RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that mandate of people is not being respected in Pakistan where elected prime ministers have been sent homes by handful people.
While addressing a gathering of people at Committee Chowk in Rawalpindi on his way back to his home town Lahore on late Wednesday night, the ousted prime minister without naming who was behind sending prime ministers to their homes said that no premier had completed his Constitutional tenure though millions of people elected their prime ministers but handful people send (sent) them to homes in minutes.
Nawaz Sharif said that conspiracies had been hatched against elected prime ministers in Pakistan where prime ministers had been hanged (referring Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto), jailed (referring himself and killed former prime minister Benazir Bhutto) and forcefully sent out of the country (referring himself and killed former prime minister Benazir Bhutto).
The deposed prime minister was of the view that this practice of removing prime ministers was witnessed during the last 70 years of political history of Pakistan and 18 elected prime ministers were removed but this joke with elected people must have an end. He stated that 18 prime ministers in Pakistan had not been allowed to fulfill their tenures.
Sharif further said that he did not wish to rule the country now but he wished that his nation should live honourable lives and his country should prosper.
The former prime minister said that he was providing jobs to people, working to boost economy of the country and was building a stronger Pakistan but he was disqualified.
His convoy reached Committee Chowk of Rawalpindi in 12 hours after departing from the Punjab House, Islamabad. The total journey from Punjab House Islamabad to Rawalpindi is around 15 kilometre.
It was Nawaz Sharif’s first public appearance after he was disqualified by Supreme Court of Pakistan that announced verdict on July 28, 2017.
Mian de naaray vajnay jee vajnay ne ….. Dubara rung sajnay jee sajnay ne ! pic.twitter.com/N8fqXjNid6
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 9, 2017
Thousands of his supporters joined his convoy when he entered in Rawalpindi from Islamabad at Faizabad Intersection.
Nawaz asked people were elected prime ministers not the people’s choice? “When will the people’s mandate be respected?, he questioned his supporters.
“Promise me you would get your mandate respected. Promise me you won’t allow your prime ministers to be humiliated this way”, added Nawaz.
“I am going home and I do not want you to get me restored,” he added.
Nawaz further said that was not hungry for power but he desired to change the country and to ensure respect of mandate of people.
His journey towards Lahore would continue till Friday and he would travel through G.T. Road.
یہ ہوتا ہے قائد ، یہ ہوتی ہے قائد سے محبت ، یہ ہوتا ہے جزبہ، یہ ہوتا ہے عوام کا فیصلہ 🙏 pic.twitter.com/9lLU2jseUy
— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) August 9, 2017
Earlier, the former prime minister while leading a political rally of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) entered the Rawalpindi City at 5 pm.
The rally started its journey for Lahore from Punjab House, Islamabad at forenoon and would pass through various cities and towns along the historic Grand Trunk (GT) Road commonly known as GT Road before it would reach Lahore by Friday.
The party workers gave a warm welcome to their leader and showered rose petals.
Aap ne jo mere saath mohabat ka salook kia hai, main sari zindagi uss ka badla nahi de sakta. pic.twitter.com/VizbeI1Urd
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 9, 2017
The city police had made elaborate security arrangements to ensure safety of the rally participants which included marchers and those onboard vehicles carrying placards and party flags.
A large number of PML-N workers had converged at various points to welcome their leader. The supporters had gathered at Faizabad, Committee Chowk, Kutchery Chowk, Sowan and Rawat on GT Road.
Meanwhile, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, former MNA Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Mayor Rawalpindi Sardar Muhammad Naseem, Inspector General of Punjab Police Arif Nawaz and City Police Officer Israr Ahmed Abbasi visited different points on Murree Road to check security arrangements.
Rana Sanaullah, during the visit issued various directions to further improve the security arrangements, besides opening of various entry points of Murree Road thus enabling people to join the caravan.
The CPO Rawalpindi informed that over 4000 police personnel including Elite Force Commandos had been deployed along the route of the rally.
The City Traffic Police had also devised a special traffic plan for the rally. Motorists not part of the rally had been directed to use alternate routes to reach their respective destinations.
To deal with any emergent situation, the health department had put all city hospitals on high alert. Ambulances, medicines, doctors and paramedical staff were put on standby.
