PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, whose three terms as premier were marred by corruption allegations and standoffs with the powerful military, is set to receive a rousing welcome when he returns to the country on Saturday after remaining in self-imposed exile for four years in the UK.
His party is giving final touches to the arrangements for the homecoming of Nawaz, 73, who, like all other prime ministers in Pakistan’s history, failed to complete any of his three terms in 1990-93, 1997-99, and 2013-17.
He will embark on an election campaign to brighten his party’s prospects in the general elections scheduled to be held in January next year.
On Saturday, the PML-N released a song during a function in Lahore for the return of the party supremo, with the top leadership describing it as Nawaz’s vision of a developed, progressive and peaceful Pakistan.
The song was scheduled to be released on Oct 18 at a formal ceremony but on the instructions of PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, the event was postponed to mourn the brutal Israeli attack at a hospital in Gaza in which hundreds of innocent Palestinians embraced martyrdom.
Read Vote date hinges on Nawaz’s arrival: PML-N
The song has been sung by famous singer Sahir Ali Bagga, and prepared by the PML-N’s central broadcasting department.
The PML-N supremo, on his arrival on Saturday, is scheduled to address a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan. It has been decided to restrict the entry of public to Shahi Qila (Lahore Fort) for one day for this purpose.
A helipad at Shahi Qila will be set up on Friday (today), sources said. Nawaz will arrive at Shahi Qila from the airport via a helicopter. From there, he will travel in a car to reach the Greater Iqbal Park, where he will address a public gathering.
Addressing the launching ceremony of the song, PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz termed October 21 as the day of “hope and happiness”.
She praised the PML-N activists, saying that they stood strong in the face of tyranny and did not let Nawaz, his brother Shehbaz and the party down.
Maryam said she was convinced that the PML-N was the biggest party in Pakistan, adding that ideological bonds were greater than blood ties.
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She branded the song as a “story of the PML-N and its supremo’s ups and downs” and saluted Shehbaz on behalf of the party for his loyalty towards Nawaz.
Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz felicitated Maryam on presenting an “enthralling song”, noting that a melody better than this could not have been prepared.
He hoped that the biggest rally in the country’s history would be held on October 21.
It was reported that rose petals would be showered in Lahore using Cessna planes on Nawaz’s arrival.
The PML-N has contacted a private airline company for this purpose, and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a notification, granting permission to the party to shower the petals.
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