supporters of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif gather around a container prepared for a rally led by Sharif in Islamabad on August 9, 2017. PHOTO: AFP
RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: Deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who kicked off a defiant procession to Lahore on Wednesday, said the huge turnout at the rally has proved that the people of Pakistan have rejected his disqualification.
A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court unanimously ruled last month that Sharif was not Sadiq (truthful) and Ameen (trustworthy) and therefore not qualified to become a member of parliament.
Speaking from inside a purpose-built shipping container to a huge crowd at Committee Chowk, Sharif said the people of Rawalpindi have rejected his ouster from power. “The decision of [the people of] Rawalpindi is the verdict of the entire country,” he added. “And this people’s verdict is a harbinger of a revolution.”
Visibly happy by the huge turnout at the rally, Sharif criticised the top court decision to disqualify him. “There is no case of financial corruption against me. Not even a charge. I’ve been dismissed for not claiming salary from the company of my son,” he said.
He said it was not the first time he had been sent packing. “It is the third time I’ve been removed from office,” he added.
Addressing his supporters, the deposed prime minister said, “I ask you pledge today that you will not let your mandate be disgraced.”
He said no prime minister in the country’s 70-year history had ever been allowed to complete his terms. “This joke must end now. No one can be allowed to disgrace people’s mandate. I will not accept this and the people will not accept it [either],” he added.
Sharif said the country had restarted its journey to progress and it would be able to end unemployment if he was not disqualified.
Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif began a rally on Wednesday in a defiant show of political power after a Supreme Court decision disqualified him from office late last month over undeclared assets.
The 'homecoming' rally reached Faizabad, three hours after the caravan left Punjab House in the capital for Lahore via the Grand Trunk (GT) Road.
Get ready Rawalpindi #SherAya pic.twitter.com/6yDKTtKp1r
— PMLN (@pmln_org) August 9, 2017
Thousands of party supporters thronged the capital to join in the rally, setting up camps along the route he is expected to take and address supporters.
Workers pour on the streets as Muhammad Nawaz Sharif leaves Islamabad for Lahore. #SherAya pic.twitter.com/cWzlOpLxCA
— Hina Parvez Butt (@hinaparvezbutt) August 9, 2017
Before embarking on the journey, the Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz (PML-N) leader held a meeting with key party leaders, including Prime Minister Khaqan Abbasi and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
According to sources, around 1,000 vehicles are with the rally and some 5,000 supporters accompanying the 'homecoming' rally.
#HumBhiNawazHain pic.twitter.com/cJMlNOLQ2f
— Belal Shaykh (@BelalSheikh7) August 9, 2017
Nawaz's supporters bidding farewell to their leader in Islamabad. PHOTO: EXPRESSSharif all set to lead ‘homegoing’ rally today
Sources in the ruling camp say deliberations in the party over the rally’s route continued on Tuesday, with some party circles having opposed the idea to travel via GT Road instead of the motorway due to security threats. They worried that while Nawaz himself would be travelling in an air-conditioned and bombproof container, accompanied by his family and senior PML-N leaders, the party’s rank-and-file would be exposed to serious security threats.
It is people's trust that inspires Nawaz Sharif.. May Allah keep my brother, my leader & all the participants of rally in His protection -ss
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 9, 2017
NS homecoming via GTrd will prove IA,despite losing court battle he won battle of hearts.His enemies despite SC victory r crying &scared
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) August 8, 2017
Container for Mian Nawaz Sharif arrives at #PunjabHouse #Islamabad. At last mian sb realized the importance of container. #NawazOnGTRoad pic.twitter.com/wRHJgcDtVS
— Farid Rais (@fareedraees) August 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/sherytheketchup/status/895165492343828480
On July 28, a five-member Supreme Court bench hearing the Panama Papers case of Sharif family’s offshore assets had disqualified Nawaz from the PM’s office for failing to declare a salary, which he had not withdrawn as an executive of Dubai-based company, as an asset when filing his nomination papers in 2013.
"Nawaz Sharif is still our prime minister," said worker Niaz Ahmad, who wore a lion look-alike costume, and chanted, "Lion, Lion!" referring to the election symbol of PML-N.
Rally plan
The rally will leave for Rawalpindi via Faizabad. Traffic on these routes would be diverted to alternate routes.
Sources say the PML-N leadership has instructed party officials to ensure participation in such huge numbers that it takes ‘at least three days’ to reach Lahore.
Nawaz would have overnight stops in Jhelum and Gujranwala before reaching Lahore. For this purpose, PML-N MNAs in both cities have been instructed to make arrangements to accommodate a large number of people.
Defence Minister Khurram Dastagir is handling affairs in Gujranwala and MNA Chaudhry Khadim Hussain in Jhelum, according to sources.
Citing security concerns, the Punjab government has instructed the owners of businesses located along the rally’s route to close their respective offices, shops, restaurants and other establishments ahead of the rally ‘till further orders’.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah confirmed the development. “Businesses would only close in areas while the rally passes and would be allowed to resume business thereafter to avoid any harm,” the minister said.
Moreover, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, daughter of the deposed prime minister, shared the pictures and the video of the 'homecoming' rally when it was passing through the Murree Road.
Murree road at a standstill for more than 5.5 hours now. pic.twitter.com/FZ6cWMNpRF
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 9, 2017
Murree road comes to a standstill. pic.twitter.com/qjpMujH1tO
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 9, 2017
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