PTI struggles to operate in former PML-N den

LAHORE:

As a political organisation Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), appears to be struggling to function in Punjab, the former Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) strong-hold. Citizens in various districts have expressed frustration over the party rule, holding its bureaucracy guilty for portraying non-cooperation with the incumbent government.

PTI leaders elected from various constituencies of Punjab have reportedly started shying away from zones within their jurisdiction; under the pretense of no-go areas. In addition to that, ticket-holders appear to have withdrawn from associations with the local administration, citing lack of development work and the government’s inability to control inflation.

Furthermore, there have also been reports of growing differences between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ticket-holders and organisational officer, while the party’s relations with elected members of parliament and ministers also appear to be strained.

So far 15 out of 40 PTI ticket-holders in Lahore have quietly withdrawn from their constituencies and all organisational politics. Due to lack of party organisation on Union Council levels, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s relationship with the people has also been left greatly severed.

PTI ticket-holders and party officials recently called on the Punjab Law Minister Raja Bashara to voice their differences with the regime. The provincial law mister is reported to have been left speechless at the severity of the matter, upon hearing that leaders had no hopes of winning the local body elections under current circumstances.

In a separate meeting with the Chief Municipal Officer Lahore, organisational officials and ticket-holders complained that even their modest requests, such as that of installing streetlights, couldn’t be granted. Adding to that, the officials expressed that instances like such point towards their natural incapacity to win vote banks for local bodies.

It has been alleged despite PTI government’s more than two years in power, party ticket-holders and organisational officials have paid little to no attention to the government.

With the exception of a few ministers from other cities, including Lahore, all ministers are reported to be uncooperative with ticket-holders and regulatory officials. The bureaucracy on the other hand, is said to delay development work in areas of ticket holders, while the police is alleged to render zero cooperation in any sense.

PTI Central Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry talking about the growing issues said that it would be unfortunate if any political party does not expand and strengthen while having its political government. He said that the Punjab factor of the party has the most complaints from the bureaucracy. “None of our leaders ask for anything illegal but the officers are determined not to work,” he complained.

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s close aide and PTI founder leader Mazhar Sahi said that at present the party’s ticket holders and organisational officials are suffering from severe frustration. “They are facing non-cooperation from ministers and officials and collectively the whole party has become discouraged,” he lamented.

Talking to The Express Tribune, PTI In-charge for North Lahore Dewan Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din said that during a meeting with Lahore Chief Municipal Officer Shaukat Ali, all attendees including Mohi-ud-Din had protested the lack of road-repairing at their request.

PTI President for South Lahore Zaheer Abbas Khokhar, said that local party representatives have not been given authority to do legitimate work for the people in their constituencies and areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2020.