Counterbalance to PTI: PML-N moves to tighten grip on electoral seats

PML-N revives old party structure, including district committees

ISLAMABAD: In order to counter the growing influence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to revive various party structures including district committees to tighten its grip on constituencies it had won in the 2013 elections.

According to sources privy to the development, the PML-N has constituted district committees – in six districts, including Lahore – to coordinate with various departments. For these districts, the party has also finalised chairmen and members of market committees, Zakat and Ushar committees and Baitul Maal committees.

Before Eidul Azha, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had assigned MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif the task to start working on revival of party structures at district level to enable its effective role in constituency politics.

Hamza Shahbaz is now working on the task as the PML-N’s senior leadership plans to accommodate its office-bearers at the district level in various positions across the country, particularly in Punjab.



A high level official in PML-N said: “The basic function of the appointed party workers is to facilitate party voters and workers in resolving their issues related to various departments.”

He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) public gatherings particularly in Punjab have forced the PML-N’s leadership to revive its old structure for winning their constituencies and to strengthen the party at districts level. He said the party had used these arrangements effectively during 2008-2013.

The PML-N leader said if Punjab government conducted local government polls, the newly revived structures would help the party win almost all district LG election like it did in previous general election.

The PML-N has so far finalised 32 committees for the six districts. Hamza is in-charge of appointments and after finalisation of the 38 districts of Punjab will ask the provincial government to notify the committees.

District committees

District Coordination Committee (DCC) is responsible to oversee development works and ongoing projects of the party in the concerned district. In the DCC, the PML-N has appointed party workers and office-bearers as well as MPAs and MNAs, who along with the DCO concerned preside over the meetings where party decides which area needs development works.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2014.