by Zulqernain Tahir in Dawn, Dec 8th, 2023
LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is wary of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) dominance on social media platforms, but it asserts that it may not have an impact on the polls, which will be contested on the ground.
“The PTI invested in social media over the last 15 years, and we lagged behind. What is happening in cyberspace is not on the streets. The elections will be held on the ground, and we are prepared for it,” PML-N leader Saad Rafique told reporters on Thursday.
A day earlier, PML-N deputy secretary general Attaullah Tarar had talked about “lethal propaganda” of the PTI on social media regarding the popularity of PTI supremo Imran Khan and unpopularity of PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif.
Some other leaders also frequently discuss the PTI’s dominance on social media. In recent months, PML-N has heavily invested in social media, even hiring a significant number of journalists to counter the PTI onslaught in cyberspace.
Mr Rafique further said the elections should be held on time, noting that the Senate polls were due in the coming March. He said that the economy would stabilise once the new government took over after the elections.
On seat adjustments with Jehangir Khan Tareen’s Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party, he said, “No decision has been taken yet in this regard.”
More join PML-N
Some so-called electables and former lawmakers from Jhang and other parts of the province on Thursday joined the PML-N.
They include M. Asif Mauvia, Babar Sial, Mehr Aslam Bharwana, Sheikh Younas, Khalid Sargana, Khalid Ghani, Ameer Abbas Sial, Sheikh Yaqoob, and Faisal Hayat Jeevana.
They called on PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif and announced their joining the party.
PML-N Punjab president Rana Sanaullah held a presser along with them. Former Punjab Assembly Speaker Dost Mazari also announced formally joining the PML-N.
Mr Sanaullah said although the PTI had made Gohar Ali Khan its chairman, he should not be allowed to field the May 9 suspects in polls.
He said that Mr Gohar should separate the May 9 suspects from his party and let them face prosecution.
“The PTI wants to take along the May 9 suspects to contest the polls, which will never happen,” he said.
Mr Sanaullah said the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari wanted to make the 18th Amendment issue an election slogan. He suggested that additions could be made to the 18th Amendment.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1796034/pml-n-wary-of-ptis-social-media-dominance
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Bilawal vows to put an end to ‘traditional politics’
by Umar Bacha in Dawn, Dec 8th, 2023
SHANGLA: Pakistan People’s Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday said that political parties have created an environment of polarisation and egoistic politics to divide the nation, vowing he would end traditional politics and bring progress and prosperity to the country.
During his inaugural visit to Shangla district, the PPP chairman addressed a workers’ convention in Damorai area of Kana tehsil.
“The country is riddled with woes, be it the heightened polarisation in politics or the economic crisis. In this situation, the traditional politicians are adamant on continuing the politics of hate, ego and division, transforming it into a vehicle for personal vendettas rather than maintaining it as a platform for a difference of opinion,” the PPP leader said.
He highlighted that these politicians lack interest in resolving the people’s problems, emphasising that rising inflation, poverty, and unemployment are critical issues for the citizens but rank low on these politicians’ agenda.
“I would like to convey to the country’s youngsters and students that the PPP has historically helped the country emerge from deep turmoil and remains the sole party that can provide ‘Roti, Kapra aur Makaan’, considering poverty and price hikes as its opponents,” Mr Bhutto-Zardari said.
The PPP chairman asserted that his hands were untainted by the blood of the Pakistani people, and he had not enriched himself through corruption. Remaining fair and transparent in Pakistani politics was challenging, he expressed, emphasising his goal to economically empower labourers.
“I have been in politics for the last 19 years, during which my father served as president for five years, there were 15 years of provincial government, and I was the foreign minister for 18 months. My hands are clean, and even my opponents cannot level allegations of corruption against me,” he asserted.
“We have been fighting this war for three generations, learning to serve the downtrodden masses through our elders. This is our political training. We reject the politics of name-calling, TikTok, or Gate No. 4. Quaid-i-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had said that the political heaven is under the feet of the people. We do not seek guidance from anyone else; we trust the people of Pakistan.”
“I am the grandson of the person who gave us the slogan ‘people are the source of all power’,” Mr Bhutto-Zardari said.
If he comes to power, Mr Bhutto-Zardari pledged to double salaries over five years, introduce a youth card programme, and further enhance the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), emphasising that this is the responsibility of the state.
He promised to prioritise working for the progress of Shangla coal miners.
He said that he was aware of the financial constraints faced by people, especially in rural areas, urging them to trust him and promising to work for them, like his mother Benazir Bhutto did. ……
https://www.dawn.com/news/1796032/bilawal-vows-to-put-an-end-to-traditional-politics
