In a dismal show to condemn the October 12, 1999 military coup, which overthrew the government of its president Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) held spiritless and sporadic rallies in the city on Wednesday. Unlike pervious years, the party leadership did not make public appearances to observe the black day in the city and even other key leaders also avoided addressing rallies. So much so black flags could not be hoisted on the party’s provincial, district and zonal offices contrary to the tradition. According to a senior PML-N leader, the basic reason behind the ‘flop show’ was delay in the party reorganisation at the Punjab level. Infighting of groups within the PML-N on seizing main party slots in the province kept the rallies colourless, he added.
Lahore, considered to be the PML-N’s stronghold, was marginally ignored. Rallies used to be conducted in main cities and various districts. But this time, not more than two or three rallies with lowest strength were taken out. One rally was carried out by the PML-N Youth Wing from Khahna Nou to Minar-e-Pakistan. They burnt effigies of former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf and chanted slogans.