PML-N ready to show strength on GT Road

• Nawaz Sharif all set to proceed from Islamabad to show his support among masses

Former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is all set to proceed in a huge motorcade from Islamabad to Lahore through the GT Road to demonstrate his support among the masses after his disqualification by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case.

The former prime minister is expected to address public gatherings, followers and the party workers at different places. He has scheduled to leave the Punjab House today (Wednesday) at 10am for Lahore via GT Road in a bomb-proof container, for which, the Islamabad-Rawalpindi police have devised a security plan.

The decision was taken in a meeting of the PML-N leadership held at the Punjab House. On Tuesday, Minister for Interior Affairs Ahsan Iqbal called on Nawaz Sharif and briefed him about the security arrangements. He said that the law enforcement agencies have been coordinating arrangements to ensure security.

Earlier, the interior minister chaired a special meeting with officers of the ministry and discussed various issue including security and law and order situation. Ahsan told the meeting that he would move forward the vision of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan who was a competent minister in the department.

Since the ruling party could not get Turkey-like public reaction on the ouster of Nawaz Sharif, the party is now relying on the ‘managed’ public-gathering to show its political muscles and make the return of the former prime minister to his hometown. Some opponents claim that ‘people’ were not willingly coming out in their individual capacity, but they are ‘managed’.

Reportedly, Nawaz Sharif would make his first stay at Jhelum, where the former prime minister is expected to address a public gathering. Nawaz’s next stop on the GT Road will be Gujranwala. Besides the general public, followers and the political workers are being mobilised by the party leadership to welcome their leader.

Most city roads were decorated with banners that read: “A leader does not need any post… as he lives in hearts.” The banners are from the party’s office-bearers, local leaders and others. The PML-N has planned to stretch the procession over two days – starting from the federal capital on Wednesday and concluding in Lahore on Thursday.

Earlier, Nawaz Sharif was scheduled to leave for Lahore by air from Nur Khan Airbase at 4pm on Friday (July 28) but had to postpone his departure twice due to some meetings.

According to the Islamabad Police plan, the former prime minister will reach the GT Road through the Express Chowk, Centaurus Chowk, Zero Point, Faizabad, Murree Road, Katcheri Chowk, Sawan Nakah, Rawat, Kaswal, and then the GT Road to Lahore.

At Faizabad, the party’s leaders, followers and workers to see off the former prime minister after his address. The Islamabad Police has deployed 2500 personnel for security including Special Branch, Rangers and the Frontier Constabulary (FC) force.

As per the traffic plan, devised by City Traffic Officer (CTO) Yusuf Ali Shah, seven DSP’s, 18 inspectors and traffic wardens are also deployed to keep the traffic flow. To deal with any emergency situation, the Health Department has issued a high alert in all hospitals along the GT Road.

According to the security plan, more than 4000 police personnel, including Elite Force commandos, will be deployed along the route of the rally. Since the party rules in Punjab, the opposition has alleged use of state machinery in a bid to make Nawaz’s return to Lahore.

Punjab Minister for Information Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman said that Nawaz Sharif would reach Lahore in three days. The decision to change the programme had been taken on public pressure, he said, adding that the journey to Lahore via GT Road would be completed at least in three days.