Rallies in K-P, Punjab: PML-N ready to revamp strategy, counter PTI activism
Sources say aggressive recruitment drive in the works; PM’s visit to Peshawar planned
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) acerbic campaign against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his government has forced the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to reevaluate its strategy, The Express Tribune has learnt.
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.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) acerbic campaign against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his government has forced the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to reevaluate its strategy, The Express Tribune has learnt.
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.