Different political parties are eyeing to muster maximum public support from the province of Punjab after disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The homecoming rally of Nawaz Sharif continued its GT Road journey and finally reached Lahore amid stringent security cover.
Political analysts believe that one of the objectives of Nawaz's rally was to maintain its political base in the province of Punjab. With successful power shows at different points on the GT Road, the PML-N appears to get set objectives. However, there are many challenges ahead for the ousted PM and his party, they claimed. According to them, contest of NA-120 would prove a test case and its results would clear some shadows.
On Saturday, the Pakistan People's Party also held a public meeting at Chiniot which was addressed by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The PPP, according to sources, is in search of electable from Punjab and so far it has been able to get Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat of Jhang back in the party fold. The PPP leadership is in touch with some political families.
On the other hand, the PTI has already dented the PPP due to joining of some leaders in that party, the sources claimed. On the other hand, the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q), which emerged stronger during Pervez Musharraf's tenure, is expecting return of those leaders in the party who joined the PML-N ahead of 2013 general elections.
PML-Q senior leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi said they are in touch with about 70 MNAs who had joined the PML-N. "We always remained in touch with our well wishers and expect return of these legislators in the party fold," he said. Criticising Nawaz, the PML-Q leader said he cannot mislead the people against the national institutions because they know that strong judiciary and army are essential for better future of Pakistan.
The Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, which is one of the petitioners against Nawaz Sharif, also addressed a public gathering in Jhang and unfolded party future programme. Analysts are of the view that the PML-N is striving for maintaining its support base and so far it has been able to achieve this objective.