Lahore rally to oust Shahbaz: Zardari

LAHORE: Former president Asif Ali Zardari on Monday said the January 17 public meeting would lead to the end of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s government.

Addressing PPP workers at Bilawal House to review the preparation for the joint power show by PAT, PTI and PPP on January 17 on the Mall Road, he said the Sharifs’ rule, which was only based on oppression and police atrocities, was hanging with a thread.“The blood of Model Town martyrs will not go unrewarded and the Sharifs will have to quit power” said Zardari.He instructed the party office bearers to ensure a robust power show directed them to ensure maximum participation of workers from all over Punjab. Meanwhile, Qamar Zaman Kaira, head of PPP’s central Punjab chapter, told party workers and media persons said the time had come to hold accountability of Shahbaz for his deeds and his party wouldn’t let him continue with his rule. He added that the PPP would announce future course of action on January 17.

On the other hand, PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan on Monday said his party considered Chief Justice Saqib Nisar as the Chief Justice Pakistan and there was no need to use the term ‘Baba Rehmata’ for him.

Addressing a gathering of party leaders at his residence, the PPP leader said Justice Saqib Nisar was a soft-hearted person and that’s why he wasn’t taking action against Nawaz Sharif. Had there been any PPP member instead of Nawaz, he would have been served with show-cause notice, he remarked.Aitzaz said Nawaz had been continuing his tirade against army and judiciary but he was still spared, whereas even the judges had to go home on these contempt charges. The PPP leader said Shahbaz had been charged of killing 14 persons in Model Town but the police were still acting as his slave, adding that the atmosphere of insecurity was gripping the country.