RAWALPINDI: Mayors of Punjab’s cities from the PML-N said at a conference on Thursday that they would highlight election rigging in their cities.

The conference was held at Flashman’s Hotel by Rawalpindi Mayor Sardar Naseem to devise a joint strategy for protests in different cities in the province.

The conference was held after the mayors met with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz at Adiala jail.

Mayors in attendance included Bahawalpur Mayor Aqeel Anjum Hashmi, Multan Mayor Navidul Haq, Sahiwal Mayor Asad Ali, Sargodha Mayor Malik Aslam Navid, D.G. Khan Mayor Shahid Chandia, Gujrat Mayor Haji Nasir, Lahore Mayor retired Col Mubashir Javed, Faisalabad Mayor Razaq Malik, Sialkot Mayor Chaudhry Toheed Akhter and Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz.

Speaking at the conference Mr Naseem said the PML-N was united under Sharif, Maryam and Shahbaz Sharif’s leadership, and all local government members would complete Sharif’s development agenda.

“The July 25 elections were mysterious and the people’s mandate was stolen in the night. We will resist and start protest demonstrations in the cities, towns and villages, and inform people of how the elections were rigged,” he said.

He said it was the duty of all party workers to stand up and be counted against the rigged elections, adding: “We will not sit in the houses until the release of our leaders Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz.”

He claimed Sharif would become prime minister for a fourth time and will begin development, adding that the PTI was a puppet dancing to the tunes of invisible people.

“Conducive environment was provided to Imran Khan and cases were registered against PML-N workers,” he said.

Other speakers also pledged to work for the party’s narrative, ‘Vote ko izzat do’ (Respect the vote), and decided to begin protests in various cities after receiving a go-ahead from the party leadership.

They also expressed concern over Sharif’s health and prayed for his early recovery, and criticised the poor facilities he was being provided in prison.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2018