Map of Lahore showing alternate traffic routes. ─ Photo courtesy Govt of Punjab official Twitter
Initially, at least 5,000 people were expected to accompany the former premier throughout the journey, whereas thousands were expected to receive and see off their leader at the borders of their respective constituencies.
DawnNews, however, had reported that the camps set up for the rally had been nearly empty up until Sharif left the Punjab House.
It was reported that various PML-N MNAs had been instructed to remain in their constituencies and stations, and to bring out supporters to greet the rally when it arrives.
Long journey
Given the elaborate plans made for the reception of the former prime minister on GT Road, it has been predicted that it may take four to six days to reach Lahore.
The procession is being carried out despite concerns for the former premier's safety within the PML-N leadership.
Earlier reports had suggested that his brother Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and his predecessor Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan were among several close figures who had warned the ousted PM against proceeding to Lahore by road.
Nawaz, however, had remained adamant to embark on his journey, which he maintains is not "a protest" but "a journey back home" that he is undertaking because "risks need to be taken for the country".
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A 'grand homecoming'
PML-N is banking on its workers to make the return of the former prime minister to his hometown a ‘historic’ occasion in order to gain some much-needed political mileage in the face of the challenges its government is facing.
To add salt to his wounds, Nawaz was asked to be removed as the chief of PML-N by the Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday. It is expected that his brother, Shahbaz, will take over the reins.
After the decision to not field Shahbaz for the prime minister's office, it is also expected that Nawaz will announce a candidate for NA-120, the seat left vacant by his ouster, upon his arrival in Lahore.
Opposition's reservations
Earlier, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and its chief Imran Khan had alleged that state machinery was being used in a bid to make Nawaz’s return to Lahore a ‘historic’ event.
“The Punjab government is using all its resources to make the show [Nawaz’s return to Lahore] a success,” PTI leader Abdul Aleem Khan had said, questioning why National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq was overseeing the arrangements regarding Nawaz’s return to Lahore.
On Tuesday, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid had alleged that Nawaz Sharif's GT Road procession was an attempt by the ousted prime minister to seek a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) from the army.
The NRO was a controversial ordinance promulgated by former president Pervez Musharraf which granted amnesty to politicians, political workers and bureaucrats accused of corruption, embezzlement, money laundering, murder and terrorism.
"Whoever gives Nawaz Sharif a way out, whoever lets him off easy, whoever prevents him from being presented to institutions, the entire nation will stand before him," Rashid had thundered at a rally in Lahore.
Prominent cleric and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri, addressing the same gathering after his return to Lahore earlier that day, had heavily criticised the Sharif family, accusing them of undermining democracy.
He said that it could not be considered contrary to democratic practices that Nawaz had been disqualified by the SC.
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"Who are you protesting against?" Qadri had asked, adding that the former premier had been let off easy as he was not sent to jail.
The PAT leader had also asked his party workers to "welcome" Nawaz upon his cavalcade's arrival at Lahore.
With additional reporting by Iftikhar Shirazi, Fahad Chaudhry, Arif Malik, Mubashir Zaidi, Saifullah Cheema, Nadir Guramani, Sadia Rafay, Inamullah Khattak, Syed Sammer Abbas and Amir Kayani.