Mass-contact manoeuvre: PML-N desperate to clear Panama fog

Published April 27, 2016
The party cadre is being asked to take the government version of the Panama leaks down to the grassroots level. ─ File photo from PML-N Facebook page
The party cadre is being asked to take the government version of the Panama leaks down to the grassroots level. ─ File photo from PML-N Facebook page

LAHORE: Besides handling the Panama Papers issue through its legal brains, the ruling PML-N has also decided to mobilise its party cadre for politically fighting it with opponents.

Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shahbaz are all holding various meetings, jointly and separately, with district level leadership of the party as well as parliamentarians asking them to present a “true” picture of the issue to the masses.

In other words, the party cadre is being asked to take the government version of the Panama leaks down to the grassroots level so that the masses cannot be “misled” by the political opponents, says a PML-N official. The district leaders have also been asked to make preparations for holding large public meetings without any prior notice, he says.

According to him, the public meetings will be mostly held in provinces other than Punjab to avert the likely negative image to be created by the “propaganda” that the state machinery and resources are being used for the purposes. He says the public meetings in Punjab will be held only if the political fight touches its last bounds.

Meanwhile, the PML-N must be heaving a sigh of relief after JI’s Sirajul Haq has said the campaign against corruption is not against democracy and the Tehrik-i-Istiqlal, which so far had been a staunch critic of the Sharifs, has opposed the call of the opposition for resignation of prime minister when Nawaz has met their demand for writing to the chief justice of Pakistan to set up a commission.

Also Read: Panama Papers — Who is going to ask Pakistanis to pay their taxes now?

Rehmat Khan Wardag says the opposition is unjustifiably making an issue of the terms of reference. He requests all the political rivals not to go to such an extent that may endanger the very democratic system as well as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi’s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying...
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...