LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has condemned aerial firing allegedly by PML-N activists on its party offices in NA-120 where by-election has been scheduled for Sept 17.

PTI leaders have demanded the inspector general of police take notice and arrest those involved in the firing. Otherwise, the PTI would be compelled to respond in the same coin, they said.

PTI’s NA-120 candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid asked Law Minister Rana Sanaullah whether the government would take action against those who fired in the air in front of PTI offices and harassed workers, or the party would have to devise its own strategy to tackle PML-N’s “Gullu Butts”. She also demanded registration of a first information report (FIR).

Dr Rashid had continued her election campaign in Eid holidays door-to-door and met voters and supporters at corner meetings in the constituency. She said the by-election was not a contest between two political parties but would determine the fate of Pakistan.

She said Maryam Nawaz was continuously using state resources to run election campaign for her mother in NA-120 and three federal ministers were accompanying Ms Nawaz during the campaign blatantly violating the code of conduct of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). She regretted the ECP was unmoved and not taking action even after identification of the violations.

Dr Rashid challenged Ms Nawaz to hold a public dialogue and explain how her father Nawaz Sharif was innocent, while she would tell the former first daughter why her father was ousted from the prime minister’s office.

She said party Chairman Imran Khan would hold a large public meeting in Lahore on Sept 8.

PTI’s campaign in-charge in PP-140 Ejaz Chaudhry criticised execution of mega projects in Punjab and demanded Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif explain corruption allegations in Daanish schools, Sasti Roti scheme, yellow cab, Aashiana scheme and debt retirement scheme. He also demanded constitution of a joint investigation team to probe financial affairs of the Multan Metro Bus project.

PTI’s campaign in-charge in PP-139 Abdul Aleem Khan condemned the aerial firing in NA-120 and added that the PML-N had started using unfair tactics through its “Gullu Butts” to rig the elections.

Speaking to PTI central Punjab executive council and NA-120 coordinators, Mr Khan said the Sharif family could not win election by using public resources. He said the PTI did not want to get into politics of violence, but would not allow anybody to harass its workers.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2017