JHELUM: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, on Thursday, said he is not greedy for power but wants to change Pakistan for the better and was working towards bringing peace and prosperity to the country.
He was addressing the crowd amidst chants and songs in favour of Nawaz Sharif and his party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Jhelum.
Reminding his promises of 2013, he said, “When I came to power in 2013, the country was almost bankrupt, industries were wrapping up, there was no electricity and the country was in a dismal state”, adding that he decided to give his utmost to the country when he came to power.
He said, “I have not come here to ask you to make me prime minister again. I don’t want power. I am going to Lahore from Islamabad. I have self-respect.”
The former premier also said it was the people’s mandate which brought him to power and he was ousted “in a minute”.
“Now, five honoured judges, ousted a democratically-elected prime minister with the stroke of a pen in a minute,” said Nawaz.
He asked the people gathered to question the decision of his disqualification.
“There was no corruption, there was no wrong doing.”
“You choose a prime minister by voting for him, but then a judge or a military dictator tears up your vote. This needs to change if Pakistan is to progress,” said Nawaz.
“The average time for a democratically elected prime minister in Pakistan is a year and a half. Dictators rule the country for 10 years but a prime minister cannot even complete his tenure.”
“Is [there] any court to punish dictators, dictators who have violated the Constitution,” questioned the former premier.
Criticising Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, Nawaz said whenever the country is on the path of progress, Qadri comes to Pakistan.
Referring to the security situation in the country, the former prime minister reiterated that he brought peace to Karachi and Balochistan, which in turn helped better the country’s economy.
The former prime minister will spend the night in Jhelum and will leave for Lahore tomorrow morning.
Nawaz Sharif, on his way, also addressed participants of the rally in Sohawa. He said that his ousting was an insult to the 200 million voters.
Earlier, Nawaz’s convoy departed Rawalpindi and entered the town of Jhelum where Nawaz was to address a gathering of the PML-N supporters.
PML-N leader Amir Muqam, while addressing supporters in Jhelum, said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has damaged the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and no change has been brought in the province.
“The future of Pakistan is PML-N,” said the PML-N leader.
After addressing his supporters, Nawaz held a meeting of PML-N leaders to discuss the future course of action. The rally along the GT Road was also discussed.
NAWAZ’S RALLY TO REACH LAHORE TODAY
Sharif’s “homecoming” rally, reportedly, will reach Lahore today. “We are trying our best to follow the schedule of rally,” said PML-N Leader Talal Ch while talking to a private news channel on Thursday.
To a question, he said that around three points had been set up by the party workers on the way to Gujranwala to welcome their leader.
“Nawaz Sharif may address workers at any point,” he said.
Talal said that Nawaz Sharif was in a very happy mood after receiving great love and affection from workers.
NAWAZ’S ‘HOMECOMING’ EN-ROUTE TO LAHORE
Nawaz Sharif’s “homecoming” rally left for Lahore from Rawalpindi on Thursday at around midday.
The rally restarted its second day journey from the Punjab House, where PML-N leader had a stopover for a night. After passing through various cities and towns along the GT Road, the caravan reached Jhelum, where it would have an overnight stay.
Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Senator Asif Karmani, Federal Ministers Abid Sher Ali, Talal Chaudhary, Khawaja Saad Rafique, MNAs Malik Ibrar, Raja Javed Ikhlas, Rawalpindi District Bar Council members, MPA Zaeem Qadri, PML-N leader and president of the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa PML-N Amir Muqam, a large number of male and female party workers and followers were part of the caravan.
A stage was set opposite the Punjab House exit where a large number of party workers particularly women carrying party flags were present.
They chanted slogans and showered petals while Nawaz Sharif came to their sight and bade farewell to continue for their next destination.
The city police had made elaborate security arrangements to ensure safety of the rally participants which included marchers and the onboard vehicles carrying placards and party flags.
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and Punjab Inspector General of Police had stationed in the metropolis to personally supervise and monitor the security arrangements of the caravan.
Meanwhile, Rana Sanaullah and IGP rushed to Gujjar Khan to review the security arrangements in the town, according to media reports.
A large number of PML-N workers had converged at various points to welcome their leader.
The workers and supporters gathered at Kachehry Chowk and welcomed the rally while the vehicle riders, including motorcyclists and motorists, besides foot marchers, joined the rally, which marched on en-route to Lahore. The party workers had set up reception camps at Sowan, Rawat, Mandra and other points along GT Road.
According to Rawalpindi CPO, over 4000 police personnel including Elite Force personnel had been deployed along route of the rally.
City Traffic Police had also devised a special traffic plan for the rally. Motorists, not part of the rally, were directed to use alternate routes to reach their respective destinations.
To deal with any emergent situation, the Health Department had put all the city hospitals on a high alert. Ambulances, medicines, doctors and paramedical staff were also put on a standby.
The security of the rally, after passing Sowan Bridge at the GT Road, would again be taken over by the Islamabad Capital Territory Police till Rawat.
RALLY DAY-1
Earlier, late night on Wednesday, Nawaz’s convoy had reached Rawalpindi, a stronghold area of the party, where he addressed the crowd which included workers and supporters of PML-N, present to show solidarity to their leader.
Nawaz made several points during his speech, calling his ouster a violation of public mandate, while also rejecting the politics of his rivals. He said that he had worked hard to bring prosperity to Pakistan and urged the gathering to continue to support him in the future.
You have already done most undesirable changes: you have destroyed our culture, you have stolen from us our money, you have introduced telling lies and fraud at the highest level, you murder innocent people men and women who disagree with you, you influenced Justice Qayyum, a corrupt man to save your corrupt people, all anti Pakistan elements are with you including Modi and his Media, you negated the basis on which Pakistan was created by Qauid. Your brother Shabaz is part of your plan to “change”. You will change not Pakistan because you need to. He is a ‘ fake encounters expert’ and Modal Town killings are next on National Agenda. InshaAllah.
You want to change the nation. I guess. :3
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