RAWALPINDI: The supporters of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) accorded a warm welcome to party chief organiser Maryam Nawaz who arrived in Rawalpindi to address a convention as part of her efforts to breathe new life into the ruling party.

In the morning, the party workers started gathering at multiple locations, including College Road, Westridge and Lalkurti, where they had breakfast before heading for the site of the gathering – Peshawar Road near Kohinoor Mills.

The primary mode of transportation remained cars and motorcycles which plied the roads adorned with party colour and banners, welcoming the party heir-apparent on her maiden visit to the city after taking charge as the party’s second-in-command.

The participation of women workers in the convention was “impressive”.

Tahira Mehboob, a party worker from College Road, said she was here to express solidarity and unity with Maryam Nawaz. She said women workers had pinned high hopes on the new chief organiser to strengthen the party at the grassroots level.

Police arrest suspected pickpocket at site of gathering, recover weapon

In order to swell the numbers, the local PML-N leaders provided supporters with rickshaws and taxicabs and urged them to throng the gathering ahead of Ms Nawaz’s arrival. Some of the more energetic supporters, mostly youth, availed the opportunity to show off stunts on their motorbikes.

These vehicles and motorcycles coming from downtown and peripheries had one thing in common: party flags and stuffed lions – the electoral symbol of the PML-N.

Adorned with these decorations, the PML-N supporters wandered the streets and roads, blaring loud party anthems and creating obstructions in the flow of traffic.

A number of shopkeepers in Saddar – one of the busiest markets in the city – were also not immune to the contagious energy of PML-N supporters.

To show support for their party which considers Rawalpindi as its ‘bastion’, they played pro-PML-N songs in their shops.

Not everyone was happy with PML-N and its supporters taking over the streets, though.

A number of motorists who remained stuck in traffic due to the PML-N rallies across the city complained about logjams in several parts of the city. Mohammad Suhail, a motorist on Murree Road, said that he was stuck in a traffic jam for a number of hours and claimed that traffic wardens were not making efforts to control the flow of traffic.

Another motorist said the government should impose a ban on rallies on Murree Road since every time it results in traffic congestion, affecting the entire city. He also expressed concerns over such events in light of a spike in militant activities.

Suspect arrested

Separately, the Rawalpindi police claimed to have arrested a suspect having a past criminal record and recovered a weapon from him during a security check at the PML-N convention.

The accused was identified as Mohammad Jameel, who was detained and transferred to a police station.

The accused is a former record holder who has been involved in theft and robbery cases, the spokesman said.

As per preliminary investigation, the suspect had come to the crowded spot to steal mobile phones and wallets, said the spokesman. However, the accused is being investigated further and a case will be registered as per the law.

Meanwhile, at least 1,100 officers of the Rawalpindi police and PML-N workers performed security duties at the site of the convention. City Police Officer Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani appreciated the police personnel for security arrangements.

Separately, the Rawalpindi police claimed to have arrested a suspect having a past criminal record and recovered a weapon from him during a security check at the PML-N convention.

The accused was identified as Mohammad Jameel, who was detained and transferred to a police station.

The accused is a former record holder who has been involved in theft and robbery cases, the spokesman said.

As per preliminary investigation, the suspect had come to the crowded spot to steal mobile phones and wallets, said the spokesman. However, the accused is being investigated further and a case will be registered as per the law.

Meanwhile, at least 1,100 officers of the Rawalpindi police and PML-N workers performed security duties at the site of the convention. City Police Officer Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani appreciated the police personnel for security arrangements.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2023