LAHORE:
The Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) local chapter has thrown its full support behind renowned poet Habib Jalib’s daughter, Tahira Habib Jalib, for the NA-129 by-election.
Despite the presence of Asif Mahmood Nagra, considered a strong contender for the party ticket, the local chapter is leaning towards new entrant Tahira Habib Jalib, who has been brought into the race by her well-wishers within the party.
Until a few years ago, Tahira was earning her living by running an all-female driving school in Mustafa Town. According to the party, she has now moved to taxi driving.
Party leaders believe awarding her the ticket would reinvigorate the PPP’s old, die-hard workers, who would see the move as a return to the party’s ideological roots.
While they acknowledge that defeat in NA-129 appears to be “a writing on the wall” for the PPP, they argue that with Ms Jalib, the party would at least earn the bragging rights of giving tickets to people from humble backgrounds.
A message issued to the media by the party said politicians and journalists were being asked to support Tahira Habib Jalib’s nomination through a press conference that would be held by the taxi driver herself.
“Tahira Habib Jalib, daughter of renowned revolutionary poet Habib Jalib, is representing the underprivileged class of Pakistan and has applied for a ticket from the PPP for the NA-129 Lahore by-election,” the statement said.
The press conference, held in Lahore on Monday (today), will be attended by Tahira Habib Jalib along with PPP leader Faisal Mir.
During the event, Tahira and Faisal Mir will specifically appeal to thirty politicians, intellectuals and journalists — by name — to endorse her nomination and support her representation of the common people.
Faisal Mir will kick off the election campaign with the slogan: “Support taxi driver Tahira Habib Jalib or support the ruling class politician”.
Faisal Mir, who was returning to Pakistan from America on Sunday, could not be reached for comments.
