A hearty welcome: PML-N workers in G-B prepare for PM’s visit

Party’s regional president clarifies government employees not engaged in politicking.

GILGIT: The regional president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Hafizur Rehman, on Monday said government employees have no role in the public meeting that is being arranged on the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Gilgit.

“There will be a huge rally that will be made successful by party workers and the public, not government employees,” Rehman said a day before the PM’s first official visit to Gilgit-Baltistan since the 2013 general elections.

Rehman’s comments came a day after regional leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party accused Governor Barjees Tahir of misusing his public office for party affairs.

“There is no question of using the public office for party affairs; there have been more than 30 camps of PML-N organised by the party’s workers in Gilgit alone,” added Rehman.



Rehman said the prime minister will announce mega projects for the region, adding it would be a ‘fate-changer’ for the people.

Party workers have erected banners and portraits of Nawaz Sharif at prominent places in the city to welcome him on Tuesday (today).

Similarly, the administration has launched a cleanliness drive in the city. Run-down roads have been repaired and footpaths painted to give the city a fresh look.

“This is happening in the city after five years,” said Ramzan Khan, a shopkeeper who last saw former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani visit the region during PPP’s government.

Electioneering

The premier’s visit is being seen by other political parties as a ploy to boost PML-N’s popularity ahead of the regional elections scheduled to be held in June.

Opposition parties have termed the premier’s visit and announcement of a development package a ‘gimmick’ to obtain maximum votes. A source in the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and G-B earlier told The Express Tribune the prime minister will announce construction of important roads in the region.

The PM is also likely to chair the budget session of G-B Council and announce new policies to boost tourism, mining and forestry.

He is also expected to offer special representation to G-B in the Gwadar-Kashgar economic corridor project.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2015.