PESHAWAR: Jubilant workers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Jamaat-i-Islami poured onto the streets of Peshawar and other towns of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to celebrate disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court on Friday.

After announcement of the judgment enthusiastic supporters of PTI, carrying party flags, started dancing to the drumbeats and chanting slogans. They were also offering sweets to each other.

“We are here to celebrate our victory. Thanks God and judiciary for getting rid of the corrupt rulers,” remarked Rabia Basseri, PTI women wing president.

Lawyers affiliated with PTI and JI hailed judgment against Nawaz Sharif and shared sweets on the premises of the Peshawar High Court. Riot police were deployed in front of the Peshawar Press Club to avid clash between workers of PTI and PML-N.

Workers of PTI and JI, which are coalition partners in KP government, had gathered in front of the press club. Interestingly, PTI workers had brought drumbeaters to celebrate dismissal of Nawaz Sharif while JI’s activists were singing party anthems without music.

PTI, JI workers hold thanksgiving rallies in different towns

JI provincial chief Mushtaq Ahmad Khan led the rally in the city. Like PTI, Jamaat workers also took credit for contesting Panama case in the court, which resulted in disqualification of the PM.

Peshawar District Nazim Mohammad Asim Khan and councillors of PTI distributed sweets. Asim Khan announced that the court’s historic judgment would be celebrated.

KP government spokesperson Shah Farman termed the Supreme Court verdict as victory of justice and rule of law in the country.

In a statement, he said the apex court had handed out historic decision, disqualifying the highest office holder of the country for corrupt practices.

He claimed the apex court’s verdict was the result of PTI’s struggle against corruption. He said Pakistan had ushered in a new era after the court verdict. He said Imran Khan had waged war against corrupt mafia and exposed their misdeeds.

Meanwhile, top consultative body of Awami National Party will meet in Peshawar on Saturday (today) to discuss the post-Panama verdict scenario. ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan will chair the meeting.

In Kohat, PTI leaders and workers took out rallies in the town to celebrate the disqualification of the premier. Big and small rallies came out from all parts of the city to converge at Peshawar Chowk. The PTI workers danced and distributed sweets.

Speaking on the occasion, district nazim Naseem Afridi claimed that PTI would clean sweep the next general elections.

In Lower Dir, PTI and JI activists celebrated the Supreme Court judgment by converging on the roads and chanting ‘go Nawaz go’ slogans. They also distributed sweets and danced on drumbeats.

Jubilant PTI workers also held rallies at Munda, Samarbagh, Talash and Timergara and distributed sweets.

In Samarbagh, JI workers expressed pleasure on the verdict and chanted slogans against the corrupt rulers. JI district spokesman Yaqubur Rehman told journalists his party was going to observe ‘Yaum-i-Azm’ on Saturday (today) on the call of party chief Sirajul Haq.

In Swat, workers of different political parties staged rallies after the SC verdict.

A large number of PTI workers led by MPA Fazal Hakim came out on the streets dancing and marching towards Mingora Bazaar. They were chanting slogans in favour of Imran Khan. They said it was historical day as the Supreme Court had disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for corruption.

The PTI workers also indulged in firing in the air to celebrate the occasion.

ANP and JI workers also took to the streets to celebrate the Supreme Court verdict.

In Bajaur Agency, people from different walks of life welcomed the Supreme Court’s judgment to disqualify the prime minister and termed it a historic decision to ensure rule of law in the country.

Talking to Dawn, leaders of various political and religious parties, traders, social activists, transporters, students and tribal elders said the Supreme Court decision would usher in a new era in Pakistan.

PTI local chapter vice president Nawabzada Jalaluddin Khan said this was a long-awaited and significant first step to rid the country of corruption and corrupt rulers.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2017