News Desk |
The statement of the Prime Minister Imran Khan on the early elections has been making rounds across political circles. However, a close examination reveals that PM Khan’s statements were taken out of context and a narrative was spun that did not support facts on the ground.
The opposition has jumped on the bandwagon in its latest attempts to fail the newly elected government. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Marriyum Aurangzeb on Tuesday has said that the statement of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan regarding early polls is alarming for the nation.
CM Buzdar has indicated that apart from the administrative decisions, his cabinet will soon hold meetings in Multan and other cities of Punjab.
While criticizing Imran Khan, Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the premier talked about NRO to hide his government’s ineligibility. Meanwhile, Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that PM’s remarks are disappointing everyone.
The reactions came after PM Imran hinted at an early general election in the country. He also warned of a stern law against money laundering. “Big names are being revealed. We will not let officers following go-slow policy to succeed. The opposition can walk away if they cannot support us,” pronounced the PM.
He stressed that they will not let Shahbaz Sharif become the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. However, an analysis reveals that the PM’s statements on accountability were conflated with the government’s accountability drive. This set tongues wagging that the government was bent on destroying the higher leadership of the opposition and consolidating its power.
Read more: Prime Minister seeks his own Accountability! – Maleeha Hashmey
However, the remarks of early elections were never given in the context of accountability. This was explained by famous TV Talkshow host Hamid Mir who had asked the question that prompted the “Early election” remark.
thanks! Hamid, this was the real context! Not the one which most media & opposition created..! https://t.co/vw2KCmW1CU
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) December 3, 2018
Hamid Mir explained, “My question was that if you made South Punjab province, then your government will not remain in the Central Punjab province because here you do not have a majority, The Prime Minister smiled and said in response that we may make elections before time and laughter arose”.
Only recently, the Chief Justice took to task a Tv channel for misconstruing his remarks into a verbal assault on the PTI government.
It can be seen that the early elections remarks were given in a lighter mood and did not hide a sinister agenda behind them. South Punjab is a major part of the PTI’s plan for the Punjab province. Though forming a southern Punjab province is next to impossible with the current numbers in the assembly, but the PTI government is determined to take administrative measures to provide relief to the inhabitants of the southern districts.
CM Buzdar has indicated that apart from the administrative decisions, his cabinet will soon hold meetings in Multan and other cities of Punjab. It will help raise awareness about the area; the holding of cabinet meetings in the smaller cities will help people to learn about these smaller places.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has also instructed the Punjab chief minister to establish and make operational the Administrative Secretariat for South Punjab by 2019. He also sought measures for allocation of extra resources to end disparity in the region and a sense of deprivation among the area people.
Read more: Is there tension between the CJP & PM Khan?
Now coming to the question of the distortion of PM Khan’s remarks. It is nothing new as certain media outlets have been caught in such misinformation campaigns before. Only recently, the Chief Justice took to task a Tv channel for misconstruing his remarks into a verbal assault on the PTI government.
In the end, it can be concluded that the PM’s remarks were done in a light mood and not a serious indicator of things to come.