LAHORE: Calls for self-accountability are rising within the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) after its poor performance in Lahore, particularly in the NA-127, during the Feb 8 polls, with a local leader demanding a probe into the causes of this defeat.

At the recent meeting of the party’s central executive committee (CEC) held in Islamabad, PPP Lahore division president Chaudhry Aslam Gill tendered his resignation, because of failure of the party in the polls in the Punjab capital to “pave way for the new local leadership”, said a source privy to the development.

The source said that Mr Gill also demanded investigation into the ‘inaction’ of various local party leaders during the election campaign and on the polling day.

Gill suggested that a committee comprising some members of the CEC should thoroughly probe into the party’s failure in the Lahore election and fix responsibility for it, the source said.

Mr Gill said that ‘questionable role’ of some local leaders ruined the hopes of the party workers for revival of the PPP in the Punjab capital, the source added.

Mr Gill neither confirmed nor denied the report, saying he was not authorised to share internal issues of the party with the media without the permission of the high command.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2024