The role of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as the opposition in the provincial assembly of the country’s largest province, Punjab, has been described as ‘unsatisfactory’, while the party’s calls for anti-government protests have also been ineffective. Proving.
According to analysts, this is the reason why the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan faced a huge defeat in the recent by-elections in Sheikhupura district.
Information Minister Punjab Uzma Bukhari in a conversation with the media said with reference to the rival party that the people of Punjab are happy with Maryam Nawaz’s government. People have rejected PTI when public issues have been resolved. So not ready to be a part of any protest or long march.’
PTI Lahore President MPA Imtiaz Shaikh while talking to Independent Urdu said that ‘Our workers and assembly members are mobilized on every call of the leadership. Every time there is a call for protest, arrests are initiated due to government obstruction and retaliatory actions.’
Analysts are also skeptical about the success of the PTI’s December 16 civil disobedience movement and doubt its chances of success.
According to senior journalist Javed Farooqui, ‘PTI used to keep its workers active through jalsa and processions. Just like other parties have been in opposition. But not only the workers but also the members of the Assembly seem disappointed due to the lack of leadership in Punjab and the lack of effective opposition in the House.
Performance of PTI in Punjab Assembly
According to Javed Farooqui, ‘PTI has not given any tough time to the government in the Punjab Assembly. So far, the government has not faced any difficulty in the election of the Chief Minister. Rather, the membership of several PTI members was suspended for raising slogans against Maryam Nawaz.
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
“After that, the opposition members participate fully in the sessions of the Assembly and are not in a position to block or change the legislation. Laws like the Pica Act were easily passed by the government. Protests and rhetoric have also been limited.’
Javed Farooqui said that during the last eight to 10 months, the role of the opposition in the assembly against the Punjab government is negligible. Slogans were raised only on the occasion of the election of the Chief Minister and the budget meeting. But be it legislation or approval of resolutions, the government is running all the issues without any hindrance. The opposition has so far failed to change any policy or plan.
According to Uzma Bukhari: ‘Opposition members do nothing but make noise and pointless criticism. If anyone gives a better suggestion in public interest, we will consider it. But indecent slogans and riots related to personalities cannot be tolerated.’
According to PTI Punjab Member of Parliament Imtiaz Shaikh, ‘We have more than 100 MLAs. No special requests are given. Anyone who criticizes in the House is retaliated against and cases are registered. Members’ homes are raided and even families are harassed.’
He said that ‘cases are registered against more than half of our members of the assembly. We have submitted a requisition for a meeting to condemn the firing and killing of workers at D Chowk, but members are being threatened with arrest if they attend the meeting. Its purpose is that we cannot fulfill the quorum in the assembly session.
Even in these circumstances, we are raising our voices inside and outside the House. In spite of oppression and violence and obstacles, they are persistent.’
Reduction in long marches and processions
On behalf of PTI in the past, rallies and rallies used to be held in various cities of Punjab. But now even on the call of the leadership, there is no encouraging number of workers for long march or protest.
According to Imtiaz Shaikh: ‘As soon as the PTI founder calls for a protest, the entire Punjab police starts setting up barricades and making arrests. Serious cases have been filed against the entire leadership of Punjab including me. Going into hiding to stay out and play the part.
“Most of our leaders are under arrest and raids are being conducted to arrest those who are children. Now we have decided to record most of the rallies and protests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In a few days there will be a central protest against the firing on D Chowk workers.’
Javed Farooqui said that ‘PTI leadership seems to be ignorant of ground realities. The workers are left at the mercy of the police by calling for protests day in and day out. In such situations, politics should be done under strategy.
‘Because the vote bank of PTI is there, but the way the workers are being tired, they are no longer interested in jalsa processions. Despite being called twice, they refused to come out. Only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, people are evicted from government resources.’
He further said that PTI has created political stability in and outside the Houses of Punjab by its behavior. The government has been given a free hand. There is no opposition pressure on the Maryam Nawaz government. Because they know that any protest they will have to face powerful circles.’
