NA-120 triumph: Nawaz Sharif plans ‘thanksgiving’ rally

Former PM likely to hold more rallies to demonstrate political strength


Rameez Khan/Sardar Sikander September 28, 2017
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD: Deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif in his Tuesday’s press conference might have said he is ready to face accountability and that he does not seek confrontation. However, the PML-N supremo is likely to adopt an aggressive plan to reach out to the public in demonstration of his political strength.

Sharif is expected to visit London again to see his wife Kulsoom Nawaz, whose health condition has reportedly deteriorated. However, he will be returning soon to materialise his political prospects, the PML-N sources said.

The former PM is planning to hold a ‘thanksgiving’ gathering to express gratitude to his voters of NA-120 Lahore, his home constituency where Kulsoom Nawaz  stood victorious in September 17 by-polls.

Let the country run as per Constitution, pleads Nawaz

Sharif is also evaluating option to hold public gatherings in different parts of the country – including the PTI’s bastion of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – in line with the ruling camp’s strategy to mobilise public support in the face of serious challenges he is faced with.

Punjab’s Law Minister Rana Sanaullah spoke in implied confirmation when asked by The Express Tribune about Sharif’s plans to arrange a political gathering in NA-120 and other parts of the country.

“Mian Nawaz Sharif is the premier leader of PML-N by virtue of whom our party exists. He is here to survive the challenges and finally prevail. Nothing can stop Mian sahib from interacting with his people. He has addressed endless gatherings in the past and he would keep doing the same in future.”

In his much hyped presser at the Punjab House on Tuesday, the former PM conspicuously avoided sharing his future plans which led many to believe that a possible ‘deal’ between his party and the ‘powers that be’ was in the making.

However, the PML-N circles close to Sharif insist that the former PM has no plans to strike any deal with the security establishment, adding that the former PM reiterated plan to face the ongoing trial to dispel impression that he is shying away from accountability.

“Sharif is here to assert his position that he is not running away come what may. If he refuses to face the trial, it will be presumed that our leader is trying to skip accountability because something is ‘fishy’ on his part,” said a member of the federal cabinet, requesting anonymity.

Surprise return: Sharif is back — to face accountability

“This explains why he has announced to act in compliance as far as the accountability process is concerned despite being strongly opposed to it,” he added.

Sharif’s meetings in Lahore

Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday went to Model Town Party Office, where he met Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. According to sources, political dynamics in the National Assembly were discussed at length in the meeting.

It was also speculated that Sadiq was tasked to foil PTI’s attempt of changing the Leader of Opposition Khursheed Shah.  The speaker later left for Saudi Arabia for Umra with his family. Political pundits have connected his trip to the current political situation.

Later, Nawaz Sharif he met Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who arrived from London on Wednesday. Matter related to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) proceedings against Sharif and his family were discussed in the meeting. They also discussed appointment of a new NAB chairman.

A PML-N leader of Punjab chapter said during the meeting, the former PM shared with Shehbaz his plan to address a political gathering in NA-120. Reportedly, the CM Punjab responded cautiously sensing that the elder Sharif’s obvious views about the security establishment would create problems for Punjab government. Still, the insiders said, the former PM was adamant to materialise the plan.

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