LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Friday staged a protest demonstration against the Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance in front of Lahore Press Club on Friday.

The protest participants, led by Ejaz Chaudhry and PTI minority MPA Shunila Ruth, were carrying banners and placards having inscriptions against the government. They chanted slogans against the government and demanded withdrawal of fraud ordinance and end to exploitation of minorities, women, youth, farmers and labourers.

Speaking to the protesters, Mr Chaudhry said the PTI had rejected the amendment ordinance and it would be challenged in the court. He said it was strange that the government did not allow youth, women, labour/farmers and minorities to contest the election directly. He termed the ordinance as death of democracy.

Ms Ruth said only the elected representatives could solve the masses’ problems and not the selected candidates. She said the PML-N government was not serious in holding the local government elections because it did not want devolution of power to local institutions.

Demanding accountability of the Returning Officers, who conducted 2013 general elections, she sought appointment of election officials from other provinces.

A large number of PTI and its minority wing workers and supporters participated in the demonstration.

SARWAR: PTI Punjab Organiser Chaudhry Sarwar says the PTI entered parliament through the votes of people and those trying to de-seat its legislators will be ousted by the voters in the next election.

He reiterated that the PTI would launch mass contact campaign across the province soon.

Speaking to Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed and PTI Punjab deputy organiser Sibtain Khan and others at his office on Friday, Mr Sarwar said there would be no use of general elections without proper electoral reforms.

He said the rulers could not help the nation to solve any of its problems. He said the PTI was playing a real opposition role in the parliament and fighting for the rights of people.

In the wake of real opposition, he said, some elements were seeing their political death, therefore, they are trying to de-seat PTI parliamentarians. Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed said the local government elections had become nightmare for the PML-N and it was trying to avoid these elections. He said the PTI would raise its voice against rulers’ actions against local institutions at every forum including Punjab Assembly and would compel the PML-N to hold the local body elections.

He demanded the government take the Punjab Assembly in confidence regarding measures for the flood victims.

TRADERS: PTI Chairman’s political advisor Abdul Aleem Khan said the PTI would stand by the traders during their strike against the imposition of withholding tax on Saturday (today). He regretted the government was formulating policies on the instructions of International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2015

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