Attempt to downgrade political fever: PML-N to celebrate Independence Day for two weeks

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has announced its decision to celebrate Independence Day for two weeks amid much fanfare and use the occasion to extend support to the armed forces for the Zarb-e-Azb military operation - an effort that is being widely seen as an attempt to downgrade the political fever raised by rival Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) to launch a million march towards D-Chowk Islamabad on Independence Day.
Diversionary tactics to blow the wind from the sails of a previous PTI Jalsa in Faisalabad on May 24 by Rana Sanaullah, former Punjab Law Minister, miserably failed. He had invited Naseebo Lal - a famous Punjabi singer - to perform near Dhobi Ghath with free entry for all but the numbers she attracted were far less than the numbers who attended the Jalsa.
According to insiders, the government decided to celebrate the Independence Day in a grand way as it considers the PTI long march on Islamabad a conspiracy against the teething democracy in the country. However, critics query the price tag of over two weeks of celebrations and recommend dialogue to forestall the march instead of adopting diversionary tactics that simply fuel PTI ire further.
Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration is contemplating a ban on all protest demonstrations in the capital city to ensure security for Independence Day celebrations, expected to be launched on the eve of August 13. The decision to celebrate the 67th Independence Day with zeal and fervor was decided at a meeting held at PM Secretariat with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the chair. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervez Rashid is in-charge of the committee which will arrange the programme spanning over two weeks.
On the first day (August 14), a grand function will be held in front of Parliament House where PM Nawaz Sharif, chief of the three armed forces, cabinet members, top government officials, diplomats, leaders of allied parties and parliamentarians will participate in the national flag hoisting ceremony.
The armed forces of Pakistan who have rendered countless sacrifices in the ongoing war against terrorism will be paid glowing tributes amid grand aerial show of jet fighters of Pakistan Air Force and Army Aviation pilots. A senior PTI leader told Business Recorder that the PTI would go ahead with its scheduled long-march, adding the government should avoid any confrontation with the PTI workers who were not going to compromise unless their demands were met.
"These tactics in the name of patriotism will not work, as the people are very well aware of the rulers who have been in power before and did nothing for the welfare of the masses", he said, adding it was the time for action and shedding crocodile tears to promote the status quo under the pretext of democracy would simply not succeed.