PML-N makes history with massive rally

The PML-N made history on Saturday with its massive rally outdoing all its previous shows in Lahore and elsewhere as its supremo Nawaz Sharif finally returned home after years of self-imposed exile.

The power show marked his grand re-entry into Pakistani politics in the hopes of reviving the political fortunes of his party.

The former prime minister had departed from London on October 11, making a stop in Saudi Arabia for about a week before heading to Dubai on Oct 19 – the same say that Nawaz, who had been declared a proclaimed offender on Dec 2, 2020, was granted relief of protective bail until October 24.

The relief paved the way for the remarkable power show on Saturday.

Finally, on Saturday, Nawaz Sharif embarked on his long-awaited homecoming journey with party leaders. They flew on a chartered flight to Lahore, with a brief stopover in Islamabad to complete immigration and legal procedures.

The formalities, including biometric verification for his court case, were carried out in the airport's VVIP lounge. It is pertinent to note that the privilege of doorstep biometric verification was exclusively granted to the PML-N supremo, the three-time elected premier who visibly seems to have the government’s machinery at his disposal.

Later, his plane touched down at the old airport in Lahore where he was rather treated like a state guest as he was whisked away in a helicopter to Lahore Fort, which is located next to the Greater Iqbal Park where the rally was scheduled to take place.

After offering Maghreb prayers at the fort along with his brother and party president Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz and others, left for the venue.

At around 6:50 pm, a car piloted by police, carrying Nawaz Sharif in the front seat and driven by Hamza Shehbaz Sharif, rolled into view of all the TV screens that were airing these visuals live.

On reaching the venue, Nawaz stepped onto the stage to receive a warm welcome from his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif, brother Shehbaz Sharif, nephew Hamza Shehbaz, and various party leaders including Khawaja Saad Rafique, Ayaz Sadiq, Khawaja Asif, Marrium Aurangzeb, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, and others.

Turnout

The venue packed with the PML-N supporters did provide good optics for the party that thus far had struggled with putting up decent power shows.

Despite falling short of the claim to gather one million workers, the turnout at the venue was still massive, even compared to the rival PTI's rallies at the same venue. However, the atmosphere in Lahore remained indifferent as the level of enthusiasm witnessed during PTI rallies was noticeably absent among the general public.

The majority of the turnout consisted of individuals who were brought along by former members of the party's parliament.

This particular aspect was highly visible throughout the venue as groups of individuals paraded around with placards featuring the names of party leaders and their respective constituencies. It resembled the flag bearers seen during the opening ceremonies of sports events, symbolising the origin of each group.

Former parliamentarians from Punjab were assigned various targets, with the greatest number of individuals assigned to the former ticket holders of Lahore.

Despite the open field for PML-N leaders and the full support of the government, Lahore city largely remained indifferent to the event, as the organic crowd was largely missing.

However, upon closer inspection, these convoys revealed a large number of slum dwellers and labourers.

According to the Lahore police, approximately 60 to 70 thousand people were in attendance at the rally, while the special branch reported 75 thousand individuals at the gathering.

Meanwhile, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) estimated the number of people present to be between 65 to 70 thousand, while military intelligence suggested a figure of 80,000 to 90,000. However, according to a sensitive state institution, the Minar-e-Pakistan ground housed around 150,000 attendees.

Tight security was set in and around the venue. The Health Department has also brought two general checkup vans to pay their own tribute to the rally attendees. A number of government officials from various departments, including LWMC, were also present, as reported by many.

‘Competing with the spectre of past’

However, it is worth mentioning here that other than the state resources at their disposal, and with their arch-rival behind bars, and his party dismantled, PML-N is practically competing with only the spectre of its past.

Nawaz Sharif was the only main speaker of the day. Others who briefly spoke prior to him were his daughter Maryam Nawaz who kept the crowd on its toes prior to his arrival, and Shehbaz Sharif.

Addressing the rally, Nawaz also made it abundantly clear that he would not lock horns with the establishment and instead follow the policy of reconciliation, claiming that he would not seek revenge and expressed his desire to utilise his energy on serving people.

He said that those who ask from the Orange Line, ask this from Green Line, ask this from the motorway, ask our narrative from the Chagai atomic bombs, ask our narrative from the dollar rate.

This also was another hint of prioritising the policy of development and progression on the policy of aggression. He said that in view of the problems faced by Pakistan, they must focus on the reasons (of their failure).

He said that the essence of forty-year politics is that all institutions, parties and pillars of state will have to work together if we are to earn a place on the world stage and reiterated on need to work together.

Further emphasising this particular point, he towards the end of his speech again said that he has shown patience and hasn’t said anything that he shouldn’t have said, alluding to a change in position that he had taken on the insistence of his brother and party president Shehbaz Sharif.