RAHIM YAR KHAN: Last year, mysterious banners urging Gen Raheel Sharif to take over appeared in major cities. Such mysterious posters, again for Raheel, appeared in Rahim Yar Khan city on Wednesday.

The posters, however, bear the pictures of Raheel Munir, the son-in-law of Mariam Safdar and the son of influential businessman Chaudhry Munir. The posters were put up on hundreds of power and phone poles. Who hoisted these posters remained a hot discussion among the people in kiosks and offices and social media sites. The posters had slogans like “Muslim League ko bachana hi, Raheel Munir ko lana hi” and “Aik nazria, aik Sooch”.

The posters triggered a discussion among the residents. PML-N district president Mian Khalid Shaheen welcomed his interest in politics, saying that if Raheel contested elections for NA-196, he would be the best choice. He said the people were disappointed from the incumbent leadership in the district. Traders’ leader Boota Tahir said Raheel would not only be an MNA, but a future prime minister.

A resident of Satellite Town, Masood Khalid said the entry of young Raheel would benefit the city.

Opposition leaders were also positive towards the young Raheel. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Rana Rahil Khan said that every person had right to contest elections from any constituency and Raheel’s participation in electoral process would be a positive change.

Chaudhry Munir, Raheel’s father, said he did not know why the people of Rahim Yar Khan had started the campaign. Though Mr Munir has never contested elections, he plays a vital role in the six NA and 13 PA constituencies of the district.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2017