PML-N to start public contact drive from Dec 30

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to start a public contact campaign from December 30. Initially public rallies will be held in every divisional headquarters and the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif will address these gatherings.

“The party should fully prepare for midterm elections or to deal with any emergency situation,” Sharif said on Monday during a high-level PML-N meeting chaired by him and the PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. Former interior minister Ahsan iqbal briefed the members on organisational matters.

According to the INP and the NNI, the party decided to launch a public mass contact campaign from Dec 30. Public rallies will be addressed by six senior PML-N leaders including Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Asif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Mushahidullah Khan.

If Nawaz Sharif is convicted in the ongoing corruption cases whose verdicts are set to be announced next week, Sharif political scion Maryam Nawaz, who has avoided public interaction since her release from Adiala Jail in September, will also address the rallies.

Addressing the party leaders, Sharif said economy is the biggest challenge of the time. “The incumbent government does not have the capacity to handle the affairs of the country and it has ruined the economy of the country just in 100 days.”

Sharif advised that party offices be set up in all the provincial headquarters. He advised the party leaders to improve contacts with the party workers and to prepare the party for any emergency situation.

Nawaz Sharif said the PML-N has always called for stability of democracy. Only a stable democracy can guarantee progress and prosperity and the PML-N will continue playing its role in this regard.

Shehbaz Sharif expressed his satisfaction over the organisational issues and took the participants into confidence regarding the joint strategy.

The meeting expressed concern over non-issuance of production orders of the former railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, who was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) last week.

The consultative meeting will once again be held on Thursday and Sharif will preside over the meeting.

According to sources, the PML-N has started preparations for commemoration of its foundation day. A convention will be held in Lahore to mark the event where Nawaz Sharif will address the workers and announce the future strategy.

Maryam Nawaz will also attend the convention. However, it could not be confirmed if she will address the gathering. Special ceremonies will be held in all the cities of the country in connection with the foundation day.

Earlier, former PM Sharif arrived at the ministers’ enclave in the federal capital to see his brother Shehbaz Sharif along with other party leaders. Nawaz Sharif enquired about his brother’s health and wellbeing.