Uri attack, by-polls defeat can affect PTI’s march plans

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate’s defeat on a National Assembly seat in Chichawatni by-polls has dealt a blow to the party’s plans to stage a protest march on Raiwind on Sept 30, according to analysts.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan claimed in an address only a day earlier that people have rejected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his party’s policies. Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate’s victory with a big margin in the by-election has proved that party’s voters have not lost faith in Nawaz Sharif due to Panama leaks disclosures. The results showed that the PML-N voter gives more importance to party’s development agenda including power projects, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, success of Zarb-e-Azb and improvement in financial situation of the country.

Some other factors have also dampen the PTI workers’ spirits for staging the march including ongoing tension in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK), killing of 17 Indian soldiers in Uri sector, PM’s address in the UN General Assembly to highlight the Kashmir issue at the international level, etc. All these issues would definitely attract more media attention than the PTI march on Sharif family’s residences.

On the other hand, a war of words between the PML-N and PTI is also casting doubts on the march plans. With the PML-N declarations to put up stiff resistance to marchers, it seems very difficult for the educated and sophisticated activists of the PTI to take the road to Raiwind. Other political parties are engaged in more important issues like the Karachi situation and the MQM politics. In the backdrop of this whole situation, the possibility of the march on Raiwind is waning with each passing day.