Banners saga: PML-N to ‘discipline’ local chapters
Party decides to keep state apparatus away from probe
PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The ‘mysterious’ appearance of banners against none other than Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and that, too, in Lahore – the PML-N’s power bastion – has put the party leadership at unease as it has decided to revoke membership of the party’s stalwarts or activists in areas where such banners would surface.
The party command has also decided to probe the matter and fix responsibility amid suspicions that the move was an “insiders’ job”, The Express Tribune has learnt.
As per the reported directives, the PML-N’s local leadership concerned would be held responsible and proceeded against if any banner targeting the party leadership surfaced anywhere across the country, Punjab in particular.
The state machinery, however, would not be used to probe the matter, it is learnt.
Voices of dissent emerging in PML-N
Informal discussions with N-Leaguers suggest the PML-N leadership is of the view that some party dissidents might be involved in the installation of banners against the prime minister and in favour of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore, a development that has brought embarrassment for the ruling party’s powerful Punjab chapter, The Express Tribune has learnt.
It merits recalling here that some banners have surfaced in Lahore, carrying Urdu inscriptions: “Janay do janay do Mian sahib (Nawaz Sharif) janay do, aur aanay do aanay do Mian Shahbaz Sharif ko aanay do (Mian sahib let it go (step down) and allow Shahbaz Sharif to take over the top slot).”
A group that identifies itself as an NGO has claimed responsibility for installing the banners. The move, as relevant circles view it, aims at creating a rift between the party’s top ranks.
“Some dangerous inscriptions appear – under suspicious circumstances – to glorify one leader and ridicule the other. Won’t it end up bringing potential embarrassment for us?” said a senior leader of Punjab chapter, requesting anonymity.
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“At a time when the prime minister has weakened politically – there are demands from all sides for the elder Sharif to step down and Shehbaz is being seen as his potential replacement, installing banners in favour of the Punjab chief minister in the heart of his territory is something serious.”
The issue has been discussed in detail between the prime minister and the Punjab chief minister, the sources said.
Currently, the prime minister is in the Maldives on a three-day official visit. After exchanging notes with the premier, the chief minister is said to have directed the party’s provincial chapter to trace the culprits behind the mysterious banners and directed to revoke party membership of PML-N members if they were found involved in the practice.
In this regard, the sources said the PML-N leadership has also issued directives to all its local leaders that they would be held responsible in case anti-Nawaz banners or any inscription targeting the PML-N leadership surfaced in any part of the country and disciplinary action would be initiated against them, including either suspending or terminating the membership of the local leaders, in addition to the party activists.
“Today, it’s Lahore, tomorrow it can be any other city. This needs to stop and we have to take measures,” The Express Tribune was told.
Interestingly, the N-League’s top command has decided not to consult the police or law-enforcement agencies to trace the suspects, and is relying on PML-N’s internal ranks to use their connection in nabbing those behind the posters.
A PML-N senator in the know of things said the decision to rely on party ranks has been taken keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter.
“It’s a party matter to be dealt with internally,” the leader said, wishing anonymity.
“If the police or the government apparatus is used, this will not relay a positive message across -- the party issues have to be taken care of at the party level,” the source said.
The insider believed that some dissident elements in the PML-N’s Punjab chapter, who have informally parted ways with the party over their disagreement with the party’s high command on certain issues, could be behind the suspicious posters and using the name of a dummy NGO as a cover-up.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the elements behind suspicious posters would be nabbed soon.
Refusing to share the related details, he said: “We know who these people are, they cannot escape.”
The minister said mobile numbers provided on the banners have been switched off and are inactive, making it difficult to trace the suspects.
Asked if the police was interrogating the issue and an FIR would be registered against those responsible, the law minister did not give a direct answer. “Once these people are netted, the details would be shared. Our efforts are on.”
Last year, the banners in favour of Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif inviting him to take over surfaced in different parts of the country. The government had then decided to register an FIR against the suspects.
The ‘mysterious’ appearance of banners against none other than Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and that, too, in Lahore – the PML-N’s power bastion – has put the party leadership at unease as it has decided to revoke membership of the party’s stalwarts or activists in areas where such banners would surface.
The party command has also decided to probe the matter and fix responsibility amid suspicions that the move was an “insiders’ job”, The Express Tribune has learnt.
As per the reported directives, the PML-N’s local leadership concerned would be held responsible and proceeded against if any banner targeting the party leadership surfaced anywhere across the country, Punjab in particular.
The state machinery, however, would not be used to probe the matter, it is learnt.
Voices of dissent emerging in PML-N
Informal discussions with N-Leaguers suggest the PML-N leadership is of the view that some party dissidents might be involved in the installation of banners against the prime minister and in favour of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore, a development that has brought embarrassment for the ruling party’s powerful Punjab chapter, The Express Tribune has learnt.
It merits recalling here that some banners have surfaced in Lahore, carrying Urdu inscriptions: “Janay do janay do Mian sahib (Nawaz Sharif) janay do, aur aanay do aanay do Mian Shahbaz Sharif ko aanay do (Mian sahib let it go (step down) and allow Shahbaz Sharif to take over the top slot).”
A group that identifies itself as an NGO has claimed responsibility for installing the banners. The move, as relevant circles view it, aims at creating a rift between the party’s top ranks.
“Some dangerous inscriptions appear – under suspicious circumstances – to glorify one leader and ridicule the other. Won’t it end up bringing potential embarrassment for us?” said a senior leader of Punjab chapter, requesting anonymity.
Maryam’s ‘lions’ push capital’s commuters into a corner
“At a time when the prime minister has weakened politically – there are demands from all sides for the elder Sharif to step down and Shehbaz is being seen as his potential replacement, installing banners in favour of the Punjab chief minister in the heart of his territory is something serious.”
The issue has been discussed in detail between the prime minister and the Punjab chief minister, the sources said.
Currently, the prime minister is in the Maldives on a three-day official visit. After exchanging notes with the premier, the chief minister is said to have directed the party’s provincial chapter to trace the culprits behind the mysterious banners and directed to revoke party membership of PML-N members if they were found involved in the practice.
In this regard, the sources said the PML-N leadership has also issued directives to all its local leaders that they would be held responsible in case anti-Nawaz banners or any inscription targeting the PML-N leadership surfaced in any part of the country and disciplinary action would be initiated against them, including either suspending or terminating the membership of the local leaders, in addition to the party activists.
“Today, it’s Lahore, tomorrow it can be any other city. This needs to stop and we have to take measures,” The Express Tribune was told.
Interestingly, the N-League’s top command has decided not to consult the police or law-enforcement agencies to trace the suspects, and is relying on PML-N’s internal ranks to use their connection in nabbing those behind the posters.
A PML-N senator in the know of things said the decision to rely on party ranks has been taken keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter.
“It’s a party matter to be dealt with internally,” the leader said, wishing anonymity.
“If the police or the government apparatus is used, this will not relay a positive message across -- the party issues have to be taken care of at the party level,” the source said.
The insider believed that some dissident elements in the PML-N’s Punjab chapter, who have informally parted ways with the party over their disagreement with the party’s high command on certain issues, could be behind the suspicious posters and using the name of a dummy NGO as a cover-up.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the elements behind suspicious posters would be nabbed soon.
Refusing to share the related details, he said: “We know who these people are, they cannot escape.”
The minister said mobile numbers provided on the banners have been switched off and are inactive, making it difficult to trace the suspects.
Asked if the police was interrogating the issue and an FIR would be registered against those responsible, the law minister did not give a direct answer. “Once these people are netted, the details would be shared. Our efforts are on.”
Last year, the banners in favour of Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif inviting him to take over surfaced in different parts of the country. The government had then decided to register an FIR against the suspects.