Protocol rows unsettle PPP leaders

The Punjab Governor House, occupied by a PPP-nominated governor, has witnessed a series of distasteful episodes involving senior leaders of the party over protocol-related issues, causing concern within the provincial chapter. A complaint in this regard has also reached the office of President Asif Ali Zardari, according to information received by The Express Tribune. Sardar Saleem Haider's appointment as Governor of Punjab had, in theory, opened up an opportunity for the party to reorganise its ranks and file and strengthen its position in the province, using the influence that comes with the exalted office. The expectations that the party in Punjab had attached to his appointment, however, appear to have taken a hit following a series of distasteful episodes at the Governor House. Two most notable incidents, both occurring in September, involved PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Hasan Murtaza and, most recently, Lahore Division President Faisal Mir. Both are considered among the key players of the party in the province. When asked about the episodes involving the PPP leaders and their reluctance to visit the Governor House, spokesperson for the president of Pakistan, Murtaza Solangi, said the matter had recently come to his attention and that he would raise it with President Zardari. A PPP Punjab office-bearer, meanwhile, claimed that the matter had also reached the Party chairman's Office. According to the party, the first incident took place in early September when PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Hasan Murtaza arrived at the Governor House with a convoy of around three cars. One of the vehicles was carrying a team of media persons accompanying him to record his daily routine for their programme. Soon after crossing the main entrance gate, Murtaza was stopped by a traffic sergeant and directed towards the right lane leading to the visitors' parking area. Murtaza introduced himself and pointed out that his name was on the list permitting him to drive directly in front of the Governor House, adding that he was a regular visitor. Despite this, he was denied entry, prompting Hasan to call Governor Punjab to informing him of the situation and requesting him to address this confusion. As per leaders, instruction were conveyed to the staff to let Murtaza proceed ahead. However, the sergeant continued to refuse entry even after the governor intervened, saying that new rules issued by the Governor House's security in-charge, the military secretary, required his explicit consent before any unauthorised person could access the area. The PPP youth leader accompanying Murtaza, upon learning that he had been denied entry despite the governor's intervention, became infuriated and pushed his way through. According to party leaders, the incident was initially viewed by many as an attempt by the officer to assert his authority within the Governor House. However, the events that followed changed that perception entirely. Hasan Murtaza, when approached for comment a day later, tried to play down the episode, saying politicians are used to such hardships. He confirmed that the episode had taken place and said he had called the governor, after which the matter was eventually resolved. When asked about the party officials' claim that he had been denied entry despite the governor's intervention, Murtaza said a new officer had taken charge, so there might have been some confusion at that end. This was followed by multiple instances of party leaders being denied access even to the visitors' parking area, forcing them to walk all the way from the main gate to the Governor House, according to some party officials. On last Monday, another episode appeared to take the matter a step further when Lahore Division President Faisal Mir was allegedly snubbed for merely carrying his phone while standing in the lobby outside the governor's office, allegedly by a senior-most level staff member. Faisal, who had brought Saleema Hashmi, daughter of the late revolutionary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, former principal of the National College of Arts (NCA), and Hina Jilani, former chairperson HRCP, was left red-faced even before this unsavoury episode. Both guests were denied entry to the main parking area, ahead of the main entrance, despite their status and age and were made to walk from the guest parking area. Halfway through, they were again sent back to their vehicles to leave their phones behind. This was followed by a long wait outside the governor's office, without even being offered a place to sit, according to the party leaders. Later, party leaders said that, after much back and forth and an earnest request to the Principal Secretary, Mir found them a place to sit. It was while Mir was waiting for the meeting that he was allegedly snubbed, followed by an order from a staffer at the Governor House to surrender his phone, according to Faisal Mir himself. Talking to The Express Tribune, Mir acknowledged the entire episode, saying he was first snubbed for merely carrying a phone, followed by an attempt to confiscate it. He termed the incident unfortunate. Other leaders, particularly those from Lahore, have also been heard complaining about what they describe as an unwelcoming attitude at the Governor House, particularly with regard to parking and carrying their phones. These episodes were followed by a shake-up in Lahore, where two people deemed close to the governor were abruptly removed from their positions on Tuesday for violating party discipline. It is pertinent to mention here that the Punjab Governor had earlier shown reluctance to offer the premises of his residence for a party event of 25 July, organised to mark the president's birthday after the district administration denied access to Greater Iqbal Park. Even after the venue was secured for the event, party workers were made to wait in long queues outside the Governor House for security checking.