Maryam barred from holding rally in Mandi Bahauddin

Authorities in Punjab's Mandi Bahauddin district barred the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) from holding a public rally – scheduled for Sunday – after denying permission to party vice-president Maryam Nawaz, Express News reported.

Security reasons were cited for denial of permission and PML-N was urged to consider another venue for the rally.

However, according to NNI sources, PML-N has decided to hold the rally "under any circumstances", with Maryam's husband, Captain Safdar, having visited and surveyed the district.

"Even if we don't get permission, we will still hold the rally," he said during his survey.

Maryam to address Mandi Bahauddin rally on July 7

Speaking to the media, Safdar had stated: "Niazi [Imran] government's time is up".

"Maryam will start a protest against the government from Mandi Bahauddin. The July 7 rally is against those who have brought an inflation tsunami," he added.

Last month, Maryam had hinted at launching a mass contact drive to rally support against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s economic policies.

Maryam on June 20 while visiting families of Khawaja brothers in Lahore said she was tasked by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to contact the masses. She said the drive was not launched for the sake of Nawaz Sharif – who is currently in jail – but for the sake of people in misery due to poor governance.