A gross misunderstanding of the Sindhi political landscape is denying that it is PPP’s stronghold. The people of Sindh voted for PPP in 2018 for several reasons; but first one must analyze the alternatives- the GDA. The PPP in Sindh is often presented as a party of feudals that https://twitter.com/cyalm/status/1283604487647760384

relies on client-patron networks solely to elect the feudals on there tickets. It cannot be denied that many elected on PPP tickets are large landowners and from the landed elite, however, is that truly limited to PPP or Sindh? In truth, you have your fair share of feudals

elected and re-elected many times over based on there feudal, pir-mureed votes everywhere . Why did Sindhis not vote for GDA, well it doesn’t take much to understand why. Just look at there candidates, yes they were also largely feudals but ask the people of Sindh what type of

Feudals were on the GDA ballot. Many are known to have private prisons, they abduct peasants as ransom for loan repayments, they offer there peasants loans on impossible terms, they support jirgas and using force & state machinery to maintain there influence.

Feudals in PPP are still part of a political party that has national prominence and are answerable to a party leadership that is pluralistic and liberal. The media and party workers themselves would hold feudals accountable if they behaved like the men in the GDA. Secondly,

the media fails to recognize that the people of Sindh have already tried and tested the politicians of the GDA. Ask a Sindhi about CM Ghulam Arbab Rahim and just see the general reaction. The reason why the PPP has ever survived is not because of the army or any deal ever.

It is firstly an ideological party, the workers and supporters of PPP place themselves at the centre of a struggle for a prosperous, progressive, and democratic Pakistan that has seen them fight the establishment since inception, that has only strengthened with time as the Bhutto

Family and countless workers have given there lives in this struggle. In the arc of history, PPP despite all its criticisms has always redeemed itself. The PPP govt has worked hard behind the scenes in transforming Sindh, engaging with the people, giving tickets to locals,

expanding alliances, some genuine development work has happened from NICVDs to Thar Coal Power Plants to Roads and Water Filtration Plants. The PPP has not been reduced to Sindh, it has been caged into Sindh. In 2013, the party could not rally due to security concerns.

Even in 2018, the PPP had serious hurdles campaigning outside Sindh. Many recounts in Punjab were stopped despite them being in the margin and would likely have resulted in the PPP candidates winning in Punjab in 2018 eg. Faisal Saleh Hayat in Jhang, Gilani in Multan. We saw in

recounts that Raja Parvez Ashraf won. Faryal Talpur Sahiba is demonized by the media for being the sister of AAZ but she is a political genius as well. I guess it runs in the family, tickets were allotted very strategically & she worked very hard visiting regions, interviews etc

The People of Sindh are cultured and rightfully have a strong sense of identity as the land of Shah Bhittai, Lal Shahbaz Qalander. Why has the PMLN and PTI or anyone else never been able to make in roads into Sindh? The people can see that they are not respected by these

parties, just donning an ajrak, Sindhi toppi and coming before elections to speak against PPP and often at times pretend to care about the legacy of SMBB & SZAB will get votes is fools thinking. Many even within the ranks of these parties are often frustrated and angry.

Lastly, the PMLN can blame there decline perhaps a bit of destiny, a bit on the army and a bit of there own failings. The Panama case against the Sharifs was not a fabricated case at the end of the day. There legal team dug a hole then a ditch and then a grave. Submitting forged

documents, the legal counsel of Akram Sheikh was not the best choice and even switching legal teams was not advised. The PPP has been victimized as long as one can remember and has an army of lawyers within it’s ranks from Aitzaz Ahsan, Raza Rabbani, Farooq Naek, Nayyer Bukhari

, the list is long as it is illustrious. The Sharifs actually fear being arrested. Unlike the PPP where everyone from AAZ to Yousaf R. Gilani to Naveed Qamar has spent there share of time in jail. What’s the worst they can do right? Disqualify you? Jail you? PPP has seen it all.

If PMLN poses a greater threat to the establishment and have greater stakes than the PPP than they should be fighting harder. In time’s like these one can only fight selected battles but the PMLN’s base feels abandoned and even there leaders look towards PPP for guidance.