Saifullah Sani
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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which claims to have the answers to resolve Balochistans deep-rooted issues, has delayed its much-publicised public meeting scheduled to be held in Quetta on March 23, fearing a backlash from nationalist and separatist forces.
The PTI will now hold the event on April 6 instead of on the previously announced date falling on Pakistan Day, March 23.
But political experts believe this will send a negative message across the troubled province where a sense of alienation and deprivation has intensified of late. In his last major public meeting in Karachi on the grounds opposite the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam, PTI Chairman Imran Khan had declared he would organise his partys next rally in Balochistan on March 23. Imran had promised an even bigger gathering than the one in Lahore on October 30 and then in Karachi on December 25.
Khan sahib could not muster up the courage to face nationalist forces and those who want Balochistans separation from Pakistan. This shows that these forces enjoy an upper hand while PTI has decided to lie low, said a senior PTI leader, unhappy over the new development, while talking to The News here on Saturday. He said a very strong message of solidarity with the people of Balochistan could have been sent by holding the meeting as planned.
It merits a mention here that Imran Khan had recently disclosed having received threats and had vowed to die as a martyr instead of succumbing to such machinations.
When approached for comments, PTI secretary general and a founding member of the party, Dr Arif Alvi, said the decision to revise the date was taken because the party needed more time to put up an impressive show in Quetta. The PTI secretary general also rejected the notion that Imran was convinced to delay the meeting after his reportedly first ever meeting with Akhtar Mengal in Dubai last week. He explained that some issues needed to be settled first, including deciding the venue of the event, as some provincial office-bearers wanted to have it in Jinnah Stadium while others opposed it.
Moreover, Dr Alivi said, the PTI committee tasked with the responsibility to prepare a package for the people of Balochistan to win them back, was yet to thrash out its recommendations while the Dubai meeting was also a part of that initiative. Asked at what level this decision was made, Dr Alivi simply said the decision was made a few days back.
PTI delays Quetta meeting fearing backlash from nationalists
---------- Post added at 06:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:48 AM ----------
Tsunami failed
The PTI will now hold the event on April 6 instead of on the previously announced date falling on Pakistan Day, March 23.
But political experts believe this will send a negative message across the troubled province where a sense of alienation and deprivation has intensified of late. In his last major public meeting in Karachi on the grounds opposite the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam, PTI Chairman Imran Khan had declared he would organise his partys next rally in Balochistan on March 23. Imran had promised an even bigger gathering than the one in Lahore on October 30 and then in Karachi on December 25.
Khan sahib could not muster up the courage to face nationalist forces and those who want Balochistans separation from Pakistan. This shows that these forces enjoy an upper hand while PTI has decided to lie low, said a senior PTI leader, unhappy over the new development, while talking to The News here on Saturday. He said a very strong message of solidarity with the people of Balochistan could have been sent by holding the meeting as planned.
It merits a mention here that Imran Khan had recently disclosed having received threats and had vowed to die as a martyr instead of succumbing to such machinations.
When approached for comments, PTI secretary general and a founding member of the party, Dr Arif Alvi, said the decision to revise the date was taken because the party needed more time to put up an impressive show in Quetta. The PTI secretary general also rejected the notion that Imran was convinced to delay the meeting after his reportedly first ever meeting with Akhtar Mengal in Dubai last week. He explained that some issues needed to be settled first, including deciding the venue of the event, as some provincial office-bearers wanted to have it in Jinnah Stadium while others opposed it.
Moreover, Dr Alivi said, the PTI committee tasked with the responsibility to prepare a package for the people of Balochistan to win them back, was yet to thrash out its recommendations while the Dubai meeting was also a part of that initiative. Asked at what level this decision was made, Dr Alivi simply said the decision was made a few days back.
PTI delays Quetta meeting fearing backlash from nationalists
---------- Post added at 06:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:48 AM ----------
Tsunami failed
. How did you reach this conclusion? Just because Imran Khan has delayed his plans for a jalsa in Quetta does not mean that he is any less popular in Balochistan. The safety of his life should be his number 1 priority. You should have gone to his Jalsa in Lahore or Karachi where hundreds of Balochs journeyed all the way with their limited resources just to be part of the change. They know that current autocratic parties PML-N and PPP have always failed and abandoned them and that is why they are putting their faith in change. Are you aware of the fact that Khan Saab has been instrumental in getting jobs to hundreds of Baloch youth whom are disgusted with their life of unemployment back in Balochistan. Khan Saab makes the time to meet each and everyone of them whom makes the journey to come all the way to Islamabad and see him and he helps them in any way he can. I wish i could say the same about Mian Saab and Zardari Saab whom find it too degrading to even shake hands with the working class.
