PML-N workers? reaction to PTI counterproductive
 

ISLAMABAD: The irrepressible reaction of a small segment of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to the planned “Raiwind March” of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is childish, immature and self-indulgent when the intended protest has already headed fast toward further marginalization.

It is clear from the tweet posts of key PML-N figure Maryam Nawaz that the senior party leadership doesn’t sanction any unruly response to the upcoming agitation.

She tweeted: PML-N workers and supporters must at all times adhere to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s policy of civility and respect; in the downfall of the PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), there’s a lesson for us -- we have to be patient; they’re already fast heading toward their doom; let it come naturally to them; there was ** attack on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assembly; apparently some youngsters tried to display flags atop its gate; and even that can’t be condoned as this is **t PML-N ethos.

On Sunday, a group of PML-N activists staged a protest outside the KP assembly in Peshawar to condemn the PTI’s an**uncement to stage protest sit-in in Raiwind. They stormed the assembly’s gate and hoisted the party flag over it. They blasted the PTI leadership for its “childish attitude and naive politics” and claimed that the PTI was damaging the political environment and earning a bad name for democracy.

Their attack on the PTI apart, their own modus operandi was uncalled for, undemocratic and a disservice to democracy, which pointlessly provided a good opportunity to their adversary to hammer the PML-N. ** doubt, in its protests the PTI especially Imran Khan has been going overboard every time but the PML-N, which pontificates that it follows decent politics needs to avoid what the PTI obsessively does. Its actions have to reflect its conduct.

There was also ** need to organize a demonstration by a few PML-N workers at the site of the Raiwind march (or rally) on Monday when PTI leader Aleem Khan visited it to review the arrangements for the protest public meeting there.

A day before the Peshawar protest, Minister of State for Water & Power Abid Sher Ali also fueled confrontation by harshly de**uncing the PTI for its Raiwind march in a way that was highly offensive and provocative. Whenever he speaks, he is uncontrollable and forgets that he is **t an ordinary PML-N worker or lawmaker but a member of the federal cabinet, an ****** that demands restraint and self-control.

The first response of senior PML-N leaders particularly Information Minister Senator Pervez Rashid was appropriate when they said that their party would deal with the Raiwind march with prudence and level-headedness. The subsequent reaction to the protest was also required to revolve around this theme as it was most suitable and apposite.

Undoubtedly, the PML-N’s level of confidence runs very high after the pro**unced political isolation of Imran Khan in the context of the Raiwind march. But this ought to be kept in check and doesn’t call for becoming bloated to the extent where it starts committing blunders to the advantage of its opponents.

If the PML-N acts with endurance and patience in the next couple of crucial months, it has a lot to rejoice with Imran Khan becoming neutralized because of his own political bloomers. If it proceeds crazily, it faces the prospects of losing the benefits of the developing scenario. It needs to rein in its enthusiastic lot to halt it from indulging in the shouting match at a so**rous pitch that would only aggravate the situation unnecessarily.

It will be an uphill task for the political and administrative machinery to let the day Imran Khan will hold his show close to the Raiwind residence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pass peacefully. Obviously, the PTI wishes in the hearts of its heart and will attempt to create a scene but the Punjab government has to be proactive **t to provide any opportunity to it to spawn such conditions.

There was every possibility that some minuscular political parties would have joined, though symbolically, Imran Khan’s protest if it was **t being held in the vicinity of the prime minister’s residence in Raiwind. But all the political forces publicly an**unced to stay away from this show for the mere fact that it would be close to the private estate, which would set a bad precedent. The PTI chairman doesn’t care about such time-tested traditions and **rms in Pakistan’s politics because he is only obsessed with the accomplishment of his mission come what may.

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