The sudden emergence of a severe dust storm on Thursday uprooted the first-ever convention of the PML-N Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) branch, forcing PML-N President Nawaz Sharif to exit the venue without addressing the congregation.
The congregation of nearly 25,000 people was made up of party workers from various parts of Mirpur division and the rest of AJK at Chitterpari ground, and was arranged to mark the emergence of the PML-N party in AJK.
The storm started brewing at the exact time the PML-N chief was to address the rally. The slow-paced wind took a sharp turn and suddenly uprooted the rally. The change in weather caused the audience to exit in a hurry from the venue, rubbing dust from their eyes.
In his few opening remarks, Sharif gave assurances to the AJK people that he would meet them again in the near future. He thanked the organisers, singling out the newly-elected PML-N AJK President Raja Farooq Haider Khan for managing the first-ever mammoth public rally after the June 26 AJK Legislative Assembly elections in which his party had emerged as runners up in the house. They had clinched 12 seats in the state legislature next to the PPP, AJK, currently ruling Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
Nawaz was accompanied by senior party colleagues including Raja Zafarul Haq, Zaffar Iqbal Jagra and several MNAs and MPAs belonging to his party when he reached the convention amidst extra-ordinary security arrangements provided by the AJK government as well as the neighbouring Punjab government and a contingent of his personal bodyguards.
Speaking at the event, PML-N AJK President Raja Farooq Haider Khan said that the PML-N would have emerged the single largest party in last year’s AJK Legislative Assembly elections had the polls been held in a free and fair environment.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2012.
COMMENTS (14)
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yes, sharif's elders migrated from kashmir and settled in peace in punjab like many pathans, balochs and sindhis
arent sharif kashmiri refugees from srinagar?
@Ch Allah Daad: Mian Shiekh sahib's message might be loud, but people won't be jumping on the band wagon of the person who was tested twice and failed Pakistanis both times.
Koi nahi. They will make a comeback. Tab PTI trolls kia kahain gay?
@Ch Allah Daad:
When will you understand. Tsunami has done its job. The foundations your esteemed rulers....oh sorry i meant leaders stand on have been damaged beyond repair. collapse is imminent. The countdown is begun. One thing i can tell you for certain right now Mian Nawaz Sharif has no chance of becoming Prime MInister in the next election.
It was just a coincidence, the weather conditions in april and may bring sudden sand storms. Mian Sahib's message is loud and clear. Get rid of this corrupt government, win elections with comprehensive majority and do not become prey to disoriented, inexperienced people. No sand storm or so called tsunami can change his stance.
Haha Sheikh Nawaz Sharif! Where there's a Sheikh there's a sandstorm
so called lion of punjab got scared of little wind . if can not handle little wind how is he possibly handle the "tsunami"
This is a conspiracy against the system by the establishment with the motive of supporting the tsunami - noon league. Trololololol
blown by PTI?? :P
hahahaha
Even the weather seems against him :D. Karma
Mian Sb take this as a sign.
Winds of change blowing against PML-N