Show stoppers: PTI decries ‘Naseebo Lal democracy’

The DCO’s office denies any hurdles created by the government.

FAISALABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf supporters claimed that a public concert featuring Naseebo Laal and Hans Raj Hans on Sunday was a tactic by the district administration to lure crowds away from their rally at Dhobi Ghaat, the venue of the protest. The PTI had announced the rally two weeks ago to protest against election rigging.

Thoroughfares such as Canal Road, Mall Road and Chenab Road were decorated by PTI banners throughout the weekend, but on Sunday the city came to be coloured by hundreds of posters and billboards about Textile Park, an initiative recently announced by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

“Our banners were taken down overnight by the district government officers,” claimed PTI leader Shahzad Younas Sheikh.

Former PTI Youth Wing vice president, Sheikh said the party’s supporters were on the streets at 4am on Sunday to put up the posters again. PTI members said their posters were removed from Katcheri Bazaar, Allied Morr, Chiniot Bazaar and areas in the vicinity of the motorway.

“The government talks of democracy and democratic attitudes. This is nothing but a ‘Naseebo Lal democracy’ sponsored by the government,” Insaf Students Federation president Farrukh Habib told The Express Tribune, referring to the public concert being held on Sunday at the Bohranwala Ground.

Habib claimed that government vehicles were being used to advertise the concert throughout the weekend.  Colourful banners advertising a free musical night and a laser-light show were put up across the city next to PTI banners.

Atif Khan, a resident of Nishat Colony, dismissed PTI allegations. Khan, although a supporter of the PTI, said the concert could not have prevented staunch supporters from going to the rally. “You simply cannot trade your political views for Naseebo Lal’s concert.”

Habib said hundreds of PTI volunteers were volunteering to ensure security arrangements. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure sufficient security for the rally, but they are creating hurdles instead of facilitating us.”

The district government has denied claims by the PTI. The Faisalabad District Coordination Officer’s Personal Staff Officer Riaz Anjum has maintained that the government has worked with the PTI leadership for security arrangements. He denied that any hurdles were being created by the government.

The DCO’s office had announced that more than 3,000 police officials had been deputed for security for the rally.

PTI officials claimed they expected a crowd of over 50,000 at the Dhobi Ghat rally. Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah criticised the PTI leadership for holding the rally.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, he said the government had been cooperating with the PTI for the rally but questioned the motives for holding such public protests.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2014.