LAHORE:
In the heart of Lahore in the city’s posh Model Town neighbourhood, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) formally inaugurated the party’s central secretariat.
According to an official handout, the secretariat has been constructed at the ancestral home of the Sharifs. The land, sprawled out over more than an acre, has been donated by the Sharif family. The renovation of the building, however, has been funded by PML-N overseas workers and leaders, especially those located in the Gulf region.
Party chief Nawaz Sharif made an address at the inauguration, flanked by Gulf region party president Noorul Hassan Tavir, Secretary Iftikhar Butt and a large number of other leaders and workers.
Spewing venom at the government, the PML-N president said the main question before the entire nation was when President Asif Ali Zardari would leave his office, adding that there was no difference between President Zardari and former president Pervez Musharraf’s dictatorial approach. He added that the president had resisted the restoration of the judiciary in 2009.
According to sources, the first party meeting held at the newly established office discussed the current political scenario with senior party office bearers. Sharif also finalised his visit to Sindh, which will start from today (Tuesday). Sharif is to visit Karachi and then address a public gathering at Khadero Badin.
Insiders said PML-N has utilised around Rs180 million for the renovation of the building. They added that a significant section of the party had opposed the decision to form the party’s central secretariat in Lahore instead of Islamabad in order to dispel the impression that it’s merely a ‘GT road party’, but Sharif remained adamant.
The insiders also expressed dissatisfaction over the large amount of money spent on the renovation, saying it was contrary to the party’s claimed policy towards an austerity drive.
Interestingly, the Model Town Housing society has been barred from being used for political offices or intelligence offices in the wake of a number of suicide attacks in the area, carried out on terrorism investigation cells’ offices located within the neighbourhood.
Nawaz is to reach Karachi at 10:00 am today, where three prominent personalities in Sindh’s political landscape will join PML-N. According to officials, Sardar Manzoor Panwar of Jacobabad, Mir Rafique Talpur, and Shafi Jamot of Maleer Bin Qasim, Karachi, are all set to join the party officially.
Published In The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2012.
COMMENTS (17)
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@Nadeem: Because PPP and MQM are national level parties with diverse demographics backing them, while PML(N) is a party that exists in Lahore and Raiwind. No matter how much effort he puts in, the damage is done and its too late for them to spin it otherwise.
i want to see the government of pakistan muslim league in the next election
Let them spent the money as they are used to impress public - but it is not donated for these building instead it is money from public tax and going into wrong direction.
Quick question. How many of you have stopped eating at nice restaurants and stopped driving fancy cars just because 30% of our nation cant afford to eat proper meals 2 times a day? I dont see any harm in these renovations as long as tax payers money is not used.
@Nadeem: Dude, he has quoted what party insiders were saying. It was a quote, not the opinion of the author. Not that the Sharifs are doing anything to dispel this image of being Lahore based
This article reads like something out of Indian newspaper when subject matter is Pakistan. Words like "spewing venom" shows a lack of professionalism and maturity.
180millions are nothing there was a time when Nawaz Sharif used to order breakfast from special shop in Lahore & helicopter was used to deliver it in Murree or Islamabad
ET, reporting clearly demonstrates the meaning SPEWING VENOM, unable to hide biased approved! Agree with @Nadeem:
Rs180 million for the renovation of the building enough for a small power plant. Or maybe paying a small part of your 9 years arrears of Ittefaq foundry to Lesco for their Energy hogging Electromagnetic Smelters.
I can only say Wow to ET reporting and such a shame when media outlets are responsible for regionalism. So setting up office in Karachi proves to be the national party while setting up office in Lahore makes you regional?
Instead this money could have been used for public welfare by PML(N).
Unfortunate considering current turmoil.
PTI Zindabad - PAKISTAN PAAINDABAD
They have spent 180 million of public donations (by N-League affiliates) for renovotion of a property of their ownership. Meaning thereby that they have (legally) choice to get it back anytime. Clever Business Tactics.
This is the final seal to prove that PML-N is a regional Party of Central Punjab.
ET what sort of reporting is this. With words such as "spewing venom agaainst the govt" the reporter has shown his bias towards PML(N). I dont understand that when Bilwal House and Nine-Zero are situated in Karachi and they are not considered Karachi based parties then how come PML(N) becomes a GT Road party by setting up office in Lahore. The bias is clearly visible.
"Funded by PML-N overseas workers and leaders, especially those located in the Gulf region".
Fool someone else.
180 million to renovate a small office. Speaks volumes of priorities