Pakistan's deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif began two days of rallies Wednesday aimed at demonstrating his political strength, making stops from the capital Islamabad to his hometown of Lahore, ignoring security threats and drawing thousands of supporters.

Sharif planned to spend at least two nights along Grand Trunk Road, the main road from Islamabad to Lahore, in his first public appearances since July 28, when the country's Supreme Court disqualified him from serving for concealing his assets.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who replaced Sharif days after his removal from office, hugged the three-time premier as he boarded a vehicle along with his supporters. Abbasi is a lawmaker from Sharif's ruling Pakistan Muslim League party.

Sharif's supporters showered rose petals on his vehicle and waved national and ruling party flags, chanting: "My Lion, your lion, Nawaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif." The lion was Sharif's election symbol when he won the 2013 vote.

Despite the heat and humidity, hundreds of people walked for about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) with Sharif's slow-moving convoy, as volunteers distributed bottles of water. Sharif's party decorated the route with his portraits and national flags.

Hours later, Sharif reached the garrison city of Rawalpindi in a sports vehicle and moved to an elaborately equipped container truck that was fitted with beds, air-conditioning and bathroom.

In Rawalpindi, Rana Sanaullah, a provincial minister for law, said the "sea of people" who joined the rally proves that Sharif "can be expelled from power but not from hearts."

Jamshed Ahmed Khan, a local trader, said the hot weather could not deter them from coming out to support their leader.

Two youths, Hamid Ali and Baz Mohammad, who came from the northwestern town of Sawabi to show their solidarity with Sharif, said they would even sacrifice their life for Sharif.

Local police officer Mohammad Ramzan estimated that up to 30,000 people were accompanying the convoy when it headed to the nearby garrison city of Rawalpindi.

Earlier, Asif Kirmani, a lawmaker from Sharif's party, said vehicles carrying supporters will pass through Islamabad's key road before entering Rawalpindi. From there the rally will continue on the main road leading to Lahore.

The rally comes a day after Sharif said he was determined to go to his home despite Monday's truck bombing in Lahore, in which two persons were killed.

Former information minister Pervaiz Rashid and top leaders from Sharif's party were seen in his car as he started his journey amid claims from opponents that Sharif's political career had ended after his disqualification by the court.

Sharif insists his removal from office did not mean the end of his future in politics. He plans to file a review petition in an effort to get his disqualification reversed.

Sharif says he wants to start a debate in parliament and the public to discuss why no elected prime minister has completed their full term in Pakistan, which has been ruled by army generals for more than half of its 70-year history.

Sharif has a history of rocky relations with the military, but since his removal he has exercised restraint in commenting on the sensitive issue of civil-military relations.

Last month's removal of Sharif briefly plunged Pakistan into political turmoil but parliament later elected senior lawmaker Abbasi as the country's new prime minister.

Sharif's party initially wanted Abbasi to serve as an interim premier for 45 days until Sharif's younger brother, Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab, secures a national assembly seat in a by-election.

But now Sharif says his party won't replace Abbasi with his brother.

Under Pakistan's laws, Sharif cannot lead his party because of his disqualification and he is expected to give this position to Shahbaz Sharif this week.

Sharif's rally comes a day after firebrand opposition cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri returned home abroad amid pending court cases against him in Pakistan. He wants justice for eight of his supporters killed in anti-government rallies in 2014.

Qadri has asked his supporters to wait for his call for holding a rally on the same Grand Trunk Road from where Sharif will travel this week.

——

Ahmed reported from Islamabad. Associated Press writers Zarar Khan in Islamabad, Anjum Naveed and Nabil Yousaf contributed this report from Rawalpindi.</s>A debate is going on both in media as well as some political parties about plan of former prime minister and PML (N) Quaid to travel to his native city of Lahore through GT Road. Some analysts and political leaders are dubbing it as an attempt to confront institutions while others see it as against the spirit of the Supreme Court judgement in Panama Papers case.

 Those criticising the move of former prime minister easily ignore the fact that he founded and nourished the party with great efforts and is not expected to rest or sit in a corner at a time when PML (N) is facing threats and challenges. The verdict, disqualification and resultant stepping down of Mian Nawaz Sharif from the coveted office of the Prime Minister have exposed the party to a serious existential threat and Mian Nawaz Sharif has every right to take all possible measures to strengthen his party and to keep up its popularity graph. The idea that it would amount to confrontation with other institutions is far-fetched as MNS as well as his other colleagues accepted the verdict and strictly following the law and Constitution in tackling the crisis. Now again, they are making it clear that they have no intention of attacking or targeting institutions and respect all of them. We must realise that at a time when its political rivals are trying to make inroads in the party, it is duty of Mian Nawaz Sharif and other leaders of PML (N) to mobilise masses and that too at a time when elections are almost near. Why his political opponents feel threatened from this show of strength, an activity that falls perfectly within the parameter of democratic practices? Mian Nawaz Sharif has plans to go to his home city and capital of the province where his own party is in power and he is not invading or locking down Islamabad. Anyhow, we would urge that in prevailing circumstances, it should be government’s foremost duty to provide foolproof security to Mian Nawaz Sharif.</s>ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (APP): Chairman Board of Investment (BoI), Miftah Ismail has said that former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was an asset for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the country.

 The people had selected PML-N with thumbing majority and elected thrice Muhammmed Nawaz Sharif as prime minister of Pakistan to run the affairs of the state, he said while talking to a private news channel.

 The former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was going to home in Lahore via G.T.Road after the verdict of the supreme court, he added.

 Commenting on the rally, he said that like other political

 parties, the former PM had also held the right to go in the public for apprising them about reservations over the decision.

 Muhammed Nawaz Sharif was most important figure in the country and the people had great attachment with their leader, he said.

 To a question, he said that PML-N had implemented the

 decision of the court regarding disqualification of the former

 prime minister.</s>Cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party today filed a petition with the Election Commission seeking restrictions on ousted premier Nawaz Sharif’s political activities in the wake of his disqualification by the Supreme Court. The petition was filed by advocate Babar Awan on behalf of Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Dr Yasmeen Rashid, hours before Sharif was to lead a rally to his hometown Lahore from Islamabad via the historic Grand Trunk (GT) Road.

The petition has been filed under Section 5 of the Political Parties Order 2002 and requests Sharif’s disqualification from holding any post in any political party, the Dawn reported. The opposition has decried Sharif’s continued role in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after his disqualification by the apex court in the Panama Papers case.

The petition further states that the party carrying Sharif’s name should be banned, asking that nominations made by him for the post of the prime minister and for the cabinet should be declared illegal. On July 28, a five-member Supreme Court bench disqualified 67-year-old Sharif for dishonesty and ruled that corruption cases be filed against him and his children, forcing the embattled leader out of office.</s>ISLAMABAD, Aug 8 (APP): Parliamentary Secretary for

 Information, Broadcasting and Member National Assembly, Mohsin

 Shahnawaz Ranjha on Tuesday said that former Prime Minister Nawaz

 Sharif was a popular leader among masses.

 Nawaz Sharif could avail immunity or use authority as prime

 minister but he did not claim this facility, he said while talking

 to a private news channel.

 Despite reservations, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N),

 had accepted the decision of the court regarding disqualification

 of former prime minister, he said.

 The former prime minister was going to home in Lahore after

 the decision, and the opponents would see the popularity of Nawaz

 Sharif during his travelling to G.T.Road, he said.

 The politics in the country had been changed, he said.

 To a question he said that Pakistan Muslim League was

 completely united under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif.</s>ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI - Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday started a massive political procession to Lahore, weeks after he was deposed by the Supreme Court.

Starting from Islamabad, the rally moved grindingly slow - only to reach nearby Rawalpindi by the night, where the leadership decided to stay and resume the journey in the morning.

Earlier in the day, thousands of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporters clogged the streets in Islamabad.

Wearing caps and ribbons of party colour, holding portraits of their leaders, waving flags and chanting political slogans, they poured out at the famous D Chowk to give their leader a warm farewell.

Nawaz Sharif is the 15th prime minister in country’s 70-year history to be ousted before completing a full term.

The Supreme Court sacked him last month after an investigation into corruption allegations against him and his family, bringing his historic third term in power to an unceremonious end.

The deposed premier now intends to travel on the GT Road, which passes through the heartland of his party support, gathering tens of thousands on the way and holding a huge public show in PML-N stronghold of Lahore to prove his popularity and relevance to country’s politics.

The charged crowd kept sloganeering, and singing anthems in favour of the PML-N leader for hours as the caravan headed towards Rawalpindi at a snail’s pace.

“It’s the real JIT (joint investigation team). It’s the supreme court of the masses. People from all walks of life have thronged the venue to give their judgment [in favour of Nawaz],” said Muhammad Khan Nazir, an MNA from Waziristan who was participating in the rally.

He said around 200 vehicles would be joining the ex-PM’s convey to Lahore in the (Thursday) morning.

Nawaz Sharif briefly spoke to the people in Rawalpindi, saying he would soon present a roadmap to rid the nation of the problems it was facing.

About his disqualification, he said he was not expecting it after what he had done for Pakistan. That decision was not only an insult to an elected PM but also to the 200 million people who voted him to power.

“Come on people and make a promise with me - that you will support Nawaz Sharif to restore the respect of public mandate,” he said to a cheerful crowd on the Murree Road.

At the same time, however, he said he had no desire to become prime minister now.

The media channels covering the rally were sharply divided over the size of the crowed, some calling it a gathering of a few thousand and others terming it a ‘sea of people’.

Realistically speaking, the local party leadership as well as the PML-N chapters of AJK, KP and Fata remained quite successful in gathering an impressive number of people.

However, the number of female supporters was conspicuously small. The ex-PM’s convoy took almost three hours to leave the Constitution Avenue, where, among thousands of men, only a handful of women were seen holding banners in favour of Nawaz Sharif.

Thousands of police sealed off main streets in the capital and surrounding areas as fears lingered over security after a truck bomb exploded in Lahore Monday, killing one person and injuring dozens.

Sardar Ahmed from Rawal Town roped an effigy of PTI chief Imran Khan on his car and was inviting people to disgrace it.

“He (Imran) is responsible for the removal of our PM,” said Sardar.

The diehard supporter said Nawaz Sharif was above all the other leaders and court decision could not dent his popularity.

The political workers were seen rushing towards the Black Beamer carrying the deposed PM and being strictly guarded by the security personnel.

“Nawaz Sharif could be removed from the premiership but not from people’s hearts,” said Anwar Ali, who hails from AJK.

The law enforcement agencies staff kept facilitating the supporters of the ruling party on the way. Party activists wearing green caps and riding bikes were escorting the main convey.

“It is my wish that Shahid Khaqan Abbasi remains prime minister till the end of the tenure,” Nawaz Sharif said in his brief remarks after a high-level party meeting before departing for his rally.

He expressed his confidence in the newly-elected premier, hoping Abbasi will complete the work that he [Nawaz] started.

Nawaz also said his brother Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is the pride of Pakistan and Punjab, adding his work in the province has become a role model for others.

Scores of party leaders and workers accorded a warm welcome to former prime minister upon his arrival at Faizabad Flyover.

The charged workers of PML-N showered rose petals on the convoy, which reached there from Islamabad’s D-Chowk covering just 24kms in five hours.

The workers were chanting slogans in favour of former premier and against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan and Awami Muslim League President Sheikh Rashid Ahmed – the duo which played key role in the dethronement of their leader.

Some of them were dancing around the cavalcade of Mian Nawaz Sharif, who also waved to the cheering supporters of his party from his vehicle.

Moving at a very slow pace due to rush of participants, the rally entered the limits of Rawalpindi from the federal capital around 5:30pm.

The whole Faizabad area and both sides of Murree Road were decorated with posters and hoardings carrying pictures of Mian Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif, former federal minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, MNA Hanif Abbasi, Rawalpindi Mayor Sardar Nasim, ex-MNA Malik Shakil Awan, MNA Malik Abrar Ahmed and other leaders.

A few ministers of the PML-N who were accompanying the former prime minister also addressed the media and supporters from their vehicles.

Addressing media persons, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi said he would give Nawaz Sharif unconditional support.

He said that he could resign from his office but would not leave his leader alone during his struggle for democracy.

“A large number of people from the twin cities and even other parts of the country have arrived here to support Mian Nawaz Sharif,” said minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.

Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said that though Mian Nawaz Sharif accepted the verdict of the SC in the Panama Papers case, people of Pakistan have rejected it.

He said there was only one Prime Minister of Pakistan and he was Mian Nawaz Sharif. Tallal predicted it could take seven days to the rally to reach Lahore.

“The political opponents can witness the popularity of Mian Nawaz Sharif,” said Daniyal Aziz.

He claimed the ‘whole Pakistan’ was on road to see a glimpse of the former premier.

“The size of the rally is expanding with every passing minute and its getting out of control,” he said.

Abid Sher Ali, Minister of State for Power, was seen chanting slogans in favour of Nawaz and against political rivals Sheikh Rashid and Imran Khan, while standing on the rooftop of his vehicle.

Local police had taken foolproof security arrangements for the convoy. Besides Special Branch officials, the personnel of other intelligence agencies were also in action to keep a watch.

Rescue 1122, ambulances and mobile jammer vehicles were also part of the security plan.

A helicopter kept hovering over the rally to monitor the security situation. The LEAs also checked the route with sniffer dogs and scanners.

Walkthrough gates were placed in Committee Chowk where participants of the rally were only allowed to go on Murree Road after comprehensive checking by the LEAs’ personnel.

Earlier, the workers of the PML-N from Murree, Kotli Sattian and other parts of the city reached Faizabad in the shape of rallies.

They also brought dancing horses and drummers to give a warm welcome to their beloved leaders.

According to sources, the majority of supporters of the PML-N belonged to Murree, the home constituency of PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, provincial minister for labour and manpower.

Help me restore respect of public mandate: Nawaz</s>ISLAMABAD, Aug 9 (APP): Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Wednesday bid farewell to Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who would lead a rally while returning home to Raiwind following his disqualification by the Supreme Court in the Panama Case.

 Those who came to see him off included Governor Khyber

 Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, almost all members of the federal cabinet, besides the Prime Minister of AJK Raja Farooq Haider, parliamentarians and party workers.

 Prime Minister Khaqan Abbasi warmly hugged Nawaz Sharif before he sat in his car surrounded by large number of party workers who were chanting slogans of “Wazir-e-Azam Nawaz Sharif”. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also hugged Nawaz Sharif while cabinet members warmly shook hands. Nawaz Sharif waved to the workers and PML-N

 gathered around his vehicle.

 The session of the National Assembly was also adjourned owing to lack of quorum as the ruling party members opted to head to the Punjab House.

 A specially designed armoured Container has been prepared for Nawaz Sharif, from where he will address public rallies along the route.</s>ISLAMABAD, Aug 9 (APP): Senior Leader of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz

 (PML-N), Dr Musadik Malik Wednesday said thousands of people had expressed their love

 and trust in former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by participating in his rally.

 Despite reservation over Panama Papers verdict, Nawaz Sharif had

 implemented it to strengthen state’s institutions in letter and spirit in the country, he said

 while talking to a private news channel.

 “Strengthening institutions means to strengthen democratic

 system in the country,” he said.

 The former prime minister had the democratic right to go

 home in a rally, Dr Musadik said.

 The people had given votes to Nawaz Sharif and the former

 prime minister wanted to thank them, he said.

 The PML-N had provided the security to the rallies taken out

 by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf during sit-ins, he said.</s>ISLAMABAD, Aug 9 (APP): Thrice deposed Prime Minister and PML-N leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Wednesday embarked on a historic political journey to his hometown Lahore along with thousands of his party supporters after his disqualification by the apex court on charges which he refused to accept but still implemented the decision.

 Meeting the same fate in 2017 as he met in 1993 and 1999,

 Sharif this time decided to convey his displeasure to the masses, contrary to previous democratic fiascos when either he opted not to show his power or go to exile.

 This time he opted for a long journey to Lahore through

 Grand Trunk (GT) Road where he will address his party workers at different points and brief them on reasons that led to another incomplete tenure as prime minister.

 Nawaz Sharif departed for Lahore from Punjab House Islamabad Wednesday morning with plans to remain on the road for minimum of three days before reaching his destination where an important election in NA-120, the seat fallen vacant after his disqualification, would take place in September.

 Amid tight security after recent Lahore blast, he

 started his journey along with thousands of party workers

 and supporters from across the country. He would be addressing party workers at different stopovers during his journey.

 Around 2,500 security personnel were deployed on his route

 in the federal capital from Punjab House to Faizabad from where he entered the jurisdiction of Punjab province. Nawaz Sharif will be voyaging through different towns and cities of Punjab province.

 Thousands of party workers from KP led by Engineer Amir Muqam, the stronghold of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf also joined Nawaz Sharif while local leadership in twin cities also pulled large number of party workers for a gracious send off to their leader.

 Elaborate security arrangements were made for the rally

 with deployment of 2500 security personnel deployed in the federal capital, 600 from Missa Kaswal to Jhelum river on G T Road other than deployment at different places on his route to Lahore. Moreover, 1200 personnel and commandoes have been deployed for

 security of the rally. As many as 33 ambulances and nine fire

 brigade vehicles were accompanying the rally while more than 6000 personnel have been deployed along G T Road for the security of rally.

 People had started reaching twin cities and Punjab House from early in the morning carrying banners, posters and placards bearing slogans and photographs of their leaders. Party workers set up reception camps along G T Road to accord warm welcome to their leader. Caravans also reached from Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Attock and other areas adjoining the twin cities.

 Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and cabinet members of the PML-N, party leaders and large number of workers and supporters also arrived at the Punjab House for a warm send off to Nawaz Sharif.

 The rally departed from Punjab House around 1130 hours with special prayers and best wishes for the success of democracy, masses welfare and a strong Pakistan.

 Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi bid farewell to Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

 Those who came to see him off included Governor Khyber

 Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, almost all members of the federal cabinet, besides the Prime Minister of AJK Raja Farooq Haider, parliamentarians and party workers.

 Prime Minister Khaqan Abbasi warmly hugged Nawaz Sharif before he sat in his car surrounded by large number of party workers who were chanting slogans of “Wazir-e-Azam Nawaz Sharif”. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also hugged Nawaz Sharif while cabinet members warmly shook hands. Nawaz Sharif waved to the workers gathered around his vehicle.

 The session of the National Assembly was also adjourned owing to lack of quorum as the ruling party members opted to head to the Punjab House.

 A specially designed armoured container had been prepared for Nawaz Sharif, from where he would address public rallies along the route.

 Minister for Defence Engineer Khurram Dastagir said that

 people of Pakistan, who had used their right of vote for Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and elected Nawaz Sharif as leader of the country, were now expressing their great attachment with him.

 He said that Nawaz Sharif was going to home via GT Road after the decision of the apex court. He wanted to share his concern over disqualification with the people, who had

 elected him thrice as prime minister, he added.

 Huge Chinese investment in the shape of China Pakistan

 Economic Corridor (CPEC), and growing relations with regional countries, including Central Asian States, were the result of policies of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, he said.

 Khurram appreciated the role of Pakistan armed forces in the

 war against terrorism. He said Pakistan had given a lot of

 sacrifices in wiping out the menace of terrorism.

 Replying to a query, he said the PML-N had made all

 arrangements with its own funds to welcome former prime minister.

 Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme Marvi Memon said the passion of workers for their leader Nawaz Sharif was worth seeing and at the time he would reach Lahore, his popularity would open eyes of the opponents.

 Marvi Memon said the rally was just a start and the passion of workers of PML-N would touch new heights in coming hours.

 MNA Sardar Awais Ahmad Laghari on Wednesday said holding a rally was a constitutional right of the party.

 Former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was leading a rally from Islamabad to Lahore via Grand Truck (GT) road on the demand of people of country, he said talking to a private news channel.

 Replying to a question, he said during Pakistan

 Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) sit-ins at D-Chowk, its chief Imran Khan had threatened to topple the elected government which was an unconstitutional act.

 Chairman Board of Investment (BoI), Miftah Ismail said that

 former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was an asset for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the country.

 Commenting on the rally, he said that like other political

 parties, the former PM had also held the right to go in the public for apprising them about reservations over the decision.

 To a question, he said that PML-N had implemented the

 decision of the court regarding disqualification of the former

 prime minister.

 Senior PML-N leader Dr Musadik Malik said thousands of

 people had expressed their love and trust in former Prime

 Minister Nawaz Sharif by participating in his rally.

 Despite reservations over the Panama Papers verdict, Nawaz Sharif had implemented it to strengthen state institutions in letter, he said while talking to a private news channel.

 The PML-N had provided the security to the rallies taken out

 by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf during sit-ins, he said.

 Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders thanked the party workers for their active participation in the Islamabad-Lahore rally led by former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

 “The party workers’ passion, solidarity with their

 beloved leader Nawaz Sharif and participation in the rally is

 exemplary,” they said while addressing the rally participants

 at the I-9 Interchange.

 Minister for Railways Saad Rafique said active

 participation of a huge number of PML-N workers in the rally

 indicated that Muhammad Nawaz Sharif lived in hearts of

 the public and he would continue to rule their hearts.

 “I congratulate the workers of PML-N for participating

 in the rally, their participation in the rally indicate that

 conspiracies cannot cause any dent to popularity of Nawaz

 Sharif,” he added.

 He said journey of nine kilometers from Punjab House

 to I-8 interchange was completed in five hours, and the rally’s arrival time in Lahore could not be determined, keeping in view the current pace.

 President of PML-N Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Amir Muqam appreciated the charged party workers and termed the rally-day a historic in the country’s politics.

 He said, “The people are with Muhammad Nawaz Sharif

 due to their love and loyalty with Pakistan and he will remain so in the hearts of people.”

 Prime Minister Azad Jammu Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider,

 Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman and

 the PML-N leadership from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab are participating in the rally.

 Minister for Climate Change, Senator Musahidullah Khan said

 people were warmly receiving the rally of former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, who was living in the hearts of masses.

 Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government would

 foil all the conspiracies against the democracy, he said talking

 to a private news channel.

 He said the continuity of democratic system was imperative

 for stability and prosperity of the country.

 Minister of State for Interior Talal Chauhdry said Nawaz

 Sharif was the prime minister of the people and their hearts.

 He said people came out to warmly greet to their cherished

 leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

 The rally of forme prime minister would conclude at the

 shrine of Hazrat Data Darbar Lahore, the minister said.

 Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal said the people were warmly

 welcoming the former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, who was leaving for Lahore via G.T.Road.

 People were expressing their emotions and love with Nawaz

 Sharif during the rally, he added.

 The minister said the opponents were worried about this

 situation and public participation in the rally.

 He said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) would witness the

 popularity of the PML-N among masses and their rising support in days to come.

 Minister of State for Capital Administration and

 Development Division (CADD) Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, who was also in the rally, said “We will tell the masses that Nawaz Sharif was disqualified on the basis of Iqama not corruption”.

 Minister for Health Services and Regulations Saira Afzal Tarar

 said conspiracies against Nawaz Sharif would die down

 with the passage of time and he would emerge victorious against all odds.

 Senator Asif Saeed Kirmani said huge gathering in the rally

 reflected love of the masses for the former prime minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

 He said, “People are eagerly waiting to have a glimpse of their leader Nawaz Sharif. They know that their leader Nawaz Sharif was not involved in corruption and faced victimization”, he said.

 Leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)

 Hanif Abbasi said that today PML-N rally alongwith the former PM Nawaz Sharif on his departure from Islamabad to Lahore was the biggest political event in the country.

 Hanif while rejecting the allegation against the party from

 the opposition said “We never invited the public on calls and they are not being manipulated and participated in the rally on their sweet will”.

 The rally led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was warmly welcomed at D Chowk by thousands of workers reaching here from different parts of country.

 The participants were carrying banners and placards bearing

 pictures of party leaders and slogans for PML-N and Nawaz Sharif.

 The participants were also chanting slogans for their leader

 extending their full support.

 Former Prime Minister waived to party workers and responded to their support and slogans. Fool proof security arrangements have been made for the rally during its voyage within the capital territory.

 Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the rally is

 being arranged by the people on their own will and desire, adding that this was public decision and public opinion cannot be wrong”.

 He said that it is purely public rally and it has no link with

 the court decision. He said rally is not against anybody but it is people’s desire to show their love for Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.</s>PESHAWAR: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Amir Muqam has said that the party workers live and die just for the party leader.

A PML-N’s rally from Peshawar to Islamabad is being lead by Amir Muqam which will then be continued with the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and head towards to Lahore via the Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) today.

“Slogans of Nawaz Sharif Zindabad are being raised in KP,” he said. During media conference he claimed that they will show Imran Khan that Imran Khan the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s public is with Nawaz Sharif.

Blaming Imran of having double standards and policies he stated, “Imran Khan paralyzed Islamabad during his 128-day sit-in at D-Chowk. But we are conducting this rally from KP without any government machinery. However, it was seen last year that KP chief minister and others while utilizing all provincial resources were on their way to attack Islamabad.”

He clearly said that grievances have been raised now that Nawaz Sharif is returning home but those tactics were lawful for Imran then.

He affirmed that, “The people are going along with Nawaz Sharif out of their love and loyalty with him. We are committed to the public and not to the opposition. Nawaz Sharif was the prime minister yesterday and will also be in the future,”
Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif goes home after his disqualification by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case.