The district administration of Lahore on Sunday granted permission for the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) to hold a rally at Minar Pakistan on October 21, where former premier Nawaz Sharif is scheduled to address the occasion of his long-anticipated return home.
Deputy Commissioner Lahore, in a letter issued on October 14, addressed Muslim League (N) spokesperson Bilal Yasin, stipulating that the organizers must submit an affidavit, taking full responsibility in case of any untoward incident.
Subsequently, permission has been granted for the proposed location.
The district administration, in conjunction with the police, has proposed issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the public meeting to be held at Minar Pakistan in Lahore.
Strict rally conditions
However, this permission comes with several stringent conditions. An emergency exit route must be established, and the organizers are mandated to cooperate fully with the police.
The permit explicitly prohibits speeches against constitutional institutions, the armed forces, the judiciary, and any kind of prohibited sloganeering.
Security measures
In light of the overall security situation and threats received from various quarters, the organizers have been warned and directed to ensure the safety of the participants and the general public throughout the duration of the rally.
Necessary security measures should be taken in and around the meeting hall.
Nawaz Sharif's homecoming
Earlier, the Lahore Deputy Commissioner confirmed that the Pakistan Muslim League (N) had applied for the rally, and the administration was in the process of issuing the NOC.
The district administration conducted a meeting of its district intelligence committee on Saturday to assess the law and order situation before granting permission for the rally.
It should be noted that Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the Muslim League (N), was serving a 7-year sentence in 2019, during which he left for London for medical treatment with the court's permission due to ill health. However, he did not return and was admonished for failing to appear in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield cases.
Last month, Pakistan Muslim League (N) President Shehbaz Sharif announced that Nawaz Sharif would return to Pakistan on October 21. The party emphasized that Nawaz Sharif was ready to face all kinds of situations upon his return.
Nawaz Sharif is currently in Saudi Arabia and is expected to leave for Pakistan via Dubai on October 21, where he will address a rally at Minar Pakistan in Lahore. His legal team is likely to apply for protective bail next week.
Preparations for grand return
The Muslim League (N) is making extensive preparations for a historic reception on the occasion of its leader Nawaz Sharif's return. In recent days, Shahbaz Sharif has addressed various rallies and meetings, and business organizations and activists have also held meetings regarding the rally at Minar Pakistan.
Politically, the Muslim League (N) considers the rally on the occasion of its leader's return to Lahore as a pivotal moment for the party.
Muslim League (N) spokesperson Maryam Aurangzeb revealed earlier this month that Nawaz Sharif would head to his residence in Jati Amra after addressing the rally at Minar Pakistan Lahore on October 21.
