ISLAMABAD, May 12: Dhol beating, enthralling bhangras tempting bystanders to circle around the performers as if there was no tomorrow, national songs screaming through loudspeakers and flag swaying, the venue of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) rally in front of the Parliament House on Saturday gave the look of a typical Punjabi culture mela.

People from various districts of the province had flocked to the capital in hundreds of Bhatti Brothers, Baloch Roadway and Roadliner buses and coasters. With dhols strapped over their shoulders, wearing dhoti and starched kurtas and kullas on their heads, the dhol players led groups of 50, some time 60 or more people dancing to the beat as they entered the parade ground with the traditional Punjabi bhangra style.

Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed called it the “awakening of Punjab”, as he congratulated the people.

In thousands, people from Mianwali, Sarghoda, Jhelum, Lahore, Khanewal, Jhang, Attock as well as Peshawar — and towns readers probably never even heard of — descended on the parade ground depicting their respective cultures to be part of the rally, all for a measly Rs100 to Rs300 per person, a free meal and P-cap with General Musharraf’s picture on it.

The police, who stood and enjoyed the festive atmosphere, seemed satisfied with the law and order situation. They only pretended to keep security tight every time a superior police officer drove by.

The parade ground was completely cordoned from all sides. Metal detectors were installed at all entry points. Once past those, a wall of men also equipped with metal detectors frisked all those heading into the ground.

Police could be seen on the rooftops of nearby Parliament Lodges, National Telecom Corporation (NTC) and Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) buildings. Huge posters of General Musharraf, Chaudhries and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz hung from the roofs of these buildings.

A blockade was set approximately 150 metres from the 20ft to 25ft high stage from where the leaders were to address the gathering from behind bullet-proof steel rostrum and bullet-proof glass. Special seating arrangements were made for VIP guests and the press closer to the stage.

Inside, a group of folk singers perched on a makeshift stage entertained the visitors singing songs on request like Aaj kala jora pa sadi farmaish tay.

National songs like Ik parcham kay saey talay hum aik hain and ye watan hamara hai played on the loudspeakers.

“We support General Musharraf for his moderate thinking,” said Secretary General Minorities Welfare Council Rawalpindi, Om Parkash Narian.

“Nobody forced me to come here. They offered us free ride, Rs100 and free meal,” said 23-year-old Niaz Mohammad who had come from Peshawar.

Asim Shehzad from Bahtar, Attock, came with his friends in one of the 45 public transport vans. Asim, who pushed a cart and sold chaat and dahi bhalay in the streets of his hometown said, “It’s worth it. They promised us Rs300 and free meals.”

With a puzzled look on their faces, Khadim Hussain, 78, and his friend Mohammad Hanif, 69, walked from one car to another at the traffic signal near the Marriott Hotel asking for directions to Pirwadhai.

When they were asked what was wrong, Khadim replied, “We are tired and we are lost. And want to return home to Jhelum before it gets too late.”