February 07, 2008	Thursday	Muharram 28, 1429

LAYYAH, Feb 6: A public meeting of PML-Q Punjab President Pervaiz Elahi in Fatehpur on Wednesday was postponed because of bad weather and heavy rain.

PML-Q office-bearers, candidates for the Feb 18 election and local representatives had made arrangements for the meeting.

The PML-Q leader was scheduled to visit Layyah on Wednesday and address a public meeting at Fatehpur’s Taj Stadium, but the rain filled the stadium with water.

District Nazim Ghulam Haider Thind had given union council nazims vehicles to bring people to the meeting. Each union nazim was given around 10 vans and coaches for the purpose. All PML-Q candidates for national and provincial assembly seats were also given vehicles by the political head of the local administration to bring people to the meeting.

A policeman said on condition of anonymity that more than 24 vehicles were given to Fatehpur Police Station to brig people to Pervaiz Elahi’s meeting.

A local journalist said drivers of ‘hired’ vehicles were not paid the rent “because they did not bring people to the meeting”.

PML-Q candidate for NA-181 Bahadur Ahmad Khan said ‘thousands’ of people came to listen to Pervaiz Elahi despite bad weather and rain. Now Pervaiz Elahi will visit Fatehpur after Feb 10, he added.

Pakistan People’s Party candidate for NA-181 Chaudhry Altaf Husain said bad weather saved PML candidates, office-bearers and the local administration from embarrassment.

District Coordination Officer Mehar Mahmood Akhter said the administration only made arrangements for Pervaiz Elahi’s security, however he failed to explain the presence of hundreds of government officials at the meeting place.