Upping the ante: PML-N workers express solidarity with Nawaz

Pir Sabir Shah says PTI, PAT trying to involve army despite its decision to remain impartial.

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s provincial president Pir Sabir Shah raised his voice in support for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at an Istehkam-e-Pakistan rally in Peshawar.

Party activists from across the province gathered at Eidgah, Charsadda Road on Friday.  In his address, Shah billed the political standoff between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) as the continuation of a long-standing conspiracy against Nawaz Sharif.

According to Shah, the PML-N had made consistent efforts to initiate development work and bring peace and prosperity to the country. He accused the protesting parties of colluding and using the sit-ins in Islamabad to paralyse progress in the country.

He added PTI and PAT were needlessly involving the Pakistan Army into the political standoff despite its decision to remain impartial in the matter.

The PML-N’s provincial president took a dig at the PTI by improvising the protesters’ popular slogan ‘go Nawaz go’ to express support for the prime minister. “We are with you, go Nawaz go,” chanted Shah.

Speaking at the rally, PML-N vice president Amir Muqam said the turnout rivalled that of the sit-ins and was welcome proof of the widespread support enjoyed by the prime minister.

He stated PTI was ignoring its responsibilities towards Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. “The promises of free education and lower food prices have not been kept” said Muqam.

A question of priorities

Reaffirming his party’s stance in preserving the democratic system and supremacy of parliament, Awami National Party (ANP) president Asfandyar Wali expressed satisfaction over political parties’ united front against the sit-in at Islamabad.

“The army’s role in supporting the government during this crucial phase deserves appreciation,” Asfandyar told the media at Wali Bagh Charsadda on Friday.

It is high time all government institutions and political forces unite to protect democracy, he added.

Asfandyar denounced the PTI and PAT protest, adding there is no justification for imposing pressure on an elected prime minister to resign.

“Massive rigging was noted on the eve of May 2013 in K-P as well, but the results were accepted by ANP in the interest of democracy,” he said.

The ANP chief said it was unfortunate Imran was crying foul about rigging in the general elections but was silent about problems faced in K-P. Asfandyar said deteriorating law and order in the province needed to be prioritised. Acts of kidnapping for ransom, target killing of tribal leaders and grenade attacks in connection with extortion of money had become the order of the day. He urged the K-P government to fulfil its responsibilities toward the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2014.