Fida Hussnain Lahore
Pakistan Muslim League-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday took out an election rally to woo the voters in NA-130—a constituency in the provincial capital for the first time after he arrived in Pakistan from his four years long self-exile in London.
PML-N Senior Vice-President and Chief Organizer Maryam Nawaz also accompanied her father during the rally which started at 3 PM from Taxali Chowk.
The strict security arrangements were made all along the rally route as Nawaz Sharif, who wanted to come out of his car and address the motivated workers, stayed inside his car due to the ‘security reasons’.
Bilal Yasin, who is a close relative of Nawaz Sharif and who is contesting elections from PP-174, warmly welcomed the convoy as the streets were adorned with showering flower petals.
The party workers chanted slogans and showered rose petals on his vehicle.
As the rally moved through Mohini Road, Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz actively responded to the fervent support of the crowd.
Passing through Unique Bakery Chowk, Aranyan Building, Kalay Ki Puli, Rehman Road, and other prominent areas, the rally finally reached Kareem Park, where party workers expressed their immense joy and support.
The rally, which witnessed a spectacular fireworks display at Bilal Ganj Chowk, continued its journey through Amin Park, Makkah Road, Kasoorpura Chowk, Khokhar Town, Maula Buksh Chowk, and various market places, with large crowds walking alongside Nawaz Sharif’s car.
The historic procession concluded at Kachery (district courts) Chowk after traversing through numerous small and large markets.
During the rally, one of Nawaz Sharif’s supporters brought a ‘living lion’ to surprise his leader and the workers. Perhaps, it was the reason that PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif expressed strong disapproval of such an act in the party’s campaign rally in Lahore. The lion was caged and became the center of attention during the rally.
According to a spokesperson of PML-N, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Nawaz Sharif gave strict instructions to promptly remove the lion from the rally.
“The lion was immediately sent back as directed by Nawaz Sharif, emphasizing that neither a lion nor any other animal should be brought to any political rally,” said Marriyum while confirming the presence of lion and disapproval of Nawaz Sharif.
She also said, “Islam and laws related to animals teach us to respect the rights of the animals,”.
It may be mentioned here that Yasmin Rashid, who is from the PTI and cancer survivor, is the rival candidate of Nawaz Sharif in NA-130. However, she has been in jail due to her alleged involvement in May 9 riots and therefore no rally or power show was held by her side.