LAHORE: PML-N Leader Hamza Shahbaz on Friday said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf candidate Aleem Khan would suffer an embarrassing defeat in the polls on October 11 as the people of Lahore would reject the destabilising forces. He was addressing the crowd at the Doongi Ground in Samnabad. Ahead of the election contest between the former speaker Ayaz Sadiq and PTI Lahore President Aleem Khan, and between Mohsin Latif and Shoaib Siddiqi, the top PML-N leadership including State Minister for Power Abid Sher Ali, PML-N MNA Marvi Memon, PML-N Lahore President Pervaiz Malik, PML-N MNA Talal Chaudhry, Chief Minister’s Adviser Khawaja Ehsan and Railways Minister Kh Saad Rafique turned out in full force to support their candidates. A large crowd of PML-N political workers and office-bearers waving flags and chanting slogans filled up the Doongi Ground along with an impressive number of party supporters. PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz said on Friday Lahore will bury the rigging allegations on October 11. He said while the PTI Chairman Imran Khan wants to shut down the cities of Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif takes measures that make shopkeepers in Karachi open their markets. Campaigning for the NA-122 by-election, Hamza said the poor people of Lahore are happy at the Metro Bus service. The only person who has a problem with the Metro Bus is Imran Khan, he said and added the PML-N will win in Lahore like every by-election and the party was a guarantee to progress and prosperity of the country. He said no one becomes a big leader by leveling allegations against others and talking indecently. We want to love Pakistan rather than some personality and expressed the hope that passion will win against Qabza on October 11. Hamza said Nawaz Sharif who made Pakistan an atomic power and gave mega projects like the Motorway, Metro Bus and Orange Line Train had great love for Pakistan. He said Imran’s statements against Nawaz Sharif hurt crores of Pakistanis. He said Imran should create a sportsman spirit and get ready to accept defeat on October 11. He said the Lahorites have once again expressed association with their leadership. Those raising hue and cry will achieve nothing and we will make the country a haven of peace. He thanked the people of NA-122 and said he will plan Metro Bus and Orange Line Train in Multan and other cities. “We are competing with those wasting two-and-a-half years in politics of sit-ins and protest, who close cities and attack the PTV while the prime minister runs the wheel of economy by restoring peace in Karachi.” Hamza said the PML-N had achieved prominent success in all by-elections, including Multan, Nankana, Mandi Bahauddin and KPK. He said the PML-N will win in NA-122 and PP-147, Lahore. He said the ‘New Pakistan’ will not be made under the leadership of those who got their loans waived off and grabbed people’s lands but will be made under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He told Imran to get a heart like that of Nawaz in order to become a leader. “Don’t mess with the ‘Tiger’. The Tiger won’t let you go,” said Hamza. He said the judicial commission rejected all the three claims of the PTI and Imran and now Lahore will bury these allegations forever on October 11. Speaking on this occasion in his own fiery style, Railways Minister Kh Saad Rafique bitterly criticised Imran. “Grow up Imran Khan! Stop lying now. When lions wake up, no one can contest them,” said Rafique. Kh Salman Rafique said the people of Lahore could not be hoodwinked. PML-N candidate Ayaz Sadiq said the people of Pakistan gave their mandate to Nawaz but Imran isn’t ready to accept it. He actually wants to become PM, he said. Ayaz Sadiq said Imran will not accept the results and will weep. State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali said the people will have to decide. “People know who is taking Pakistan on the path of progress,” said Abid. Abid said the present government has reduced loadshedding considerably. Pervaiz Malik said the PML-N was not a big party of Lahore but the biggest party of Pakistan. Marvi Memon and Hanif Abbasi also spoke on the occasion. Party workers displayed enthusiasm and danced to the tunes of party songs while a large number of women also participated. APP adds: Maulana Abdul Qayyum, a candidate for NA-122 by-elections, withdrew in favour of PML-N candidate Ayaz Sadiq. This was stated by the Pakistan Ulema Council Lahore President Mushtaq Lahori in a press release issued on Friday. He said the PUC was supporting Maulana Qayyum, adding after consultation between the central leaders of the PML-N and PUC, Qayyum withdrew in favour of Ayaz Sadiq.
