The strangest moments from Nawaz Sharif's 'homecoming' rally

Published
4
Unable to keep a lid on his emotions, one of Nawaz Sharif's supporters breaks into a spontaneous dance. Photo:Screengrab
Unable to keep a lid on his emotions, one of Nawaz Sharif's supporters breaks into a spontaneous dance. Photo:Screengrab

Across Punjab, Nawaz Sharif loyalists (and at least one group of detractors) added some colourful highlights to the second day of his 'homecoming' rally.

As the deposed prime minister makes his way home on GT Road, attempting to drum up support among loyalists along the way, Pakistanis have found novel ways to show the thrice-elected prime minister how they feel about his ouster.

The spontaneous bhangra in Jhelum

The former prime minister found himself in the midst of a considerably awkward situation right before he spoke to party workers in Jehlum.

As Nawaz Sharif stood on stage with his party's leaders from the city, one man, who was incidentally also holding Sharif's hand, broke into a sudden dance in full view of the gathered crowd.

The ex-premier seemed mortified for a split second as he freed his hand and absorbed the situation.

The charged loyalist, who thankfully realised that his solo performance hadn't elicited a wider response, quickly composed himself.

The warm-up drill

A video shot in Gujranwala featured local wrestlers in colourful outfits engaging in warm-up exercises — including push-ups and sit-ups — on prompts of "wazir-i-azam Nawaz Sharif".

The sacrificial camel

Another video, shot in Gujrat, showed local PML-N workers pledging to sacrifice a camel upon Nawaz Sharif's arrival in the town.

The poor animal, disdainfully oblivious to its fate, also sported the PML-N's slogan for the rally: "We are all Nawaz Sharif".

The garland of naans

A video of a group of youngsters in Gujranwala protesting the deposed prime minister's alleged corruption also stood out.

Flanked by friends, one of the protesters held a pumpkin next to his head and wore a garland of naans inscribed with anti-Nawaz slogans, including the popular "Go Nawaz, Go!"

The symbolism of the naans and the pumpkin was not immediately clear.

Chanting slogans against the Sharif family, one of the protesters, addressing the former prime minister, pleaded: "Please leave us be, for God's sake!"

Opinion

Editorial

Kashmir unresolved
Updated 30 Sep, 2026

Kashmir unresolved

The just solution lies in India addressing the issue through a trilateral dialogue involving the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan.
Water shortage
30 Sep, 2026

Water shortage

THAT the country is entering the Rabi season with an anticipated water shortage of nearly 25pc, the lowest carryover...
Young hearts
30 Sep, 2026

Young hearts

THE observance may have passed, but the message of World Heart Day should not fade with it. The occasion is a useful...
Terror and politics
Updated 29 Sep, 2026

Terror and politics

There is an urgent need to tone down the rhetoric and tackle terrorism as a collective challenge for both the affected provinces and the federation.
Watching the glaciers
29 Sep, 2026

Watching the glaciers

THE latest signs from Pakistan’s mountains are worrying. Suparco says the number of unfrozen glacial lakes it...
Dangerous agenda
29 Sep, 2026

Dangerous agenda

AS the world remains fixated on the US-Iran conflict, elsewhere in the Middle East, Israel is consolidating its grip...