An organisational reshuffle in Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Punjab is on the cards, as the provincial party President is of the view that he would not wait for December 27, the day of martyrdom of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, to replace the inefficient leadership in the province.
It may be noted that Rana Aftab Ahmed Khan, party President in Punjab, had earlier hinted at deferring any such move until December 27, after presiding over the first-ever Punjab council meeting in Lahore in early November. Prior to it, it was general perception among party circles that he would bring drastic changes in party provincial leadership soon after taking charge as PPP Punjab president.
However, a thin turn up at the founding day meeting in Lahore has forced the party leadership to rethink its earlier stance of deferring it until the martyrdom ceremony of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, as the party office-bearers failed to fetch the annoyed party workers in the meeting.
The independent observers have termed the November 30 founding day meeting 'very poor' in terms of attendance. According to these circles, only a few hundred workers were present on the occasion. Though the party leadership has dispelled the impression and stated that thousands of party workers attended the founding day public meeting at Alhamra Cultural Complex Lahore.
"In my opinion, there were more than 8000 party workers in the meeting," said Uzma Bukhari, a member of Punjab provincial assembly and secretary general of PPP women wing. She further pointed out that federal ministers were all set to attend the party function in this historical city of political importance but the President instructed all ministers to stay in Islamabad to deal with any emergency-like situation arising out of terrorist attack in Mumbai.
"Plans were also made earleir to invite prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to the meeting but the idea was turned down later due to geo-political changes in the region," she added.
Whatsoever may be the circumstances, the founding day meeting in Lahore was being considered a kick start for revival of party glory in Punjab, particularly in Lahore. However, an abnormal security situation has forced the party leadership to go-slow on this front, which again would play havoc with disgruntled party workers who are already grinding in speedily worsening economic situation in the country.
Rana Aftab Ahmed still vowed to appease the party workers in the days to come. According to him, jobs will be provided to party workers on priority basis and fresh blood would be introduced in the party ranks from colleges and universities to reactivate party activities in the province.
"We are reorganising party on modern lines and every step is being documented at present," he said, adding: "It is being ensured that every party worker should have identity card, as majority of party workers have no ID cards despite having a strong commitment with the party."
But the second tier of party command is not happy with Rana Aftab's policy on bringing change in party organisation. According to them, there is an urgent need of 'change' within party organisation and educated persons should replace the uneducated status quo forces within the party.
These circles are of the view that party workers would never return to party unless the inefficient party leadership is removed immediately. Rana Aftab Ahmed, on the other hand, points that despite the fact that party workers are not happy with existing leadership at district level but still he can not impose martial law and bring an overnight change within party ranks.
"My policy is to request the inactive party office bearers to leave the party offices at their own instead of meeting any disgraceful consequences," he said. According to him, he would not wait for December 27 for such a move, as he can not bear the inefficient party leadership in the province any further.
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