LAHORE: Participating in corner meetings and rallies of local government candidates, eating and enjoying till late hours has become a favourite pastime for youths in the city these days.

They know well about the daily schedule of candidates contesting local government elections for various slots in their respective union councils. Whether they receive invitation or not they make sure they attend corner meetings of major candidates. And raising slogans, having a good time and consuming refreshments seems to be their core objective.

“We are enjoying a lot these days, as we attend two to three corner meetings or rallies organised by the candidates daily in our area,” 16-year-old Sikandar said after his friends paused between raising slogans in favour of ruling party candidate Sajjad Rabbani, who is contesting for chairman’s slot in UC-221, during a corner meeting in G-Block, Johar Town on Sunday.

“As many speakers have mentioned problems of the area, I promise you to get these roads, sewerage system repaired on priority basis, as I did in the past when I served as nazim of this union council. I request you to please vote for my whole panel (candidates for councilors, vice chairman and chairman) keeping in view my previous performance,” Rabbani appealed during his address at the meeting.

While his speech was continued, youths started raising humourous slogans, forcing the speaker to stop them.

“I request you to please stop and listen to me carefully,” he said.

Before speeches at the corner meeting began, a rally taken out by supporters of independent candidate Samiullah Sheikh passed by the venue. Many young participants in the rally shouted and hooted at their rival candidates in the meeting. However, there was no reaction.

Continuing his speech, Rabbani criticised the rally.

“You saw the rally taken out by our rivals. Their attitude was not good. But our leaders have advised us to keep silent,” he deplored, requesting the people to vote for him.

As soon as Rabbani concluded his speech, some core supporters and voters brought refreshment boxes for the participants. The youths ran towards the distributors and after grabbing their boxes, ran off, as it was raining.

“From Oct 26 to 29, there will be many rallies in our area -- one by the PML-N and another by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. So we will be there to enjoy,” one boy was overheard telling his friends while leaving.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play