PML-N expects massive turnout in today's rally

By Faizan Bangash:
LAHORE: The PML-N is all set to launch its 'Go Zardari Go' drive and will take out its first rally today in Lahore, which is expected to be attended by a large number of party workers.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif will lead the rally, which starts from the historic Nasser Bagh and concludes at the Bhati Chowk, situated in NA-119, not only a stronghold of the PML-N but also a constituency of Hamza Shahbaz.

Apart from PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, who is on a visit to Turkey these day, the PML-N leadership, including opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Senator Raja Zafarul Haq, Senator Mushahidullah, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Khawaja Asif and others will attend.

The rally, which will start in the afternoon with the agenda of ousting the 'corrupt rulers', has been termed the 'end of the beginning' of the Zardari government by the PML-N leadership which believes that days of the present government were numbered.

"The rally will prove that the masses are with the PML-N in its efforts to get rid of the inefficient and corrupt rulers. They will lay the foundation of a new Pakistan," Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said while addressing a gathering of party workers on Thursday. He said new scandals of the federal government were regularly being brought forward and PIA, Steel Mills and other institutions had been ruined.

"The rally will sink the boat of corruption and A and B teams of President Zardari will be defeated with public power," Senator Pervaiz Rasheed said while talking to The News. He said the public rally would soon turn into a tsunami of people and prove that people had no confidence in the rulers who had done nothing for the nation.

PML-N Information Secretary Senator Mushahidullah Khan said the rulers would be sent home with public support as their presence in power wasn't in the interest of people. The PML-N, which gave a call for the rally just a week ago, also directed its local organisations, MNAs and MPAs to ensure maximum participation of workers, though some believe that the absence of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif from the rally might reduce the number, which would have been higher otherwise.

All major roads of the city including The Mall, Lower Mall, Circular Road, Main Boulevard etc have been decorated by the PML-N with banners, party flags amid criticism from another emerging political force from the city, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf. The PTI leadership alleged the Punjab government was victimising it to disturb its rally, scheduled for October 30, which according to the PTI was a reflection of PML-N's frustration.

Pervaiz Malik, MNA from NA-123, while talking to The News said the Friday's gathering would be an eye opener for those who were yet to understand what the public wanted. "The Zardari Raj is coming to an end now. The corrupt regime isn't left with much time," he claimed.