Two PML-N leaders arrested as Maryam gets ready for rally

As the PML-N is getting ready for Thursday’s rally to be led by Maryam Nawaz, the party’s vice-president, police arrested two local leaders who were making preparations for the purpose, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The police made these arrests at Ichhra where Syed Tausif Shah and Chaudhry Baqir were busy in preparing the welcoming camp by placing a container on the service road along the Ferozepur Road – one of the city’s busiest arteries.  

Later, the two PML-N leaders were shifted to the Ichhra Police Station as another party member Syed Waseet Shah reaffirmed that such tactics won’t frighten them.

Commenting on the move, PML-N Spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb told the media that Thursday’s rally would be held despite the arrests and intimidation. 

Noting that they are not afraid of arrests and cases, she remarked that they would wear the FIRs as a badge of honour.

Blasting the government with a special reference to the arrest of DJ Butt, Marriyum said the country’s prime minister was busy in fighting those supplying chairs and sound system to the opposition. "Imran Khan is in competition with DG Butt, not PDM," she added.

Maryam is scheduled to leave her Jati Umra residence at 2pm for Gajjumatta from where she would start the rally. Around 15 welcoming camps are being established along route with the event culminating at Data Darbar later in the night.

Being the biggest crowd puller currently in the country, the PML-N vice-president is actively participating in the mobilisation campaign for the December 13 public gathering under the banner of PDM. 

She had earlier travelled through the northern parts of the city on Monday while passing through Daroghawala, Shalimar Chowk, Garhi Shahu, Tajpura, Badami Bagh and Shahdara. During the process, Maryam had addressed the PML-N supporters at different spots as the people gave a tremendous response by gathering in thousands along the rally route.

But she isn’t only one holding workers’ conventions, corner meetings and rallies in the city, as Khawaja Saad Rafique, Pervaiz Malik and other leaders have been participating in these events separately for the last week or so.

With the government not giving permission for the December 13 and resorting to arrests, the PDM has made it clear that they would go ahead with the planned event no matter what comes next.