Campaign for general elections 2013 has been formally started by political parties and candidates contesting the polls amid stringent measures adopted by the law-enforcing agencies. On Saturday, the PML-N President Mian Nawaz Sharif addressed a public gathering at Kasur while former Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif addressed an election gathering at Rajanpur.
In Lahore, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan led an election rally participated by his party activists. Through this rally, Imran Khan formally started his election campaign from Lahore. The rally was started from Data Darbar. However, there was no report of holding a public meeting or rally by leaders of any other mainstream political parties.
According to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the political parties and the candidates have been given 20 days for canvassing. The election campaign will continue till the 9th May. The campaign would expire on May 9 at midnight while the polling will be held on May 11, 2013. Addressing a gathering at Kasur, Nawaz said the PML-N, if voted to power, would put an end to load shedding within three years and also put the country on road to progress and prosperity apart from ensuring a bright future for the countrymen.
In his address, Nawaz also mentioned about former President Pervez Musharraf and made it clear he had no personal grudge with him but what he (Musharraf) had sown had to reap. Nawaz also expressed his firm resolve to tackle the manifold challenges and also put the country on road to progress and prosperity apart from resolving manifold issues faced by people of the country.
On the other hand, 16-20 hour electricity load shedding and gas shortage have added problems for the contesting candidates who are facing difficulties while replying to queries of people about energy shortages. The candidates have also set up election offices and making all out efforts to please the voters. Different mainstream political parties are also using media for election campaign by running advertisements.