Bureau Report

Quetta: The political leaders from Balochistan expected to join the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Sources divulged on Wednesday that former health minister Mir Naseebullah Marri will join the PPP.

Former senator Nusrat Shaheen and former provincial minister Sarfraz Domki will also join the PPP.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Faisal Karim Kundi said on Wednesday that the talks are vital to resolving the country’s issues.

Addressing a press conference in Quetta, Kundi took a swipe at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, saying, ‘‘The PTI chief ignored Quetta.’’

He expressed his thoughts about the upcoming elections and said, ‘‘It will be clear on February 8 which party is the choice of the people.’’

Kundi credited former president Asif Ali Zardari, saying, ‘‘Zardari has given the gift to people in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

PPP senior leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will be the party’s candidate for the prime minister slot.

In an interview with Samaa TV, Ashraf said: “Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is a mature leader. Asif Ali Zardari wants to see Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as the country’s premier.”Speaking about the level playing field, Ashraf said: “If Bilawal feels there is no level playing field, then the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should do something.”

He said, “The talks about Nawaz Sharif being the favourite seem to be part of the electoral campaign.” “The ideal party should have a combination of both youth and seasoned politicians,” Ashraf said.

PPP leader Syed Nasir Hussain Shah asserted on Wednesday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) government was an ”inept”.

Speaking to media in Quetta, Shah recalled the tenure of the coalition government. ‘‘The coalition government had tried to drag the country out of the quagmire following the departure of the PTI-led government,’’ he said.

He was of the view that the coalition government had saved the country.

Shah praised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. ‘’Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had visited the foreign countries as the foreign minister, which helped foster the country’s relations with the friendly countries,’’ he stated.