Pakistan

Qamar’s children lead rally, submit his ticket

Hundreds of PML-N supporters accompany the arrested leaders kids to judicial complex

Qaiser Shirazi June 28, 2018

Children of PML-N candidate Qamarul Islam coming to submit his party ticket at Rawalpindi Judicial Complex. PHOTO: NNI

RAWALPINDI: Children of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Qamarul Islam on Wednesday submitted father’s party ticket for NA-59 and PP-10 to the returning officers of their constituencies.

Qamarul Islam, who has been recently arrested by NAB over the Saaf Paani scandal, was set to contest elections against former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. Qamar’s 12-year-old son Salarul Islam, and 15-year-old daughter Uswa Islam submitted the party candidature for their father in presence of a large gathering at district courts.

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A cavalcade of 35 wagons full of PML-N supporters reached the Judicial Complex Rawalpindi, while the children leading the caravan were seen with garlands and waving victory signs.

The PML-N supporters kept chanting slogans against the arrest of Qamar. The children were also accompanied by their uncle, Faisal Islam, Qamar’s brother.

The squad first submitted party ticket for NA-59 to the returning officer Asim Hafeez, a district and sessions judge in Rawalpindi, and then went to Shabrez Akhtar, the civil judge deployed as the returning officer for PP-10.

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After the submission, the children told the media that the arrest by the anti-graft body was an attempt to keep their father out from the elections. “It is an act of revenge on our father and an attempt to steal our mandate,” the 12-year-old maintained, “We will thwart this conspiracy with all available means. I will lead the election campaign for my father with support from my sister and my uncle.”

Salar thanked the hundreds of PML-N supporters who had joined him during the submission of tickets, saying that the immense number of PML-N supporters had revitalised their spirits and gave them hope for a successful election campaign. “Those behind the arrest of Qamarul Islam should know that their nefarious motives will not materialise” he said, hoping that PML-N will win elections on both seats and will credit the victory to Nawaz Sharif.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2018.