Set aside: PML-N K-P feels neglected by central leadership

Workers say central leadership is inclined towards development in Punjab

PESHAWAR: Agitated by party leaders’ undivided attention towards Punjab and only their own constituencies in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, workers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz small provinces were being ignored.

“We know Punjab is a well-populated province, but its resources are all enough for its needs,” a party office bearer told The Express Tribune on Saturday, requesting anonymity. “The federal government is not supposed to pour money into Punjab only as this discourages [growth in] other provinces.”

He added the prime minister’s adviser, Amir Muqam, accompanied Nawaz during the latter’s visit to Shangla - Muqam’s constituency. He said it seemed as if it was the only area affected by the earthquake. “Although we protested against the party’s attitude, the central leadership, including Muqam and Senator Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, did not contact us (the workers).” He said the federal government should launch development projects on an equal basis across the country and not only Punjab.

Persistent protests

The workers of PML-N have expressed their reservations earlier as well and decided on October 28 as the date to protest outside the Parliament House in Islamabad. However, the demonstration was postponed after the earthquake.

“A committee formed to discuss the current situation of uncertainty within the party ranks announced it would protest on November 6,” PML-N K-P Senior Vice President Waqif Khan told The Express Tribune. “No one has contacted us to resolve the issue but we want a solution since [the present situation] may hamper the party in K-P and our core concern is to protect it.”

He added Jhagra and Muqam were of the view that workers were being ignored in other provinces as well. “They [Muqam and Jhagra] said they cannot address issues of workers,” Waqif quoted the two PML-N stalwarts as saying in their response to provincial party leaders. He claimed Governor House was closed to party workers.

Future concerns

“The party’s position was evident in the local government polls and now we are worried about general elections,” said Waqif

Speaking about the protest, PML-N Peshawar President Sattar Khalil said only the party’s K-P President Pir Sabir Shah had contacted the workers to request them to avoid protesting. However, his efforts may be in vain as the committee comprises over 74 members from across K-P who have decided to protest.

“Shah also sought time from workers in the province, saying he would discuss the issue with the central leadership, but workers seem to have prepared for the protest.”

“We will protest outside the Parliament to draw the prime minister’s attention.” He added workers from Dir, Buner, Swat, Swabi, DI Khan, Bannu, Hangu, Kohat and other districts are anxiously waiting for November 6,” said Khalil.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2015.