By Muhammad Luqman
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has begun his journey to home town Lahore from the capital Islamabad at the head of rally with an aim to show his political muscle , ignoring all security threat warnings.
The deposed politician plans to address party workers at Jhelum and Gujranwala while spending at least two nights along Pakistan’s major artery, Grand Trunk Road, in his first public appearances after July 28 Supreme Court verdict that disqualified him from holding any public office for concealing his assets.
The carcade accompanying the former Prime Minister passed through Islamabad’s key road before entering Rawalpindi. From there the rally will continue on 248-kilometres long main road leading to Lahore.
The rally comes a day after Sharif said he was determined to go to his home despite fruit-laden truck bombing in Lahore on Monday evening.
Nawaz Sharif believes that his removal from office did not mean the end of his 37 years long political career.
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.
July 28 removal of Sharif briefly plunged Pakistan into political turmoil but parliament later elected senior lawmaker Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the country’s new prime minister.
Pakistan Muslim League (N) initially wanted Abbasi to serve as an interim premier for 45 days until Sharif’s younger brother, Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab.
But now Nawaz Sharif says his party won’t replace Abbasi with his brother till next general elections.
Under Pakistan’s Political Parties Act, Nawaz Sharif cannot lead his party anymore because of his disqualification and is expected to be succeeded by his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif.
(This is developing story)
