Ruling party ‘getting ready for early polls’

Although former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s ruling Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) government is determined to complete its constitutional term in power, it has started making preparations for the next general elections if “imposed” earlier than scheduled.“The central leadership has not only directed a couple of technocrats to begin work on party manifesto, but is also looking into thorny issues that had earlier been left to the second tier,” a source privy to the development here says.The PML-N leadership is now directly handling the dialogue with religious elements on contentious issues that had earlier been raised by a number of Punjab cabinet members, he said.According to the source, party president Sharif is also set to address a public meeting in Sargodha in a couple of weeks “to test the level of voters’ discomfort” after rebellious Pir Sialvi’s campaign against the government following Islamabad’s failure to handle a crisis last month.He said that the technocrats, who had given their input on the party’s previous election manifesto, had again been asked to come up with a vibrant document for the 2018 polls.Publicity material comprising promos containing slogans that highlighted the achievements made by the PML-N government so far overcoming energy crisis, improved law and order, better road and transport networks and housing (Ashiyana) projects, is also being given a final shape, the source added.All these preparations, he said, showed that the party would not be caught unawares if early elections are “imposed” despite its efforts to complete the term in power.Central information secretary Mushahidullah Khan confirmed that election activity within the party had started, though informally.“No one has been formally notified to prepare the manifesto or conduct any other election-related business,” he claimed.Khan said that formal activities would only start when the party starts a survey on the influence of various clans and notables in their respective areas.The party source said that the PML-N is already working to “expose” development claims of rival parties, particularly that of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).Referring to Imran Khan’s “one-billion tree” claim, he said that some international agencies are questioning whether Pakistan had the required number of saplings for the purpose.Alleged wrongdoings in the award of mines contracts and procurement of medicines for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa public hospitals from a company “owned by a PTI leader” are some other issues that the PML-N would focus on during its election campaign, the source added.