Tit for tat: Charged PML-N workers take out rally in capital

Citizens face traffic jams at key intersections.

ISLAMABAD: Workers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s took out a rally in support of the government and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday evening.

Local party leaders led the rally to Aabpara despite the premier’s orders to halt pro-government rallies.

The rally was taken out from Tarnol and passed through sectors G-11 through G-8, Aabpara to culminate at the National Press Club in Sector F-6. Residents of the twin cities suffered massive traffic jams as a result of the PML-N rally.

Led by Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf Gujjar and other office bearers, the rally consisted of dozens of motorcyclists, cars and vans. The participants held national and party flags and danced to party songs, also chanting slogans in favour of Sharif.

Gujjar said even though the prime minister had asked to suspend all PML-N rallies, the workers and supporters wanted to express their loyalty towards the party and raise their voice against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) sit-ins. Gujjar asked participants to remain peaceful and keep a distance from PTI and PAT supporters, who are lodged outside the Parliament.

He said the demand of prime minister’s resignation is unconstitutional and will weaken democracy. “The government has accepted most demands of both the parties.

Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri too should show flexibility and give up the demand of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation,” he said.

Gujjar said the government wants to protect democracy and strengthen institutions, adding that the sit-ins will weaken the nascent democratic process in the country.

He said the rally participants will disperse peacefully at the press club.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2014.