PML-N K-P workers adamant to hold sit-in on Nov 20
Provincial members blame three senior party leaders for current chaos
PHOTO: ONLINE
PESHAWAR:
Activists and provincial leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have decided, in principle, to hold a sit-in outside Parliament House on November 20 till their issues were resolved.
They feel that the party has forgotten its party workers from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and failed to mend its ways.
Ignored workers
“Some of the parliamentarians have restricted themselves to the lodges and others simply enjoy perks and privileges,” said PML-N K-P Vice President Waqif Khan. “The gates of K-P Governor House are always closed for party workers,” he added. He pointed out that the low morale among workers would result in serious problems for the party. Talking to The Express Tribune on Tuesday, Waqif said the party was on the verge of collapse. “The central leadership has completely ignored party workers in K-P, which has led to uncertainty,” he stressed.
According to Waqif, “Senator Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Adviser to Prime Minister Amir Muqam and Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan are responsible for the current chaos.”
“This is how all relationships work; you address workers’ problems, workers will pay you back with votes. If the leadership forgets workers, party workers will forget them in the upcoming general elections.” Waqif added, “Our leaders will have to address workers’ issues otherwise we will bring in a new leadership.”
The protest
Meanwhile, PML-N district president Sattar Khalil said that workers would gather at the motorway and move towards Swabi Interchange as people from Malakand, Mardan and Swabi will join them. The caravan will reach the federal capital at 2pm on November 20 where they will protest outside the Parliament until their demands are addressed.
“We will highlight our grievances and convey our message to the party leadership since no one in K-P is bothered to address our issues,” Khalil said. “We demand the top party leadership hold intraparty elections on the provincial and central level.”
Root of the matter
PML-N workers decided to hold a protest on October 28, but it was delayed because of the earthquake. Later, dissidents decided to hold a demonstration in Islamabad on November 6. However, on request of provincial president Pir Sabir Shah, the demonstration was postponed till November 20.
Criticising PML-N K-P leaders, activists complained that the central setup was kept in the dark over various issues and workers were compelled to hold a protest in the federal capital.
They demanded the K-P leaders should immediately resign from the party and district bodies should be allowed to work independently. They said a handful of PML-N members hijacked the party and were running its affairs without considering the welfare of workers.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2015.
Activists and provincial leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have decided, in principle, to hold a sit-in outside Parliament House on November 20 till their issues were resolved.
They feel that the party has forgotten its party workers from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and failed to mend its ways.
Ignored workers
“Some of the parliamentarians have restricted themselves to the lodges and others simply enjoy perks and privileges,” said PML-N K-P Vice President Waqif Khan. “The gates of K-P Governor House are always closed for party workers,” he added. He pointed out that the low morale among workers would result in serious problems for the party. Talking to The Express Tribune on Tuesday, Waqif said the party was on the verge of collapse. “The central leadership has completely ignored party workers in K-P, which has led to uncertainty,” he stressed.
According to Waqif, “Senator Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Adviser to Prime Minister Amir Muqam and Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan are responsible for the current chaos.”
“This is how all relationships work; you address workers’ problems, workers will pay you back with votes. If the leadership forgets workers, party workers will forget them in the upcoming general elections.” Waqif added, “Our leaders will have to address workers’ issues otherwise we will bring in a new leadership.”
The protest
Meanwhile, PML-N district president Sattar Khalil said that workers would gather at the motorway and move towards Swabi Interchange as people from Malakand, Mardan and Swabi will join them. The caravan will reach the federal capital at 2pm on November 20 where they will protest outside the Parliament until their demands are addressed.
“We will highlight our grievances and convey our message to the party leadership since no one in K-P is bothered to address our issues,” Khalil said. “We demand the top party leadership hold intraparty elections on the provincial and central level.”
Root of the matter
PML-N workers decided to hold a protest on October 28, but it was delayed because of the earthquake. Later, dissidents decided to hold a demonstration in Islamabad on November 6. However, on request of provincial president Pir Sabir Shah, the demonstration was postponed till November 20.
Criticising PML-N K-P leaders, activists complained that the central setup was kept in the dark over various issues and workers were compelled to hold a protest in the federal capital.
They demanded the K-P leaders should immediately resign from the party and district bodies should be allowed to work independently. They said a handful of PML-N members hijacked the party and were running its affairs without considering the welfare of workers.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2015.