'Five-year competent govt' needed to remedy woes: Ahsan

PML-N leader says unless PTI apologises for May 9 riots and stops dodging justice, the raids will continue

LAHORE:

PML-N’s senior leader Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday emphasised the need for a competent administration to navigate Pakistan out of its economic challenges – the baggage of the PTI government – and asserted only PML-N was capable of pulling off the task.

He called for an elected government with a five-year tenure to implement developmental reforms, asserting that stability could only be achieved through the PML-N.

Addressing the media in Lahore, Iqbal stressed the importance of the upcoming general elections which he believed were to shape the nation’s destiny, adding the PML-N’s concerns were about Pakistan’s wellbeing and standing on its centenary in 2047.

He said during its government, the PML-N made several contributions to reinforce Pakistan's foundation and compared the performances of the PPP, PML-N, and PTI governments, asserting his party’s achievements were clearly remarkable.

Read More: Country faces no threat of default: Ahsan Iqbal

Regarding the party's internal affairs, Iqbal assured a transparent method for ticket distribution across Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) provinces.

The PML-N leader reiterated the necessity for a capable government focused on managing Pakistan's economy to ensure its long-term security and prosperity.

Criticising the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Iqbal said the party always harboured disregard for the country’s institutions and its progress.

Commenting on the events of May 9, Iqbal accused the PTI of being involved in disruptive activities. "The PTI went on to indulge in vandalism on May 9," he stated.

Read More: PML-N revitalises party structure for election

Claiming a deliberate scheme by the PTI to alienate Pakistan's youth from state institutions, Iqbal accused the PTI of attacking the sanctity of various institutions, including the parliament and Jinnah House.

"From the assault on parliament to inciting the youth against our institutions, culminating in the incident at Jinnah House on May 9 reflects PTI's disdain for state institutions," Iqbal stated.

Iqbal criticised ex-PTI chief Imran Khan's statements, labelling him as a "confused person" lacking a clear direction for governance.

Dismissing Imran’s claims about a "London plan," Iqbal said that the alleged attacks on GHQ and Jinnah House were part of what he termed a "Bani Gala plan."

‘Family politics in ticket allocation’

Meanwhile, insiders disclosed that the PML-N top brass is under scrutiny following widespread complaints and clamour within the party regarding the allocation of tickets, which many assert were predominantly distributed to heirs of dynastic families and relatives of high-ranking officials.

The sources indicated that the internal grievances have prompted the leadership to establish committees aimed at resolving disputes related to ticket distribution.

"Numerous PML-N leaders, including Ahsan Iqbal, Hanif Abbasi, Chaudhry Tanveer, Rana Sanaullah, and Saiful Malook Khokhar, are actively trying to secure tickets for their immediate family members or close relatives," disclosed party insiders.

The discontent among aspiring candidates, who have been allegedly overlooked in favour of familial ties, has sparked anger in various constituencies, according to party sources.

"Party tickets are our rightful claim. We have a history of winning these seats, and our future generations are capable of doing the same," the angry party leaders were quoted as saying.

The discontented leaders said that having devoted 35 years to this party, they refuse to let it fall prey to family-centred politics and pledged to prohibit the scions of these families from entering electoral contests within their constituencies.

It is pertinent to note that a day earlier, senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah revealed internal strife within the party, saying that Daniyal Aziz's recent frustration was about a provincial assembly ticket.

According to Sanaullah, Aziz was voicing dissatisfaction with the provincial assembly candidacy. Reportedly, Aziz is advocating for Owais Qasim to run in the election, while Ahsan Iqbal's son has also expressed interest in contesting for the same seat.

PML-N continues picking candidates

Meanwhile, the PML-N convened its third parliamentary board meeting on Tuesday.

Held at the party secretariat in Model Town, the meeting was presided over by the party’s supreme leader Nawaz Sharif to make final deliberations and determine the candidates' roster across various districts.

During the session, the parliamentary board interviewed potential candidates to make conclusive decisions regarding their nominations. The interviews focused on aspirants from the Malakand and Hazara divisions within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The meeting confirmed candidates for several districts including Bajaur, Buner, Central Dir, Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Malakand, Shangla, and Swat within the Malakand Division.

Simultaneously, decisions were also reached regarding the candidates hailing from Abbottabad, Battagram, Haripur, Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, and Torghar in the Hazara Division.

In a parallel engagement, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif engaged in discussions with the party's Balochistan president, Jaffar Khan Mandokhel.

The meeting, attended by key central leaders including Khawaja Saad Rafique, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, primarily delved into organisational matters and the party's readiness for the general elections.

Of particular significance was the discourse on the political strategy tailored specifically for the polls in Balochistan.

"Balochistan is our heart and our soul,” the former premier said. He reiterated his commitment to the region's progress, recalling his visits during his 16-month tenure and expressing intentions to expand the network of Danish schools nationwide, including in Balochistan.

Shehbaz said Balochistan held the potential to serve as the pivotal axis for the country's economic growth in the times ahead.