Brutality or Betrayal: claims of PTI's Punjab exodus dismissed

LAHORE:

The PML-N-led Punjab government's claims that PTI supporters in the province have abandoned the party, citing the almost non-existent participation in the 24 November rally, are far from the truth, according to multiple political commentators.

However, the reality is that the government employed extreme measures to prevent participation from Punjab, which included a ban on gatherings and blockages of all major highways, effectively immobilising the province for almost three days.

The severity of these actions was evident, as even residents on the outskirts of Lahore were unable to enter the city. The measures went beyond the simple imposition of a gathering ban; the government, particularly in Punjab and Islamabad, launched widespread arrests, targeting key PTI leaders and workers. Following the events of 9 May, the police used excessive force against PTI, routinely violating the sanctity of homes in their pursuit of party members.

The fear and repression have left PTI supporters in Punjab in a state of terror, according to former caretaker CM Punjab and senior political analyst Hasan Askari. He said that PTI supporters in Punjab were gripped by fear of government reprisal for simply attending party events.

The political observer noted that if through repression, the government was scaring away supporters of rival parties, and this is being called a victory, then so be it. However, in reality, he warned that his actions would only further alienate people from the political process. He added that the government's tactics resembled the methods used during General Ziaul Haq's dictatorship.

PILDAT chief Ahmad Bilal Mehboob echoed Askari's views, asserting that it would be incorrect to claim PTI supporters had abandoned their party, especially considering the government's efforts to block workers from attending the rally. He pointed out that political history in Pakistan was replete with similar instances of governments employing such tactics, referring to incidents during Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's tenure as prime minister.

A former governor of Sindh, who recently parted ways with the PML-N, also criticised the government for its actions. He explained that the government had blocked all major roads and brought life in the province to a standstill, yet instead of reflecting on its actions, it was claiming victory.