Khan to show muscle in Sharif city today

• PTI set to lock down Lahore today at 15 points as it resumes dialogue with govt over rigging probe
• Khan offers to withdraw countrywide shutdown call if govt fixes date to set up judicial commission for rigging probe

Talks between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sunday concluded on a positive note as the government provided PTI with terms of reference of the proposed judicial commission to probe poll rigging allegations, while the PTI is all set to ‎’shutdown’ Lahore today (Monday) by blocking major arteries of the city in accordance with its announcement of carrying out protests until the proposed judicial commission is established.

On Sunday, both parties proposed reconciliation formulas during a meeting held at the Islamabad residence of PTI Secretary General and lead negotiator, Jahangir Tareen.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Tareen reiterated that all issues would be resolved through dialogue, adding that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) prepared by PTI was handed over to the government which in return gave PTI the Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the proposed judicial commission. He said the next round of talks will be held on Tuesday evening.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who represented the government’s side, told reporters that the two parties had prepared ground for a meaningful dialogue, but the details would not be made public until they reach a conclusion.

“The government is pursuing dialogue in good faith and wants to take the dialogue to its logical end,” said Dar.

Talking about PTI’s show in Lahore today, Dar said, “I hope that things remain under control in Lahore during PTI’s protest.”

He said that PML-N has instructed its workers not to come out on streets during PTI’s protest, adding that leaders from either side should not use foul language against each other.

To this, PTI’s Tareen said that they would make all possible efforts to keep the protests peaceful “just like the ones held in Karachi”.

Addressing reporters, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who is also part of the government’s negotiating team, said that the politics of aggression “has to go now” and that the “politics of results” should be demonstrated.

Member of PTI’s negotiating team, Asad Umar agreed that the government and PTI should refrain from issuing inflammatory statements despite the tension between the two sides.

KHAN MAKES AN OFFER:

Earlier, during a press conference in Bani Gala, PTI Chairman Imran Khan offered to withdraw the party’s countrywide shutdown call if the government fixes a date for the constitution of a judicial commission to investigate alleged rigging in last year’s general election.

“We will withdraw the call for countrywide shutdown if the judicial commission is set up,” said the PTI chief, adding that the PTI could even consider calling off the protests if the government announces a date for setting up the proposed commission.

However, the PTI chief expressed his resolve to carry out the party’s show of strength in the PML-N bastion, warning the government at the same time to refarin from resorting to violence against his party supporters.

“Our people will not act like silent spectators. They will respond,” he warned.

Regarding the party’s plan to block roads of the metropolitan, the PTI chairman apologised to the people of Lahore beforehand for the hardships they would have to face due to PTI’s protest.

The PTI chief especially appealed to the traders of Lahore to support PTI’s call and keep their businesses shut for one day.

“…Sacrifices are necessary for change,” he said, adding, “There may come a time that these sacrifices bring a real change.”

PTI PREPARES MOU:

Moreover, the PTI chief said his party had completed its homework and had prepared an MoU comprising points already agreed upon by the government side during the previous round of talks.

“The MoU has been prepared on urgent basis on which signatures will be taken from the government team,” said the PTI chief, showing that PTI would not back out on its demand of resuming talks from the point they were earlier left off.

He said that if the government was sincere in addressing the issue and overcoming the political impasse, the proposed judicial commission could be set up in 48 hours.

Furthermore, the PTI chief clarified that his demand for audit in four constituencies of the National Assembly (NA) was not aimed at personal gains.

“I am not doing this for winning these constituencies. We are not doing it to participate in re-elections… we want to expose the ones who rigged the polls.”

“I cannot become prime minister by winning these four constituencies,” said Khan.

LAHORE SHUTDOWN PLAN:

In the meanwhile, as Lahore braces for PTI’s Plan C today, the party is expected to protest in at least 15 locations throughout the city.

According to sources, the primary focus of protests will be in a handful of locations:

At 8am, PTI protesters, including party leaders Yasmeen Rashid and Andleeb Abbas, are expected to reach the Lahore Secretariat, where they intend to prevent bureaucrats from entering their offices.

At 9am protesters are expected at GPO Chowk, where they will protest outside the Lahore High Court.

By 10am they will reach the Punjab Assembly, which is expected to be the focal point of the protest. A stage will also be set up where the PTI chairman is expected to address party workers and supporters by 8pm.

Besides the above mentioned locations, the PTI will also focus its protests in two other places.

One of the locations will be the NA-118 Shahdara constituency, where PML-N’s Muhammad Riaz Malik won against PTI’s Hamid Zaman in the 2013 elections.

The second location will be Defence Bhatta Chowk’s NA-125 where PTI’s Hamid Khan lost to PML-N’s Saad Rafique.

Both the constituencies have been highlighted by PTI for alleged vote rigging.

The planned closure of Lahore is a continuation of the PTI chief’s push to pressure the government into carrying out an enquiry of alleged rigging in the 2013 elections.

SECURITY THREAT:

In the meanwhile, security institutions have warned PTI chief Imran Khan and other prominent leaders of a possibility of attack by Taliban and asked them to use bullet proof vehicles, jackets and bullet proof rostrum.

According to reports, the security agencies are of the opinion that Khan and PTI leadership face danger from Taliban. Police has also reportedly issued the threat advisory in this connection.

ON KEEPING AN EYE:

On the other hand, as part of the government’s plan to cope with PTI’s shutdown in Lahore, officials of the City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) have been tasked to record every moment of the protest.

The core objective of recording today’s episodes through cameras is to identify elements, especially from PTI or other private groups, who may disrupt peace through shutting down businesses forcibly, fighting with officials or the protesting party or indulging in violence.

“Though the media can independently record the event, we have decided to get the entire day’s proceedings recorded at all points by our own people to help us in revealing the truth. After getting the event recorded, we will get the footage distributed among the media,” a senior government official reportedly said.

He said the credibility of recording would be ensured, adding that it could even be checked and verified through a forensic laboratory or any other institution concerned.

The official said the government cameramen had been directed to start recording at the points of PTI’s protest by 7am today.

He said that cameramen/reporters of the electronic and print media would also be informed to reach uncovered spots in case any problem occurs.

“We will try our best not to confront PTI workers. We will react only if we are left with no option,” the official said.

Another official said CDGL and local police jointly held a meeting with PTI office bearers and traders’ representatives on Saturday after the Lahore High Court directed to take all stakeholders on board to ensure peace and protect businesses during PTI’s shutdown protest today.