RAWALPINDI: Even though Imran Khan’s resignation from the National Assembly has yet to be formally accepted, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has, unofficially, launched an election campaign in the garrison city in anticipation of upcoming by-polls in NA-56.

The ruling party’s eagerness to regain its foothold in Rawalpindi and the flexing of its political muscle in the city indicates that the government expects the resignations to be accepted and by-elections announced, soon.

On Thursday, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique arrived in Rawalpindi and held a press conference at the residence of former PML-N MNA, Hanif Abbasi – a move that raised several eyebrows among a group of PML-N leaders from the garrison city.

“The party is preparing for by-elections in case negotiations with the protesting parties don’t work out,” a senior party leader told Dawn.

Saad Rafique ostracises certain members by holding press conference at Hanif Abbasi’s residence

However, the stalwart claimed that Mr Rafique’s arrival in the city and the decision to hold a press conference at the residence of a former MNA had alienated certain people, who felt slighted.

“The railway minister’s press conference should have been held at the PML-N Rawalpindi Chapter’s office, or at a local hotel, or at the offices of Pakistan Railways. Why was it necessary to choose a former MNA’s residence for the purpose,” he asked, adding that the choice of venue sent a message to party workers regarding the future choice of candidate for the constituency.

Mr Abbasi, who had won NA-56 in the 2008 elections on a PML-N ticket, was defeated by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan in 2013 by a hefty margin of 13,258 votes. The party had also been routed in Islamabad following confusion regarding its candidate in the by-elections of October 2013. But despite their chequered history, the minister chose to consort with former Islamabad MNA Anjum Aqeel – who was denied the party ticket for NA-49 at the last minute – as well as MNA Malik Abrar and Mr Abbasi.

Other party heavyweights from Rawalpindi, such as former MNA Shakeel Awan, MPA Raja Hanif and PML-N City President Sardar Naseem, were seemingly ignored. Insiders say that this could indicate a rift between two groups within the party.

“Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif wanted to see Hanif Abbasi in the assembly. The other group, which is traditionally seen as being closer to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, was apparently ignored by Mr Rafique in his visit to the city on Thursday,” a party leader told Dawn.

Malik Abrar, when contacted, neither confirmed nor denied the assertion that the ruling party had launched an unofficial election campaign in the city, saying that they were working to activate party workers and they were ready for whatever decision the party leadership might make.

PTI Punjab Vice President Raja Tariq Mehboob Kiani, however, confirmed that following the submission of resignations by his party’s MNAs, PML-N was looking to consolidate support in the garrison city and was looking to reclaim NA-56.

Anti-Imran rhetoric

The entire focus of Khawaja Saad Rafique’s press conference on Thursday was anti-PTI.

He lashed out at Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri’s continuing sit-ins and said that they were creating hurdles in the path of development. Due to the prevailing political uncertainty, the heads of state of three countries had so far cancelled their visits to Pakistan.

He said that the country’s economy was in bad shape, but Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had managed to improve the things by bringing in Arab and Turkish investors. He said that the government had launched mega projects to end the energy crisis and talks were underway to generate over 10,000megawatts of electricity in collaboration with China to address the country’s growing power needs. Calling the sit-ins “a flop drama”, he said, “Spending two days in jail will not make someone a champion of democracy.”

Khawaja Saad Rafique also made it clear that PPP was not an ally of the PML-N, but an opposition party, adding that they had joined hands to protect democracy.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2014