LAHORE, Sept 28: Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid succeeded to hold a considerable political show in Lahore on Friday at Gowalmandi (a constituency of the Sharifs) where he appealed Lahorites to vote his party in the next general elections for getting rid of the “traditional and corrupt politicians.”

“I will field my party’s candidates in association with other parties in general elections from all seats of this constituency — NA-126 and PP-123, 124 and 125,” Rashid challenged the PML-N while speaking at the rally.

It was the second political show of the AML after it organized a rally in Lahore at Saddar roundabout (Cantonment area). Scores of people from Pattoki, Kasur, Khanewal and some other districts also attended the rally in a constituency considered to be a seat of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif.

Rashid said he would also hold rallies in Nawabshah and Larkana to mobilise people against the corrupt government led by Asif Ali Zardari.

He held the PML-N responsible for prolonging the PPP government’s tenure. “Had the PML-N lawmakers resigned from the National Assembly, the PPP government would have collapsed. So it was the PML-N that allowed Zardari to continue enjoying presidency for a long time,” he deplored. He also criticised the Metro Bus System (MBS) Project in Lahore and termed it a useless one for the people. “Had you people spent such a huge MBS’s budget of Rs77 billion on other public welfare projects, you would have won the hearts of many attending the AML rally in your own constituency,” he deplored.

He requested the apex court to resolve the issue of writing the letter to Swiss courts as soon as possible rather than taking a long time for the purpose.

Dawn talked to some of the rally participants. Muhammad Rafique, a resident of Changa Manga (Pattoki tehsil), said he and several others had been brought here by Sardar Talib Nakai. He said previously Mr Nakai had been contesting elections on PML-N ticket. But during the last general elections the PML-N ignored the Nakai family.