As the country's political temperature soars with general elections just a few days away, politicians have started directing their ire towards one another including Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari whose speeches target rivals from all political parties, particularly those from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
As the scion of the Bhutto family targets his political rivals during his election rallies, PML-N leaders Uzma Bukhari and Marriyum Aurangzeb respond to the 35-year-old on behalf of their party.
A day earlier, Bilawal took a fresh jibe at PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, saying the latter would harm the country via his "habitual revenge politics" if he came to power again.
"Mian sahib is habitual of [taking] revenge. He would take revenge which no one can think of if he becomes the [country's] prime minister for the fourth time," Bilawal addressing a political rally in Chiniot.
Bukhari said a false perception is being built against PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif regarding political vengeance.
She likened the former foreign minister's actions during his political rallies to those of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
"I can only pray for Bilawal given the speed with which he is following the PTI founder," Bukhari said while speaking during an interview with private news channel.'
The politico said her party has decided not to respond to Bilawal as a policy. She added that the young PPP politician thinks he will get votes by speaking PTI's language. "It is a misunderstanding."
Taking a jibe at Bilawal for criticising development projects in Punjab, the PML-N leader said: "In Sindh, the problems are more, the difficulties and the situation are worse."
She added that the PPP is very fond of "wielding an axe in Punjab".
'Bilawal new to Lahore'
Meanwhile, PML-N Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb also defended her party and its leadership while denouncing Bilawal for his fiery addresses in the run-up to the general polls, slated to take place on February 8.
The politician advised Bilawal to stay civil and talk about his party's performance after he accused her party of not building enough quality healthcare facilities in Punjab.
"He is roaming around Lahore as a newbie, maybe he hasn't seen the [Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute] PKLI. He has not seen the universities, Danish schools."
Aurangzeb questioned Bilawal about what development [projects] is he "bringing to Punjab from Sindh".
Responding to his remarks on the alleged failures of the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement coalition government formed in April 2022, she said: "He was an equal participant in the decision taken by the PDM government. We took joint decisions with all parties in the coalition."
'PML-N losing foothold in Punjab'
To defend her leader in the political ring, PPP politician Palwasha Khan said one party is aspiring to [form] the government for the fourth term.
"They have lost a foothold in the entire Punjab after Bilawal Bhutto announced contesting the election in one constituency," she added.
Palwasha maintained that it is the same Punjab that gave a government to PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Benazir Bhutto.
The PML-N, she added, "looted the province's wealth and took it to England to buy properties".
