PTI said that it faces difficulties in obtaining permission for their Jalsa while PMLN allegedly ‘enjoys support from caretaker Punjab chief minister Mohsin Naqvi and the entire Punjab administration.
In a tweet, PTI said these tactics of pre-poll rigging are unprecedented in Pakistan’s history.
Earlier, the Lahore district administration granted permission for PML-N to hold a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on October 21, where party leader Nawaz Sharif will address his supporters upon his return to Pakistan after a four-year absence.
Nawaz Sharif, who went into self-imposed exile in 2019 while serving a seven-year jail term on medical grounds, was declared a proclaimed offender in the Al Azizia and Avenfield graft cases due to his continuous absence from legal proceedings during these four years.
With PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz restricting herself to holding party meetings, Shehbaz Sharif took the lead and led a substantial rally on the outskirts of Lahore City. This move seemed to confirm reports of internal discord.
Shehbaz’s rally came after Maryam decided to limit herself to party meetings, following a consensus to avoid organizing a convention-cum-rally for the party’s leadership.
In an attempt to mitigate further criticism, the party had decided earlier in the week to cancel rallies in and around Lahore before the arrival of party leader Nawaz Sharif.
The initial rally in Shahdara faced severe backlash due to its low turnout, necessitating a downgrade from a convention to a corner meeting. The second rally at Thokar Niaz was widely ridiculed for allegedly enticing attendees with the promise of financial incentives or free food.
Both of these rallies were led by Maryam Nawaz, the party’s new face and a crowd-puller.
While PTI is not given permission to have Jalsa, the PMLN is being facilitated by Mohsin Naqvi and whole administration in Punjab.
These pre-poll rigging methods are unprecedented in Pakistan’s history. https://t.co/NQZUkImEBZ
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 15, 2023
