Pakistan: PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to conduct ‘Minar-e-Pakistan’ rally in Lahore on October 21

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz received permission from the district administration to conduct a rally and public gathering in the Greater Iqbal Park on October 21, 2023, where the party leader, Nawaz Sharif, will address the supporters at the event.

The three-time former Prime Minister flew in an air ambulance to London in November 2019 to receive medical attention for a number of illnesses after the Lahore High Court gave him permission to depart Pakistan. Nawaz was given permission to travel for four weeks after the Lahore High Court after his brother Shahbaz Sharif gave the court an oath promising him to come back once his health improved.

Due to Nawaz Sharif’s persistent absence from the proceedings over the course of four years, he was labelled a proclaimed offender in the Al Aziza Steel Mills and Avenfield Graft Trials, a media agency reported. Before going to London, Sharif spent a short time in the Kot Lakhpat Jail

Rules and Regulations

The district administration said in a statement that the rules and conditions for the rally in the park had been communicated to the former ruling party. The Parks and Horticulture Authority was also instructed to grant separate clearance before the demonstration could commence.

“No Speeches against constitutional offices, armed forces, and the judiciary shall be uttered,” the district administration of Lahore said. Additionally, any show of fire and objectionable slogans will be prohibited.

In a document given to the city administration, the PML-N swore that it would compensate the PHA for any damage caused by the public meeting to the park. The district administration further stated that they will continue to maintain relevant authorities regarding issues with the travel flow, security and the organisers of the public rally, the media agency said.

Sharif’s Medical Report

Following the medical report sent to the Lahore High Court, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) president and Shabaz Sharif confirmed that the PML-N leader will return to Pakistan as planned on October 21, 2023, during the early weeks of October, a national media agency reported.

After the legal team of Nawaz Sharif submitted fresh reports on October 13, 2023, the doctors and lawyers allowed him to travel back to Pakistan. As per Nawaz’s report, he had some residual anginal symptoms, which would require frequent follow-up investigations in London and Pakistan.

The report was signed by Professor Carlo Di Mario, a consultant cardiologist at the Royal Brampton and Harefield hospitals, a part of the Guy’s and St Thomas National Healthcare Services. Nawaz spent his last in London at the Stanhope House, according to the party’s de facto London Headquarters.

Nawaz Sharif’s Arrival

Shahbaz Sharif confirmed Nawaz Sharif’s arrival at a press conference in Lahore. He cleared all the uncertainty involving the return of his brother and further said that he would address a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore after his arrival and give an economic road map to steer the country out of the crisis.

Last month, Shahbaz Sharif confirmed that his elder brother was also ready to face all sorts and types of circumstances that he would encounter after his arrival in Pakistan. He is currently in Saudi Arabia and will leave for Pakistan from Dubai on October 21, 2023.

Ahead of Nawaz’s return, the PML-N is preparing what is called a historic welcome for the party supremo. Shahbaz Sharif has addressed several rallies in recent days and held meetings with traders drumming up support for the Minar-e-Pakistan event.