Rallies in K-P, Punjab: PML-N ready to revamp strategy, counter PTI activism
Senior PML-N officials say Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Khan Abbasi has suggested to Premier Nawaz that rallies should be staged in Peshawar after Eidul Azha so the party could counter PTI’s campaign in the province. The PML-N leadership has already started a mobilisation and awareness campaign, as well as a recruitment drive and adjustment of office-bearers, sources said.
The prime minister has reportedly told Abbasi that after scheduled events in 16 flood-affected districts of Punjab, gatherings in the PTI-ruled province will be considered, particularly before any local government elections there. However, Federal Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid says Nawaz Sharif is usually asked to address many public gatherings, but he is unaware of any scheduled gathering in Peshawar.
Sources say that the senior leadership discussed a revamp of strategy with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, who approved it. The party plans to counter the PTI and Pakistan Peoples Party’s gatherings through addresses by the PML-N leadership across the country.
In Punjab, Chief Minister Shahbaz has been scheduled to address gatherings in the flood-hit districts in order to distribute financial compensation to those displaced by the floods. Additionally, he plans to spend Eid with these displaced families. The PML-N has also reportedly considered the idea of Hamza Shahbaz’s presence in these districts as well through speeches and gatherings.
The party will reportedly focus on central Punjab, known as the PML-N’s base, where the party bagged more than five National Assembly seats in the last general elections. All provincial and federal PML-N ministers have been asked to remain in their districts or constituencies here and oversee the process of compensation and rehabilitation for flood-affected people.
Recruitment of party workers
The party’s senior leadership plans to accommodate office-bearers at the district level in various positions across the country, particularly in Punjab. According to senior officials, 70 party office-bearers will be accommodated on Hamza Shahbaz’s recommendations. An estimated 15 to 20 party members from each district of Punjab will be put forward as members or chairpersons of zakat committees. Twenty or more members will be put forward for marketing committees, coordinators in union councils and town committees as well.
These members will be instructed to motivate the party’s workers and develop a stronger image of the party among the youth of their respective districts. Young party workers in Lahore will reportedly be accommodated by Khawaja Ahmad Hassan in various positions in order to bolster the party’s image.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2014.
COMMENTS (36)
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@tinkerbel:
I although I took up a rigging debate in my comments the war of nerve is currently in progress on this issue although I do believe that in this war of eccentricity no one is the loser but the country and this nation. I basically think that the current impass although determinatal to continuity and development is healthy for the nation's political maturity. If nothing the dharnas have reawaken the sleeping majority and rekindled hope of a change in status quo.
So long as there is a two political system one representing the landmafia and the other leading the industrial mafia the system will remain tailored to protect these two interests. The corruption , nepotism , money laundering , misuse of power , VIP culture , disregard of meritocracy and blatant insensitivity to country's grassroots issues will remain the product of this system which is only instituted to protect the interest of small number of turn taking families.
And if the third force is in the wing to counter this muk muka and turn taking forces so be it. And for this alone I would welcome a third force be it PTI or PAT.
We must rid this nation of family politics and bring forth young, vibrant educated and progressive young men and women to take this country into real democracy with equal social justice and economic opportunities
@AJamal: A good question which should be asked from PTI. For the last 55 days CM khattak is dancing in dharnas while KPK continues to face multiple ills. I see nothing wrong with PMLn governments jalsas since the same are important to dispel lies being told by PTI.
Sitting government will be holding rallies and jalsas. Who will resolve serious problems facing the country like law and order, inflation, unemployment, etc?
@Humza: Sorry , I must correct your assumption it is not elected but selected through systematic rigging please you appear to be educated and it just takes an educated guess to compare the statistical data of the number of votes PMLN gained in the last election when it came to the power and this election. After the comparison just tell us what Mr Sharif did between then and this election that would have justified almost getting double the vote when he was out of the power for eight long years.
Here is the answer , Punjab being the largest province is the kingmaker. If you win Punjab you win the power. PMLN witnessing a sudden massive surge in PTI popularity leading to pre election weeks , it set an hectic effort to dilute PTI surge in Punjab through a concerted systematise effort and this wasn't too difficult considering PMLN already existing power hold in Punjab and the rest is history. Please sir don't assume that I am a PTI supporter , I am thousands of miles away I have no stakes in the country for now but it is my country and I am against the two party system that had be based on hereditary and family politics. The poorer have become poorest and rich richest.
Current impass is not about protecting democracy , parliament or constititution all these are man made. A natural justice that provides equal opportunity to all and not just few is the order of the time The so called politicians standing firm to protect democracy actually are firm about protecting the system and the status quo which stands under threat as they stand losing everything if the system is changed and their amassedly hoarded illegitimate wealth comes exposed and into question. Accountability is the real fear and not the threat to democracy.
Please educate yourself and others this issue is above politics. Political parties and leader could perish but the nation has to live with dignity. Poor has much right to enjoy the niceties of life as rich.
Noonies can't even get 500 people in Faisalabad. They are thinking of heading over to Peshawar??
Seriously... who is coming up with these ideas in the PML-N camp. With friends like these, I don't think Nawaz Sharif needs any enemies.
PML-N leader Mehtab Abbasi's own family members are moving out of Pakistan his relatives have chosen to settle in UK USA and Australia. they are not confident in the PML-N governments rule in haha.
These guys are only loyal to PML-N not Pakistan. So much greediness will drown the country one day.
Who is advising HH PM Nawaz to also stage dharna to counter Imran Khan at this stage when Imran Khan dharna has already been picked up by Guinness World Records Book and it would be included in its 2015 edition which simply cannot be achieved by Nawaz come what may? Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
Right thing to do PMLN. The masses have been waiting for their leaders signal. Lon live PMLN. Unlike the rent out crowds of PTI who come for promise of free food and money, people love PMLN for it is the only party that has actually delivered.
@khalidr:
corruption money, IMF loans, increased taxes, increased electricity rate on everyone to buy these flag waving peasants for few hours. democracy Zindabad.
This will result to new elections that will lead the demise of N-league once for all.
I guess demand for Patwaris will go up
PMLN Mr Nawaz and Shabaz Sharif please dismantle your family dynastic politics, bring forth young educated , honest people who have no history of corruption or greed and can serve this nation devotedly, dismiss your old pundits who have a corruption history trailing them and will trail them to their graves.Bring forth educated ,genuine dedicated and sincere able young men and women in front and then exit gracefully as you too have a trailing history of corruption . Return the amassed wealth to its rightful owner . "This nation". Sincerely apologise , seek forgiveness from Allah and live the rest of your life in your legitimate earnings.
PML-N rallies do not have support from common people like PTI. There gatherings are usually attended largely by party workers, business affiliates or people directly connected to pml-n.
PML-N has been a huge disappointment for the whole national. Their administration is again talk and nothing more..
Does anyone remember how Sharif brother'srepeatedly promised to reopen cases against Zardari once they came into power.
Lies lies and more lies by PML-N!
In the same way, people are coming to the dharnas due to the free food and nightly entertainment. Don't let Facebook noise confuse you, a small minority of Pakistan has access to Facebook.
Long live PMLN. Burn haters burn
Looks like Mehtab Abbassi is a Governor who is violating his oath and should be sacked forthwith. In any case PML N will fall into its own trap.
We look forward to the large rent a crowd. You can rent crowds but can't win hearts and minds.
@ Khalidr your comments show how frustrated you PTI guys are. Imran Khan goes back to Bani gala everyday without the resignation, which tantamount's to nothing short of U-turn or a lost cricket match everyday. Good strategy by PMLN to payback in the same coin. Y are you guys so scared of PMLNs jalsas. It is equally our democratic right:)
Now I am confused, according to PMLN and their supporters, holding rallies is undemocratic, and rallies are sponsored by the ISI. In addition we were told that rallies at this are unwarranted as the nation faces floods,IDPs and a host of other challenges!? ...... IS THERE NO END TO THE HYPOCRISY OF THE PMLN?!?!
@khalidr: What is there to solve when there is a stubborn sore loser like Imran Khan who doesn't care about anything but being the PM at any cost. The PTI and PAT may have DJ Butt and paid protesters but the majority of Pakistanis are against their sore loser mentality of quick fixes and chanting. They prefer to see the elected government work to improve the country until 2018 which is their elected term. The political disaster is Imran Khan who has turned off former PTI supporters like me who now think he is too unstable mentally to rule his party let alone the country.
The biggest risk for PMLN is the high possibility of Go Nawaz Go in their own rallies.
Well done Imran Khan. You have set the precedent that politicians will now follow in this country. More dharnas and road blocks with no end in sight. As for flood victims and the IDPs? meh they can fend for themselves. It is far more important for media outlets like ARY to give coverage to the populist rantings of a man who can not accept the fact that the tech savy urban middle class does not make the majority in this country. You may have been leading the polls on facebook mr khan but the vast majority of Pakistanis do not use facebook. It doesnt take a genius to know why you lost the elections but your arrogance isnt letting you accept it. And now you are busy directing the country towards more turmoil and instability and your brigade of naive young supporters who blindly follow and worship you will eventually realize that just like Bhutto your personal ego has outgrown your love for the country.
PS: I am not a noon league supporter but rather a PTI sympathizer who voted for PTI in the elections. So please before the barrage of "sell out" and "traitor" are thrown out at me by the PTI internet brigade, know that I have no sympathies for N league. However the "khara sach" is that the socio economic group that votes for parties like N League and the PPP also makes the majority of the vote bank in this country.This is why they win the elections.
instead of solving, PMLN is also taking on streets, what a PM we have.. one thing is for sure that even if PMLN staged hundred rallies people will come only for biryani and for money, no one will come for real change, so Nawaz Good luck for another disaster.,