Nawaz Sharif asks people to guard democratic mandate

Pakistan’s ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday urged people to guard their mandate so that elected representatives are not removed through “undemocratic” means, days after he was disqualified by the Supreme Court for holding office over the Panama Papers scandal.

Sharif, who was forced to quit before time for the record third time, addressed a huge rally in downtown Rawalpindi, after starting his journey from Islamabad to Lahore to project his political strength.

Sharif has resumed a long road trip back to his hometown, Lahore, via the Grand Trunk (GT) Road after an overnight stay in Rawalpindi as his procession enters its second day on the streets. He held a meeting with party leaders at Punjab House there, Rawalpindi, before starting his journey.

Sources in Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said that Sharif was not happy with the turnout in the city and asked party leaders to make more targeted efforts to bring out the supporters.

PML-N leaders are in the process of making arrangements for more supporters to attend the rally, and as the convoy sets off towards Lahore once again.

Sharif, 67, said that it was pity that none of the prime ministers in the 70-year history of the country have been allowed to complete their tenure.

“Every prime minister in this country was given oneanda-half-year tenure, on average, to govern. Some were executed, some jailed, some handcuffed, and some exiled,” he said.

He asked the people to make a pledge to guard their mandate so that elected representative are not removed through undemocratic ways.