Maryam Nawaz to lead PML-N caravan

Workers instructed to prepare for a sit-in in Islamabad to counter PTI’s power show

LAHORE:

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-Q) Maryam Nawaz, who has been conspicuously missing from the political scene since no-confidence move manoeuvrings picked up steam, will lead will party’s caravan towards Islamabad, the party announced on Friday.

Party workers have been instructed to gear up for a possible sit-in. According to the issued circular, the party has announced that Maryam Nawaz alongside Hamza Shehbaz would lead a PML-N caravan from Lahore on March 24 to reach Islamabad by March 27 for PDM rally. As per the schedule, the PML-N caravan would leave from Lahore on the said date and reach Gujranwala, which is merely a ninety-minute drive otherwise, where it will stay for the night.

The convoy would leave for Jhelum the following day, encamping there for the night. Later, on March 26, the caravan would march towards Rawalpindi, which is a short distance away. Finally, on March 27, the PML-N rally would reach the PDM rally in Islamabad. The circulars stated that the stay in Islamabad could last two days or more, indicating a possible sit-in scenario to counter PTI’s power show.

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All party workers and office-bearers of Lahore, Sahiwal and Faisalabad have been instructed to join in from Lahore, while many belonging to other constituencies and adjoining areas of Gujranwala and Jehlum, were instructed to welcome the party caravan in the said cities, and join in for the next day.
Workers and office bearers of Southern Punjab were instructed to welcome party caravan at Rawalpindi and subsequently join in the rally.

All divisional, district, corporation, union council office-bearers of the party were instructed to join in the PML-N caravan "in the fight for supremacy of democracy and against anti-people economic policies, perpetual price hikes and ever-increasing corruption in the country and ensure the success of the PDM rally".

Party office bearers were instructed to hold meetings, to ensure their preparation for the march.
A PML-N leader on Tuesday had confirmed to The Express Tribune that Maryam Nawaz was being brought back into the arena for the final bout against the government. It was said that the party, after observing that certain powerful quarters have gone completely silent, has taken the decision of bringing Maryam back.

It is pertinent to mention there that Maryam Nawaz had largely stayed away from the recent round talks between the opposition parties regarding the no-confidence motion. The talks from PML-N were only led by party president Shehbaz Sharif. Maryam Nawaz interestingly was a part of previous anti-government movements and used to lead her party, sometimes single-handedly despite her position of vice president.

The leader said that Maryam Nawaz’s presence had previously raised red flags in some powerful quarters, which is why all efforts made by the party under her lead failed to materialize in any way.
The decision was taken after careful deliberations, the leader added. He said that Maryam Nawaz is the face of the party and remains the strongest crowd puller. She was a must, to maximize the chances of success of any street movement of their party, he added.