A view of the Benazir Bhutto Road which has been adorned with flags and banners of different parties. PHOTO: AGHA MEHROZ/EXPRESS
RAWALPINDI: Youth supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have intensified competition ahead of Saturday’s general election by setting up their parties’ camp offices opposite each other in various areas of Rawalpindi.
The race is expected to be a tight one in the garrison city, formerly a stronghold of the PML-N.
The area surrounding Sixth Road and Liberty Market near Government Gordon College is adorned with both parties’ flags and banners while massive loudspeakers play party songs round- the-clock.
PTI workers claim to have set up their office long before the PML-N decided to erect one of its own in the area.
The workers say the PML-N has set up its office in a rented building, owned by PTI PP-14 candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Asghar, facing the PTI media cell, or Ashiana.
In retaliation, PTI workers have established camps opposite to PML-N offices, particularly in NA-55 where the former is supporting Sheikh Rasheed against PML-N’s Malik Shakeel Awan.
“These actions are benefiting us because youth who visit PML-N offices quickly turn to PTI after hearing what we have to say. We can do it their way,” said PTI media cell head Hasan.
“Change has arrived. The excitement we bring has dampened the spirits of PML-N and PPP offices. If other parties think they can better our passion, they are wrong,” claimed PTI worker Shehbaz.
PML-N leaders, on the other hand, say they have no interest in practicing PTI-specific politics. “They have no chance against us. We are an old party whose roots lie in the masses,” said PML-N leader Senator Pervez Rasheed.
A PML-N worker, 61-year-old Muhammad Zafar, said, “People have no option but to vote PML-N. Establishing camps opposite to our offices won’t help the PTI influence our voters.”
Despite the fervour displayed by both parties, workers have exercised a high level of tolerance as no acts of aggression have been reported thus far. Daily discussions between the two sides are often held and solved diplomatically.
The hype surrounding elections has not gone down too well with some citizens in the area, however. Sulaiman, 58, who owns a showroom near Sixth Road, complained that the loud rallies and frequently played music had made people’s lives miserable. “We can’t offer prayers and have to shout to be heard because of all the noise. Traffic jams have become a routine hassle because of the rallies being carried out,” he said.
“Let the people decide our fate on May 11. We will accept the results,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2013.
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