Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's Gujranwala Power Show and Central Punjab Politics
Dr. Zainullah Khattak
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a
historic meeting at Jinnah Stadium on Wednesday, May 18 in Gujranwala, the
fifth largest city of Pakistan, the wrestling city, industrial hub and
stronghold of the Muslim League in Punjab, Gujranwala. What The rally was part
of Imran Khan's nationwide campaign. Which Imran Khan has started against the
imported government. The meeting took place in Gujranwala, the stronghold of
PML-N, where the PML-N has six seats in the National Assembly. In 1984, when
General Zia-ul-Haq wanted to hold a meeting. So they had no hope. That he can
hold a successful meeting in Punjab. Nawaz Sharif chose Gujranwala for this
purpose. Thanks to the father of Federal Minister Khurram Dastagir, General
Zia-ul-Haq's meeting in Gujranwala was successful and it was Gujranwala that
gave continuity to the politics of Nawaz League. Therefore, Gujranwala has a
very important role in the politics of Sandal Punjab. In the 2018 elections,
the Nawaz League had won six of the six seats from Gujranwala. I would like to
give an overview of the politics of Gujranwala. This city is an industrial
city. Therefore, there is devotion and respect with Nawaz Sharif from the very
beginning. In Gujranwala, Nasir Cheema of PML-N was elected MNA on NA-79
Gujranwala One with 142646 votes. Muhammad Ahmed Chhatta of Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) polled 118709 votes in the second position against him.
Chaudhry Bashir Work of Pakistan Muslim League had polled 108653 votes on NA-80
Gujranwala II. The second position was held by Tariq Mahmood of Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf who got 71937 votes. Khurram Dastgir of PML-N had won NA-81
Gujranwala III with 130837 votes. Muhammad Siddiqui of PTI got the second
position with 88506 votes. Usman Ibrahim of Muslim League was elected with 117520
votes on NA-82 Gujranwala Char. His opponent Ali Ashraf Mughal of Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf had secured the second position with 67,400 votes. Zulfiqar Ahmed
of Nawaz League had won NA-83 Gujranwala 5 with 139235 votes while his opponent
Rana Nazir Ahmed of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had secured the second position
with 46832 votes. Azhar Qayyum of Muslim League had won NA-84 Gujranwala 6 with
119612 votes and his opponent Chaudhry Bilal Ijaz of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
had secured second position with 89728 votes.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had secured
second position in all the six seats. Apart from two constituencies, there was
a difference of 20,000 to 30,000 votes between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and
Nawaz League in four constituencies. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as
the second party in Gujranwala in 2018 despite various issues. Before the 2013
elections, the Nawaz League had as much influence in Gujranwala. Today, the
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has gained that supremacy. The PTI meeting was
the largest in the history of Gujranwala. From which public opinion can be
gauged. After 2013, Nawaz League could not hold a big rally in Gujranwala.
There is frustration in Gujranwala especially due to Maryam Safdar Awan and
Shahbaz Sharif which is directly benefiting the PTI. Thus, the PTI planted
victory flags in the May 18 rally at the PML-N stronghold. To thwart the
Gujranwala rally, the Home Minister issued a threat alert for the Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally in Gujranwala. But despite this, the people of
Gujranwala came out in the scorching heat and sided with Imran Khan and
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Because even today the living standards of the
people have not improved or changed. That is why the people of Punjab want
change. Because at present there are many factions in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Which is certainly not a good omen. So that the message of Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf can be conveyed to the people effectively. Because at the
moment there is a gap between the party and the people. Gujranwala has an
important place in the politics of Sandal Punjab. This is where the political
hype of Nawaz League started in 1984. And now the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
(PTI) has started Alamdari and Dhoom in Sandal Punjab from Gujranwala, the city
of wrestlers. The people of Gujranwala are not only body wrestlers but also
political wrestlers. It is hoped that the beginning of national sovereignty
will start from Gujranwala and reach Islamabad. Now the wrestlers of Gujranwala
will play their role in the country's sovereignty in Islamabad.
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