Thwarting lockdown: PML-N devises plan to tackle PTI
Rana Sanaullah has been assigned the role of a trouble-shooter
ISLAMABAD:
Top leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have devised broad strategies to deal with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) call for shutting down Faisalabad on December 8. Former provincial law minister Rana Sanaullah will be tackling the issue, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Sources revealed that regular confabs have been held between PML-N leaders and the Punjab administration on how to deal with the PTI’s proposed lockdown protests.
Two distinct lines of thinking have emerged within the party: one group thinks PTI should be allowed to carry out its agenda in the city for one day but with certain terms and conditions; while the second group feels the government should establish its writ and make an example of PTI so it does not repeat any such thing in Lahore on December 15.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will take a final decision in this regard on Monday, they added.
Sources said that initially the government will try to dissuade Imran Khan’s party from its shutdown call during negotiations on December 7. However, if the PTI insists then Nawaz will advise the party workers about what suitable strategy they will adopt to tackle PTI’s strike call.
At present, 11 entry and exit roads of Faisalabad have been divided among a total 11 MNAs of Faisalabad — all of whom belong to the PML-N. Apart from MNAs, out of the total 22 MPAs of Faisalabad only one Khurram Shehzad belongs to PTI.
Sources said all party MNAs and MPAs will block the entrance routes of the city with support from police and will not allow PTI supporters from other adjacent areas to enter in the city. PTI’s holds limited support in the city and the government will let them take out rallies and hold protests.
As part of a contingency plan, PML-N workers will be deployed at shops and markets to halt PTI workers from coming close to shops and markets in the area.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif held a meeting with party lawmakers in the presence of Punjab Inspector General Mushtaq Sukhera, provincial chief secretary Naveed Akram Cheema, RPO and CPO Faisalabad, officials from special branch and intelligence bureau during which they were asked to suggest and comply with party’s decision to tackle PTI’s strike call.
Sanaullah will be the focal person for the party lawmakers of the district and administration officials. PML-N’s MNA from Faisalabad, Rana Muhammad Afzal, said that the party has decided not to allow PTI supporters from outside to enter the city. However, he said that it’s now up to the party’s central leadership on how it decides to tackle the PTI.
Sanaullah said the government has resumed its interactions with PTI’s local administration in a bid to determine what they want. However, he said that PTI’s shutdown call for Faisalabad will meet the same fate like Imran’ earlier call of civil disobedience.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2014.
Top leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have devised broad strategies to deal with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) call for shutting down Faisalabad on December 8. Former provincial law minister Rana Sanaullah will be tackling the issue, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Sources revealed that regular confabs have been held between PML-N leaders and the Punjab administration on how to deal with the PTI’s proposed lockdown protests.
Two distinct lines of thinking have emerged within the party: one group thinks PTI should be allowed to carry out its agenda in the city for one day but with certain terms and conditions; while the second group feels the government should establish its writ and make an example of PTI so it does not repeat any such thing in Lahore on December 15.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will take a final decision in this regard on Monday, they added.
Sources said that initially the government will try to dissuade Imran Khan’s party from its shutdown call during negotiations on December 7. However, if the PTI insists then Nawaz will advise the party workers about what suitable strategy they will adopt to tackle PTI’s strike call.
At present, 11 entry and exit roads of Faisalabad have been divided among a total 11 MNAs of Faisalabad — all of whom belong to the PML-N. Apart from MNAs, out of the total 22 MPAs of Faisalabad only one Khurram Shehzad belongs to PTI.
Sources said all party MNAs and MPAs will block the entrance routes of the city with support from police and will not allow PTI supporters from other adjacent areas to enter in the city. PTI’s holds limited support in the city and the government will let them take out rallies and hold protests.
As part of a contingency plan, PML-N workers will be deployed at shops and markets to halt PTI workers from coming close to shops and markets in the area.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif held a meeting with party lawmakers in the presence of Punjab Inspector General Mushtaq Sukhera, provincial chief secretary Naveed Akram Cheema, RPO and CPO Faisalabad, officials from special branch and intelligence bureau during which they were asked to suggest and comply with party’s decision to tackle PTI’s strike call.
Sanaullah will be the focal person for the party lawmakers of the district and administration officials. PML-N’s MNA from Faisalabad, Rana Muhammad Afzal, said that the party has decided not to allow PTI supporters from outside to enter the city. However, he said that it’s now up to the party’s central leadership on how it decides to tackle the PTI.
Sanaullah said the government has resumed its interactions with PTI’s local administration in a bid to determine what they want. However, he said that PTI’s shutdown call for Faisalabad will meet the same fate like Imran’ earlier call of civil disobedience.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2014.