Jubilant PML-N workers fill streets

SC verdict

LAHORE

Pakistan Muslim League-N’s claim of Lahore being their fort proved true yet again as hundreds came out dancing, distributing sweets and singing party songs after the Supreme Court's majority decision did not indict Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Panama case.

Local leadership of PML-N had arranged screening of news channels at various places in the city where hundreds of party workers gathered early morning and continued to chant pro-government slogans.

Similarly, supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf also established a special camp at its Garden Town office while some PTI workers were also seen gathered at Lalik Jan Chowk in DHA. However, the SC’s decision somehow disappointed them and they left their places unnoticed.

On the other hand, Liberty Chowk, Wasa Station Gulshan-e-Ravi, Model Town H Block, Ravi Road, Gawalmandi, Town Hall, Lahore Press Club, Shad Bagh, UET Chowk, Hall Road, Assembly Hall, Ichhara and other places remained the centre of attraction for PML-N workers till evening. Since morning the PML-N party workers were present at their camps chanting slogans in favour of Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif and the PML-N. Mian Marghoob, PML-N leader, was also among his workers at Ravi Road and celebrated the occasion while distributing sweets. He said Almighty Allah has given victory to their leader as well as party. He said people will re-elect the PML-N in the next election.

Khwaja Imran Nazir, Rana Mashhood, Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Ch Shehbaz, Mayor Lahore Col (R) Mubashar, Khwaja Ahmed Hassaan, Pervaiz Rasheed and other PML-N leaders were also seen roaming the city roads with their teams and meeting enthusiastic workers. These leaders also chanted slogans along with their workers. Sweets distribution, drum beating and display of fireworks were the common scenes in majority of the city areas especially after 2pm. The jubilating PML-N workers said the SC has vindicated their leader, which is their victory.

Hundreds of PML-N workers who were gathered outside Punjab Assembly also blocked The Mall and danced to the drum beat after the private TV channels aired the breaking news that SC didn’t disqualify PM Nawaz in Panama Leaks case. Rana Sanaullah, who was present there said this was the victory of the people of Pakistan. He said the PML-N government will fulfill all its promises, which it had made during the elections.

After the decision, dozens of the PML-N lawyers were also seen distributing sweets and chanting slogans on the premises of the Lahore High Court. They said the decision was according to the Constitution of Pakistan.

The PML-N workers also gathered outside the Lahore Press Club and distributed sweets. Shumaila Rana, a PML-N worker said the SC verdict was a landmark decision and should be accepted by PTI leadership. She said U-turns of Imran Khan are very famous and he might take another U-turn after this decision.

Goshi Butt, a local councillor from Gulshan-e-Ravi, said that truth has prevailed and evil is defeated. He was celebrating the SC’s decision outside Moon Market Gulshan-e-Ravi along with dozens of local residents and political workers.

Rizwan Shah, Deputy Chairman from Model Town, was also among the celebrating youths. He said he is here since morning and motivating workers. He said the decision has clearly exposed the lies of the PTI. He added that the PML-N is a national party and its leadership believed in neat and clean politics. On the other hand, high security measures have been taken in the city and police as well as vehicles of Rangers were also seen patrolling on city roads. However, no untoward incident was reported anywhere in the city till filing of this report.