniformity should be maintained in the electoral campaigns of municipal candidates.

 

Nargis Khan said that women of the People's Party would participate fully in the local body elections. Mian Ayub proposed that active members of the party's subsidiary organizations in each union council should contest local body elections and emphasized that municipal elections should be held on a party basis. Amir Naseer Butt said that grouping and personal likes and dislikes must be set aside to unite the party.

 

Rao Khalid Ahmad said that local body elections are the fundamental school of politics. He stated that the current government does not want these elections to take place, so the People's Party must show courage. He added that compared to PTI and N-League, there is a need to strengthen the People's Party's social media presence.