‘Vote for the lion, not the bat’

PML-N intensifies local govt electioneering.

PESHAWAR: With local government elections around the corner, political parties have started reminding the public of their existence by increasing their activity in the provincial capital. One of the parties roaring into action is Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

Fresh elections bring with them ‘fresh’ promises. “If you want water, electricity and gas in every locality then you must to elect a PML-N councilor and nazim,” said the party’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Senior Vice President Amir Muqam on Tuesday.

With the politicosphere heating up, PML-N has started mobilising workers.  Speaking at the residence of K-P PML-N Information Secretary Nasir Khan Musazai, Muqam asked workers to spread a “positive” image of the party to every voter in the constituency.

Muqam is also responsible for supervising federal government departments operating in K-P. He cited a list of development and public welfare projects which he carried out for the people of the province.



He also informed workers of his instructions to the Peshawar Electric Supply Company to decrease power outages and set up transformer repair workshops in every district.

“If you want me to carry on serving you then put your stamp on the lion in the local government elections so I can ask the prime minister for more,” he said.

“If you cast your ballot in favour of a PML-N candidate, it means you have voted directly for me and I am answerable to you.”

Preemptive strike

Muqam also advised the party workers to ensure their family members vote for PML-N. “Keep control over your children and avoid a situation in which the father votes for the lion while the son puts his stamp on the bat,” he said, making a clear reference to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

He also criticised K-P’s ruling party for rejoining Parliament after holding such a long sit-in last year. “The people of K-P have seen the real face of Imran Khan, who has victimised and used them,” Muqam said. “He kept MPAs and MNAs elected by the people of K-P engaged [in protests] instead of serving the public.”

He said the government has another three years and as many months to resolve the problems of K-P’s masses. After welcoming Muqam, Musazai also spoke to workers. The latter was the runner-up in the general elections for the NA-4 seat which was won by PTI’s Gulzar Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2015.