Pakistan’s ex-PM calls for change and revolution

laHORE: Deposed Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif called for “a change and revolution” in the country to ensure the sanctity of the vote as he addressed a large gathering of his supporters in his home town of Lahore.

Concluding his four-day journey, which began in Islamabad and culminated in a rally in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, Sharif was clearly delighted to address the tens of thousands who gathered near the famous shrine of Data Darbar.

After a Supreme Court decision disqualified him last month for concealing assets, Sharif travelled with a long cavalcade from Islamabad on Wednesday. He stayed overnight in three different cities.

Authorities stopped vehicles, except for Sharif ’s and ministers’, at the entrance to the city because of the massive crowds.

Sharif said that across his journey he saw that citizens had not accepted his disqualification and asked his supporters to await his next move, without elaborating.

Citing his accomplishments, Sharif asked why a prime minister was disqualified when he was mov- ing the country towards progress.

“Does a prime minister making the country developed and prosperous deserve such a treatment,” he asked

Sharif said that over the past 70 years no prime minister in Pakistan has been permitted to complete their term, making the country and its people suffer. — AP

Not bowing out: Supporters of Sharif attending a rally in Lahore. A massive crowd of supporters greeted Sharif in his hometown of Lahore at a large rally that began three days ago. — AP