LAHORE Aug 14 (TNS): Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, camped in his Jati Umra residence to run the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and the affairs of the federal government, is going over suggestions to hold a series of rallies in the second phase of his public contact campaign after his disqualification under a Supreme Court order.
“After getting an overwhelming response of the people during his homecoming from Islamabad, Mian Nawaz Sharif is thinking about holding another round of rallies in his mass contact campaign to ensure respect of their vote,” the ousted prime minister’s close aide, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, told the media on Sunday.
Mr Sharif spent Sunday with his family after his four-day journey ended at Data Darbar late on Saturday evening. “On Monday, Nawaz Sharif will hold meetings with party leaders and discuss proposals, including whether to take out another procession from Lahore to Faisalabad or Multan, or Islamabad to Abbottabad or Peshawar in the second phase of the campaign,” the former information minister said.
In reply to a question, he said: “It is not a long march. It is a campaign to meet people on roads who want respect of their vote. People are utterly disappointed to see the ouster of the prime minister they elected through the power of their vote. For them Nawaz Sharif has to come out on roads.” Asked if Mr Sharif would announce his future course of action on Independence Day at Hazuri Bagh, Mr Rashid said: “Mian sahab will announce this in a few days.”
“Mr Sharif is mobilizing the people, especially his workers in Punjab, for a bigger show in the days to come,” another PML-N leader said. “Nawaz is feeling wounded and is not ready to digest his disqualification. He will not rest and will stay on the roads till he manages to put pressure on those who matter to negotiate on his terms,” he said. He admitted that Mr Sharif had not paid heed to the advice of senior party leaders to sit back and let the PML-N government complete its tenure quietly. “Nawaz Sharif has decided to fight and there is no question of a second thought,” he added.
