Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: Deep cracks have appeared in the PML-N Rawalpindi chapter over the issue of nomination of candidates for mayor ship and deputy mayor ship of the Municipal Corporation (MC) Rawalpindi.

The party stands divided into factions because of the adoption of an alleged dual policy by the former MNA, Hanif Abbasi.

According to sources, nomination of Sardar Nasim and Sheikh Arsalan Hafiz was approved for mayor ship and deputy mayor ship of the Municipal Corporation Rawalpindi in the meeting held under Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif in connection with nomination of candidates for mayor ship of corporations all over Punjab.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan announced this decision at the Punjab House. On the other hand Hanif Abbasi, chairman the Metro Bus project and Malik Ibrar Ahmad MNA, refused to accept this decision saying, “We have promised to nominate Chaudhry Tariq Mehmood, Chairman UC-13 as the deputy mayor. He is stated to be a close relative of Malik Ibrar and totally ignorant of the alphabetics of administrative politics of local bodies He has worked as deputy mayor with former mayor Haider Ali during Sheikh Rashid’s tenure.

Chaudhry Tariq joined the PML-Q when the PML-N government was overthrown. He savoured the benefits of the Musharraf rule to the core and later rejoined the PML-N during the byepolls in NA-55.

A verbal clash took place between Hanif Abbasi and Malik Shakil Awan following the refusal from the former for acceptance of nominations announced by Chaudhry Nisar. Hanif Abbasi said: “We have achieved a clean sweep in MC Rawalpindi. Malik Shakil Awan replied 24 chairmen out of 40 chairmen had been elected from NA-55. It is the outcome of hard work by all of us and not the efforts of a single person.

Chaudhry Nisar expressed displeasure over the opposing party decision regarding nominations and left the meeting.

It is the first time in the history of the party that the decision taken by the party central leadership has been opposed. Forceful lobbying is continuing for paving the way for Chaudhry Tariq to become the deputy mayor. This state of affairs has fomented despondency in the ranks of the party and a flood gate of rumours has opened.

On the other hand the PML-N leadership once again neglected its most loyal worker, Malik Hafeez Awan, in terms of his nomination for the slot of the deputy mayor despite written assurances and promises. He has served jail terms for umpteen times being a dedicated and devoted party