PML-N: Who’s the most loyal of them all?

Govt officials asked to monitor PML-N members’ role in mobilising the public.

LAHORE:

Majority of the officials posted at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat remained busy on Thursday, coordinating with ruling party parliamentarians to ensure participation in the PML-N rally, official familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune.

The Punjab government has asked Special Branch to submit a report about the ‘performance’ of PML-N legislators: how many people and vehicles they bring to the party’s rally, officials told The Tribune.

A preliminary report presented to the chief minister concluded with the comments, “Lahore is packed with PML-N supporters and a huge number of workers and office bearers will attend the rally”.

Government officers contacted party lawmakers on Tuesday and Wednesday for updates on the publicity material (banners, placards, posters) prepared and displayed across the city, said an official requesting anonymity. He said that an MPA from Ichhra had put up the highest number of banners in the city.

The MNAs and MPAs were questioned about the arrangements they had made regarding boarding of workers, their meals and transportation before and after the rally.

They were also asked about the meetings held by the ministers to mobilise workers. All 13 MNAs and 25 MPAs from Lahore have been directed to remain in contact with workers till the rally is over to ensure participation of maximum number of people from their constituencies, the official added.

The monitoring started on October 22. The final report will be submitted on Friday (today).

However, unlike past years, neither transporters nor district administration has been asked to provide transport for participants.

The chief minister has issued stern directions to the concerned authorities not to use public funds or government machinery for the rally, officials said. Special Branch has been instructed to report on PML-N members who are found involved in collecting money from government contractors or revenue officials, they said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2011.