The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf have turned down a request by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to cancel their scheduled rallies on October 28 and October 30, respectively, following the demise of Nusrat Bhutto.
Both the PML-N and PTI declined to accommodate the appeal by PPP Punjab Senior Minister Raja Riaz, saying their parties were equally aggrieved over the death, but it was not possible for them to back out against corrupt rulers. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Opposition leader in Punjab Assembly Raja Riaz Ahmed had asked both rival political parties in Punjab to postpone their rallies. He said the PPP workers were in mourning over the death of Nusrat Bhutto and all political parties should share their feelings and promote politics based on reconciliation. He said the PPP had announced to cancel all its demonstrations against the Punjab government and also appealed to the PML-N and PTI to postpone their rallies, as they would hurt the sentiments of PPP workers.
However, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah categorically said there would be no change in the PML-N rally scheduled on October 28 and Shahbaz Sharif would address the protest rallies instead of Nawaz Sharif in Punjab. All rallies and public meeting would be organised as scheduled, Sanaullah said. He announced that a public meeting would also be organised in Faisalabad’s Dhobi Ghat Ground on November 3. Likewise, PTI Central Information Secretary Umer Sarfraz Cheema said the party was grieved over the sad demise of Nusrat Bhutto and had condoled with the PPP leadership. However, it was not possible for the PTI to linger on their struggle against corrupt rulers which was close to succeed after a long effort, he added.
Nusrat’s death will not stop PML-N, PTI from rallying
