Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday urged party leaders and workers to begin preparations for the upcoming local government elections in Punjab, saying the party intends to contest the polls on the “front foot.”

He was addressing a dinner hosted in honour of PPP leaders at the Governor House, Lahore, attended by MNAs, MPAs, ticket-holders and senior party office-bearers.

Bilawal said the PPP won one seat in the recent by-elections while “one was taken from us,” but added that the focus must now shift to the local government polls.

He questioned why Punjab had still not held its local government elections when other provinces had already completed the process.

The PPP chairman said every political party had the right to participate in politics, but added that “those who speak against state institutions or work against the country” had no such right.

He reiterated that the PTI had “no future” in the current political landscape.

Bilawal said he was in Lahore for a brief visit and would return soon for a longer stay as part of the party’s political engagements.

He is scheduled to address a Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry event on Tuesday and will also meet senior journalists during his visit.