Neck and neck contest as ‘heavyweights’ enter in NA 56 arena

Majority of people in Pakistan have keen interest in the politics, in a country where more then 80% portion of front page of newspapers are covered with political news, general elections are around the corner and political activities of political parties are at the extreme, on the whole political talks have become everyone's cup of tea.

Daily the Patriot has conducted a series of surveys in various political constituencies regarding upcoming elections. In this report political scenario of National Assembly seat 56 Rawalpindi is being presented. 457495 is total population in constituency of NA-56 with 231989 registered votes, males 124434 and 107545 females.

Main areas included in Na-56 are Shamsabad, Rehmanabad, Sadiqabad, Chandni Chowk and Commercial Market, and Saidpur Road etc. Statistics showed that people are more educated in this constituency as compare to other parts of the city. People of different tribes, casts and sects are living here and no candidate would get many votes by playing cards of cast or bradari etc.

Main contest is expected between Chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaaf Imran Khan and prominent leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Muhammah Hanf Abbasi. Although Hanif Abbasi won in the general elections of 2008 with huge margin and beat Shiekh Rasheed Ahmed, but PML N would not be able to use Lal Masjad incident, shortage of edible items like sugar and flour, energy crises in this elections campaign as political situation has changed drastically and PTI has emerged as a real threat for the first time since its emergence in politics. PTI also has a political alliance with Chief of PML Awami Sheikh Rashed Ahmed, in NA 56 and NA 55, PTI to support Sheikh Rasheed in NA 55 and Sheik's supporters would support PTI in NA 56. Election Commission of Pakistan has eradicated bogus votes in huge numbers and 37 million new voters also have been registered, PTI claims that large number of new voters would cast votes to PTI.

Scribe found banners, stickers and portraits of leaders belonging to different political parties. Hanif Abbasi was successful to convince Maryam Nawaz to initiate PML N's political campaign in his constituency as she addressed a corner meeting in Sadiqabad couple of days before. PTI Chief Imran Khan inaugurated on Monday PTI's election office which was situated on Murree Road, right in front of the election office of PML N, it was a scene not to miss as passionate workers of both the political parties were enchanting slogans in favor of their parties. A huge public gathering in expected at the end of first week of May in Liaqat Bagh, where Imran Khan and Sheikh Rasheed would address to the residents of Rawalpindi. 

Saeed Ali a resident of NA 56 said that he got his vote registered for the first time and would cast vote to PTI, " It is the fear of PTI that other political parties are running from pillar to post to win seats, which were convinced couple of years before to win comfortably" he added. He said that most of the development work initiated in the last year of the government become possibility because of pressure of PTI. He said that his friends and other residents of his area would go for change this time and PTI would be the solution of all the ills of the country.

A middle aged resident of NA 56 said that Rawalpindi belongs to Muslim League Nawaz and he was much satisfied with the development works of Punjab government, “I would cast my vote for PML N because Hanif Abbasi built two flyovers and a cardiology hospital in my constituency". He maintained.

Mansoor Hussain a student of a University living in Sadiqabad said that PML N was lacking vision and could not set the priority to solve issued faced by the masses." I am a student and electricity breakdown affects my routine and ultimately studies but I am not aware with any project PML N initiated in the last five years, while after 18th amendment provinces could initiate the projects to fulfill energy demand". He said that PTI should be given a chance to run the government as all other political parties had ruled for enough times and had failed to bring stability and prosperity in the country. He said his friends and family members would vote for PTI.

A dejected supporter of PML N said that he was a passionate supporter of PML N but was disappointed when Hanif Abbasi was given ticket to contest elections again, despite his name was in the list of ephedrine scam. He said that either he would not cast his vote or he would compare both the candidates and surely Imran Khan for his welfare works would deserve his vote.

Ilyas Ahmed, a vendor said that no matter what he would vote for PML N, “I am a big fan of PML N, although I like Imran Khan but my vote would be for Nawaz Sharif".

A shopkeeper Ali Khan said that poor sewage system and shortage of water are major issue of the area but last government could not solve these issues. He said that crime rate in NA 56 is much higher as compare to other parts of the city. He said that May 11, date of elections would carry fragnance of change in its air and PTI would win from NA-56 with huge lead.

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( GOVERNMENT OF THE YOUTH, BY THE YOUTH FOR YOUTHFUL PAKISTAN ) 35 % tickets given to youth, 80 % to contest elections first time: Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that PTI has awarded 35 percent party tickets to youth for the upcoming general election as 80 percent candidates would be contesting elections for the first time in their lives.

He was addressing a news conference here on Monday he said, “We have fulfilled the pledges to give party tickets to youth and this is the beginning of a revolution in the country.  People used to criticize me when electables were joining PTI but I made it clear that ticket would be given after scrutiny and we have done that” he added.

Khan further said, “We have given 80 percent tickets to new faces for the upcoming general election after the recommendation of district organizations, it is a massive change in the politics of the country as our opponent political parties always give tickets to the opportunists and elites of the country”.

He said that giving tickets to the youth is a great milestone; he said that PTI has given an opportunity to the people to decide for the betterment of the country by casting votes to these youth candidates of PTI otherwise keep facing the corrupt politicians. He said that other political parties give tickets to the rich politicians and charge heavy amount under the name of party funds and after winning the elections these politicians make money manifolds. He said that most of young people would need financial assistance to contest the election because most of them are not from rich families. He said people believing in PTI, especially those living abroad should contribute to raise political funds for young candidates.

Answering a question he said that he knew how to elect a team and a young team won the cricket world cup for Pakistan, similarly a young team of PTI would sweep the general elections. He said that unlike other political parties, PTI would not award reserve seats tickets to the relatives of any politician.

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“East-West Strings: Sufi Musical Fusion Evening” Where strings of East meet West to create Rhythm to remember

ISLAMABAD: The National Library Auditorium was charged on Friday night with sound of classical music being played by Pakistani and Hungarian musicians. They were singing the duet tunes for Sufi fusion music and the audiences cheered and clapped on the sound of the music.

The Diplomatic Insight, University of Gujrat and Inter University Consortium for the Promotion of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts arranged an exclusive concert “East-West Strings: Sufi Musical Fusion Evening” featuring Katalin Burns from Hungary and Qurban Niyazi from Pakistan at National Library Auditorium.

Both artists did a duet fusion Sufi music to promote the cultural diplomacy between East and West to bring the nations closer together. The Sufi musical evening was arranged to make strings of East (Pakistan) will meet West (Hungary) to make the rhythm to remember.

Prior to their performance, young students from University of Gujrat did an act on a famous Sufi Song. The audience cheered and encouraged the talent of young ones.

Both the artist enthralled the audience with their upbeat performance.

Katalin Burns is an artist with a mission to build bridges between cultures through (mostly vocal) music. She has been experimenting and studying various vocal techniques from all over the world, but of course, she has been most faithful to her own Hungarian roots. She is also a flutist and a traditional storyteller in the Hungarian vocal musical form.

On the other hand Qurban Niyazi is a prominent Pakistani folk singer with a vision to promote local Sufi Music to the world. Keeping the beautiful musical legacy of his late brother Tufail Niazi, who has mesmerized the people around the globe for years till his sad demise. Qurban has been associated with Radio and Television for more than 45 years. He won many prestigious awards from Private Government Institutes and performed not only nationally but also thrilled the audience internationally.

The concert had a clear message that Pakistan is a secure land and there is nothing to be terrorized about what is being portrayed by International media. This also reflected that Pakistan and people of Pakistan are meant to develop deep rooted linkages with outside world keeping their traditions

and heritage alive.

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Music can bridge the gap between East and West: Katalin Burns

ISLAMABAD: Katalin Burns a famous singer from Hungary is in the town to spread the message of peace and love. She shared her experience of visiting Pakistan in an exclusive interview with Daily Patriot; she talked about the rich music culture and hospitality of the people of Pakistan. She said that Hungarian Embassy arranged her visit. She is visiting Pakistan for the second time and she would perform in various cities of the country.  She said that before traveling to Pakistan people warned her about the lawlessness and insecurity in Pakistan but after coming to Pakistan she found people are living happy lives, singing songs, roaming here and there. She said that international media should also promote the soft and real image of Pakistan as people are very loving, open hearted and great appreciator of music.

Katalin Burns said that music has no boundaries and limits, it can spread peace everywhere. She said that she is highly impressed with the legend singers Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Perveen. She said that although she could not understand the lyrics of their songs but power of their voices and charm of the tunes come out with combination of musical instruments kept listeners in grip. She said that she was learning Urdu but she would be performing in Hungarian language with local music bands in Islamabad, Faisalabad and Lahore.

She said that last time she performed in Islamabad couple of years back but she could not forget the love and appreciation given by the audience, which motivated her to visit and perform again in front of music lovers of Pakistan. She said that she had performed in various other countries with famous musical bands. When asked for her views on ' music is food of souls' she said yes as she believes music have the power to give inspiration and motivation and to unite the people.

She said that she is the ambassador of the peace and she is here in Pakistan to strength the relationship of Hungary and Pakistan. In her message to the people of Pakistan she said that they are lovely people and have great sense of music and she wants everyone to spread the message of peace through music and songs.

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Continuing legacy of Jinnah, Imran promises to make Pakistan ‘Islamic Welfare State’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) announced its manifesto Tuesday which  ensuring justice and equal opportunities to all segments of the society, making Pakistan an Islamic welfare state as envisioned by Quaid and Iqbal, uprooting of all sorts of injustices and exploitations, introducing an sovereign foreign policy

PTI President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umer, Shafquat Mahmood, Jahangir Tareen, Dr Shireen Mazari, Imran Ismail, Naeem-ul-Haq, Dr Israr Shah, Faisal Javed Khan and others were also present on the occasion.

Imran Khan said that PTI’s manifesto gives the solutions of all the issues like how to deal with them but other political parties only remain with the parts ‘ what to do’. He said that other political parties remained in power several times but did nothing for the people but PTI would fulfill all the promises made in the manifesto.

Imran Khan said “No other party has made any such policies; if you want you can compare our manifesto to theirs”.  He announced that local government elections schedule within the first 100 days of coming into power.

Imran Khan said that corruption has become the major issue of the country and the PTI would wipe out this curse within 90 days after coming into power, adding that the PTI’s manifesto was not base on slogan but it was formulated after case to case study, so there should be no ambiguity about its implementation. He added that power outages would be brought to end within two to three years.

He said that the defense spending would be rationalized and the defense Budget would be debated in Parliament, with in-camera sessions according to the sensitivity of the issue. He said that the PTI would eliminate the railway ministry and the departments like Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) would also be made autonomous. He said that the PTI would reduce the number of ministries because other parties have used this tool as political bribe, adding that his party would also depoliticize the bureaucracy and police. Imran Khan said that the Pakistan Television (PTV) would also be made an autonomous body during the tenure of PTI. "PTI also recognizes the scourge of terrorism and its devastating effect on Pakistan in the form of intolerance, fear and hate, hence, it stands committed to fought for the betterment of Pakistan," he added.

Khan said that in order to make Pakistan a welfare state, one system of education for all its citizens would be ensured besides equal opportunity and healthcare and a social safety net for the unemployed. In addition, primary healthcare for the poor and elderly will be free," he added.

He said PTI has focused on policies for the Minorities, Labour (including agricultural), Youth, Women, and Persons with Disabilities to ensure no discrimination. PTI also recognizes the Overseas Pakistanis as a valuable asset for the country and has outlined a policy for improving their access to Pakistan and its development. He said "Economic policy will be governed in a way to promote fast-paced industrial growth and ensure job creation.  It will ensure that minimum wage of labor is commensurate with the inflation level in the country. To fast track development within the first 100 days, PTI's will take full advantage of the natural resource of the country like copper and coal".

Imran Khan said that for the first time in history any political party has formed a detailed policy on the basic issues being faced by the country, adding that other political parties have no match with our policy. He said that the PTI has fulfilled all its promises made with the public. "For the first time in country's history, PTI hold fair intra party elections. “PTI has not been doing politics for the sake of power whereas the other parties were taking every step just to come in power again,” said PTI Chairman.

Imran Khan said that the PTI was not depending upon electables whereas the other major parties are dependent on electables who always blackmail these parties by making forward blocks. He made it clear that PTI have unveiled its manifesto after thorough study. “We have thoroughly studied the topic of corruption after which we announced that after coming into power PTI will wipe out the corruption within 90 days,” he said. Replying to a question, Imran Khan said that PTI’s popularity graph has gone up after the public gathering of March 23rd.

The manifesto also outlined that the budget of the defense sector will be rationalized and promised to put an end to load shedding two to three years after they come to power.

The party policy further avowed that railway ministry will be abolished and Pakistan International Airline (PIA) will be removed from defense ministry’s supervision and will become directly accountable to the public. Prior to Imran Khan, Shireen Mazari also addressed the press conference said that according to the party manifesto, justice will be made equal for all. “There will be no difference between the rich and the poor,” said Mazari.

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