MUZAFFARABAD, Dec 2: Activists of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir People’s Muslim League on Sunday called upon former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to include Muzaffarabad in the list of areas he plans to visit on Tuesday to express solidarity with survivors of the Oct 2005 earthquake.

They have already started preparing welcome banners and portraits to accord Mr Sharif a rousing reception in Muzaffarabad.

“We are very happy over reports that Mian Sahib is visiting the city to express solidarity not only with the earthquake survivors but also with the Kashmiri nation,” said Shaukat Javed Mir, spokesperson for the PML (AJK).

He said that a number of activists had ordered welcoming banners and portraits to express their love for the “great leader who had special attachment with the Kashmiris”.

The PML (AJK), headed by former prime minister Barrister Sultan Mahmood, is expected to function as a branch of the PML (N) in Azad Kashmir.

Mr Mahmood told Dawn that Mr Sharif had planned to visit Mansehra and Balakot in the NWFP but he had suggested to him to include the worst-hit Azad Jammu and Kashmir capital in his tour.