RAWALPINDI: Two days before the arrival of Maryam Nawaz in Raja Bazaar, the ruling PML-N on Friday arranged a convention of its workers to warm them up for welcoming her.

The convention was held at the residence of PML-N Senator Chaudhry Tanveer near Chaklala Scheme-III, which was attended by senators, federal ministers and the party’s elected members of Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonment boards.

Those who were present at the social media convention included Barrister Danial Chaudhry, former deputy speaker National Assembly Chaudhry Jafar Iqbal, Federal Minister Danial Aziz, MNA Raja Javed Ikhlas, Malik Abrar, MPAs Tehseen Fawad, Chaudhry Sarfraz Afzal, Dr Jamal Nasir, former MNA Haji Pervaiz, former cantonment board vice chairman Raja Jahandad, Chairman UC Girja Raja Altaf Qadir, PML-N youth wing chief Malik Abdul Samad, trader representative Sharjil Mir and a large number of party workers.

Traffic remained jammed at Ammar Chowk, Airport Road, Chaklala Scheme III and all nearby roads owing to the movement of rallies and convoys.

Speaking on the occasion, PML-N Senator-elect Dr Mussadiq Malik said, “We need a country where the elected prime minister is given due respect instead of being ousted for a crime he never committed.”

He said we don’t need such a country where the dreams of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and poet Allama Mohammad Iqbal are crushed by doctrine of necessity.

“Maryam Nawaz is coming to Rawalpindi to share his father’s message with the people of the city,” he said.

Dr Mussadiq said the sanctity of ballot should be guaranteed by all means. He said former prime minister Nawaz Sharif resolved the energy crisis besides launching mega projects such as CPEC.

He urged the people of the city to accord a warm welcome to the daughter of former prime minister.

Senator Chaudhry Tanvir Ali Khan said PML-N workers and leaders always stood firmly with their party leaders in time of need.

“We are the companions of Nawaz Sharif and are ready to cut our necks to shield him and Maryam Nawaz,” said Barrister Danial Chaudhry.

He said all the social media activists of the PML-N would be awarded commendatory certificates at their doorsteps. He said the PML-N was committed to providing quality education, healthcare and other basic facilities to the citizens.

On the other hand, the absence of some PML-N stalwarts from the convention, including former MNA Hanif Abbasi and Mayor Sardar Nasim, raised questions. Political observers said the PML-N stood divided in two groups in the city that would dent its performance in the general elections.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2018