Islamabad (August 8, 2017): Ousted premier Nawaz Sharif will travel to Lahore from Islamabad via the famous Grand Trunk Road today in a bid to show his popularity among the people.
According to the details, to get garner support for himself and the PML-N after his disqualification by the Supreme Court in Panama Papers case, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif will travel from Islamabad to Lahore via the famous Grand Trunk Road today.
Sharif has not visited his home town and his stronghold, Lahore, since he was disqualified by the Supreme Court on July 28 over the Panama Papers scandal.
The former premier wanted to go to Lahore via the Grand Trunk Road soon after his ouster as a show of strength but was persuaded by close advisors to avoid confrontation with the judiciary, sources in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said.
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He was also asked to delay his plan due to security issues, they said.
After the verdict, Sharif went to Murree and stayed there for about a week and then returned to Islamabad. Hundreds of supporters were present at different locations during the journey to welcome him. Encouraged by the support, he changed his plan and decided to travel by road to Lahore next week.
According to the initial programme, he was to go to Lahore through Motorway on Sunday.
Another reason for changing the day and route for travelling to Lahore was the insistence of his workers to address rallies at main cities along the Grand Trunk Road.
The former premier’s spokesman Asif Kirmani said Sharif’s schedule was changed at the “eleventh hour”. Initially, he was supposed to travel to Lahore via motorway on Sunday, but PML-N lawmakers persuaded him to travel via the GT Road. Security concerns resulted in the travel plans being pushed to Wednesday.
Sharif’s spokesman Asif Kirmani earlier said that the former premier would embark on his journey from Islamabad to Lahore via the Grand Trunk Road today at 9 AM.
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He would speak to supporters at selected places before addressing a huge gathering in Lahore, where already preparations for it are underway.
On the other hand, Leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has finalised ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s plan to travel to Lahore on the GT Road.
According to the details, the PML-N leadership held consultation today on the fourth day of Nawaz Sharif’s stay in Punjab House, Islamabad.
In this regard, Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal held a meeting with Nawaz Sharif and finalised matters relating to the PML-N chief’s travel to Lahore in a cavalcade.
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The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has already announced that the former prime minister will travel to Lahore via the historical Grand Trunk Road today (Aug 9).
The rally will reach Murree Road from Faizabad Interchange at around 11:00 am tomorrow. Nawaz Sharif will address his supporters at various points from Islamabad to Lahore.
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As per plan, Nawaz Sharif will first reach D-Chowk from Punjab House along with his convoy. The caravan will then head towards Faizabaad through Blue Area and Zero Point. It will enter Rawalpindi via Murree Road and then head towards Lahore via the GT Road from Rawat.
During his journey, Nawaz Sharif will also visit Data Darbar in Lahore.
In the meeting, security plan was also chalked out. Sources said more than 4000 police personnel, including Elite Force commandos, will be deployed along route of the rally.
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On the other hand, to deal with any emergency situation, the provincial health department has issued a ‘high alert’ in all hospitals along the GT Road.
Ambulances, medicines, doctors and paramedical staff have been put on standby.
Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court on July 28 in connection with the Panama Papers leaks scandal. Immediately after the court’s ruling, he and his family vacated the prime minister’s official residence in Islamabad and travelled to Murree, where he received a warm reception from party supporters and workers.
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