MUZAFFARGARH: Independent MNA Jamshed Dasti with workers of his Pakistan Awami Raj party marched from Muzaffargarh to Multan with brooms — the electoral symbol of his party — in their hands on Saturday.

On reaching Multan, Dasti and hundreds of his party workers started sweeping the roads at Ghanta Ghat.

Talking to the media, Dasti said he had registered his party and claimed hundreds of workers had visited him from six districts to register themselves with the party. He announced a ‘big gathering’ in November, adding his party candidates will contest in the next general elections from every constituency in Punjab and others provinces.

He formally launched his party in Multan with this show.

Four union council chairmen, including Rana Akhtar Husain Noon, Malik Liaquat Dona, Malik Ajmal and Kamran Bhutta, with brooms in their hands also joined Dasti and his party’s General Secretary Rana Mahboob Akhtar.

Introducing his party agenda, he said poor families would be facilitated and the feudal system eliminated. He said he would also contest election from Multan from the constituency of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Dasti was received at every bus stop amidst drumbeat. In a show of sheer dramatics, he took over the driving seat of a bus, while the four union council chairmen acted as conductors. They were followed by others in buses, cars and on motorcycles. A family purchased over 1,000 brooms and Dasti offered them the cost, which the family refused. They said it was their first donation to the party.

The MNA also announced that his candidates would sweep these streets daily. He said his party would work for the poor and the labour class.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2016