SAHIWAL: The Punjab Arthian Association Punjab (PAAP) condemned the ‘Azadi March’ called by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Aug 14.

The call had been made to destabilise democratic institutions and traders strongly opposed such confrontational politics. This was announced by Sheikh Muhammad Afzal, provincial president of PAAP, while addressing a media conference at his residence on Sunday.

He was flanked by PAAP Secretary-General Tahir Gujjar, Senior Vice-President Abdur Rehman and Vice-President Shaikh Abdul Hafeez.

“I am representing around 1,000 office-bearers of the Arthian Association of Punjab,” Afzal said.

He said Imran Khan’s demands must be dealt with in the constitutional framework and demanding resignation of an elected prime minister was a plot to derail democracy. He stressed Imran must realise the armed forces were busy with the military operation in North Waziristan and it was not the time for such marches and bringing state institutions to a halt.

Afzal advised Imran to opt for negotiations and sort out all matters constitutionally. He said Punjab traders and arthis (grain traders) fully supported the PML-N. He added arthis would not be part of any ‘Azadi March’ and PAAP boycotted it.

He further said a political leader must resolve differences in a political manner and not through politics of agitation.

Published in Dawn, Aug 12th, 2014