The provincial capital is giving off its traditional aura of being Pakistan’s political centre these days as the banners and hoardings of two political parties are on display everywhere ahead of their rallies this weekend. Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI)’s shows of force in Lahore this weekend, which will determine the public trend for the future political canvass in the country.
Both parties are in a race to show off their popularity among the people, as well as strike a blow to each other. The October 28 PML-N rally is aimed at targeting not only the PTI but also instigating resentment against the Pakistan People’s party (PPP).
On one side is the ruling party of the province, the PML-N, trying to display its strength in its traditional stronghold. On the other is the thorn in Nawaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari’s paw: cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, who is set to hold his own rally on Sunday at the Minar-e-Pakistan ground where the resolution for the creation of Pakistan was first adopted on March 23, 1940.
The entire PTI leadership is busy organising its Lahore show and is hopeful of a good response as its youth force has assured a fabulous turnout. In this competition, to some extent political observers as well as the general public is eagerly awaiting the PTI’s public gathering more than the PML-N’s, since it would be the first ever show of power for the nascent third force in Pakistani politics and will go a long way towards determining its future.
Imran’s slogan for the rally is “Throw out this government and save the country”, which leaves little to the imagination when it comes to the intention of the gathering.
“God willing we will have a very big political gathering on Sunday. People are coming from various cities to attend and mostly the youth are supporting us,” PTI Senior Vice President Hamid Khan said. But it remains to be seen whether the public will be captivated by the political commotion. The PTI had boycotted the 2008 general elections but seems to be brimming with confidence about its prospects in the next polls.
As the PML-N rally kicks off, it will be tough for Lahoris to find public transport on Friday and possibly even on Saturday and Sunday as the party has acquired the prime share of the city’s transport for PML-N workers and other participants.