Messi spearheads array of stars thronging rally supporting Nawaz Sharif

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RAWALPINDI/LAHORE – Football star Lionel Messi was spotted in a rally supporting ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif as the latter journeyed his way home to the eastern city of Lahore.

Sharif began his rally on Wednesday as part of his homecoming celebrations days after a Supreme Court ruling disqualified him from holding office on charges of undeclared assets.

Thousands thronged the federal capital of Islamabad to join Sharif’s caravan to Lahore, the capital of the vast Punjab province, where the 67-year-old’s residence Jati Umra is situated.

Messi was sporting his national’s team kit as he along with hundreds of Sharif supporters waited for the ousted premier to move inside the bullet-proof container from his car.

Pictures released to social media also showed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz workers travelling to GT Road from Middle East. At 12 noon, the Eighth Avenue in Islamabad had been jam packed.

“There is only one prime minister and that is Nawaz Sharif,” said Talal Chaudhry, a state minister who is part of Sharif’s PML-N. “We won’t sit until we reach Lahore.”

Bollywood star Shah Rukh was also expected to join Sharif en route to Lahore. His spokesman said Khan had left for Pakistan early in the morning in his Raees getup.