GT Road rally: Nawaz's caravan moving through Rawalpindi

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's caravan was moving through Rawalpindi and will continue its journey, via the GT Road, for his hometown of Lahore.

At present, Nawaz's cavalcade, surrounded by scores of party supporters, is at the Committe Chowk area of Rawalpindi and the former premier is expected to address party workers soon. 

A stage has been set up at Committee Chowk where PML-N leaders are expected to address their supporters which will be the caravan's first stop on the way to Lahore, reported APP. 

Geo News reported that the number of supporters in the caravan increased after Nawaz's rally reached Rawalpindi.

Sources told Geo News, that it is unlikely that the former prime minister will be able to leave Rawalpindi tonight.  

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader was seen shifting between a customised armoured container, made for his rally, and his personal vehicle. 

Various PML-N leaders were seen greeting their supporters and addressing them.

Deputy Speaker National Assembly Murtaza Javed Abbasi, while addressing supporters, said if will remain with the caravan even if takes a year to reach Lahore and will support his party and leader.

Strict security preparations have been made for the rally, with significant deployment of police personnel, including elite force commandos. A helicopter is also following the procession to provide security for the former premier’s rally. 

PML-N's caravan has covered a distance of around 10 kilometers since it set off.  

The rally is a show of force by the former prime minister after his disqualification by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case.  

Earlier, the former premier began the journey after departing from Punjab House around noon.

Senior government officials, including the prime minister, members of the federal cabinet and PML-N leaders, were present at Punjab House to see off Nawaz. 

Disgruntled party leader Chaudhry Nisar was conspicuous by his absence. 

Sources said President Mamnoon Hussain and Nawaz's daughter Maryam telephoned him to wish him well for the journey. 

Before getting into the vehicle at Punjab House, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar embraced Nawaz. 

Scores of supporters had amassed at D-Chowk, in front of the Parliament, as Nawaz's caravan was expected to formally begin its journey from there but the former premier did not make a stopover there and is en route.

The decision for Sharif to reach out to masses by travelling via GT Road was taken at a party meeting at Punjab House a couple of days ago.

Sharif's special aide on political affairs, Senator Asif Kirmani, said the route was changed after demands by PML-N's local leaders and MNAs.

Talking to the media Wednesday morning outside the Punjab House, Kirmani said he cannot say where Nawaz will address workers or when and where they will stay the night as it all 'depends on the love between the supporters and their leader'. 

Following his disqualification as the prime minister, Sharif vacated PM House on July 30 and headed to his Murree residence along with family members and close confidants. A week later, he moved to Punjab House, Islamabad.

'Respect SC verdict but have reservations'

Earlier on Tuesday, Sharif said although he respected the Supreme Court’s verdict ordering his disqualification, he had reservations about it.

In an informal chat with a group of journalists at Punjab House, the former prime minister wondered if the people’s mandate will ever be respected. He said even former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani’s case should not have led to his disqualification.

When asked if he would retire from politics, Sharif said, "I have to complete my century now," adding that he was not the one to sit idle at home.

PTI directs workers to stay peaceful, away from rally

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesman Fawad Chaudhry said Sharif's decision to rally to Lahore is a "futile effort to support his dying politics". 

"Nawaz Sharif appears to be willing to go to any length to open a front against the Supreme Court," he alleged.

Chaudhry said Tehreek-e-Insaf will not allow any conspiracy to create a crisis and law and order situation in the country to succeed.

He said the PTI chairman has directed his workers to stay peaceful and away from routes of the rally.