Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday resumed his road trip back to his hometown, Lahore, via the Grand Trunk (GT) Road after an overnight stay at a hotel located on the banks of the River Jhelum.
During the journey, he touched base briefly at Kharian and Lalamusa and stopped for a longer period at Gujrat in the afternoon to address supporters.
The Sharif convoy reached Gujranwala, its final destination for the day, at night, where he addressed a large crowd.
PML-N workers in Gujranwala had set up a stage and sound system for the former premier to address his loyalists.
According to the schedule issued by PML-N, Sharif will spend the night in Gujranwala and leave for Lahore in the morning. He is expected to reach Lahore at 4pm on Saturday.
'Nawaz Sharif is with you today'
"Nawaz Sharif is with you today," the deposed prime minister told his supporters in Gujranwala. "You elected him, did you not? They have removed Nawaz Sharif, but they cannot remove him from your hearts," he said.
"They've only removed me on paper. Is this removing me at all? [If it were up to you] you would make me prime minister again tomorrow. However, it is not my goal to be the PM again," he said.
"My case in Gujranwala's court is to find out why the people of Gujranwala think I was removed," he continued.
"Was it because I eliminated load-shedding? Was it because the economy was improving? Was it because people were getting jobs? Was it because roads were being constructed and factories were being set up?
"Or was it because peace was being brought to the country?" he asked, to a resounding "no!" at each question.
"These things did not suit them [the conspirators]," he continued. "They could not tolerate this. They were thinking: 'If this continues, Nawaz will be elected again."
"Tell me, people of Gujranwala: was this not what they were thinking," he asked to a resounding "yes!"
"There have been conspiracies for the past three and a half years. When our progress sped up, the conspiracies also sped up."
"There is [still] no allegation of corruption against me. There is not a rupee of corruption linked to my name — even those who disqualified me admit that," he claimed.
"Then why did they remove me?"
"I turned this country into an atomic power. Is this how you treat someone who did that for his country?"
"They removed me twice from power before; and this time, again, I was not allowed to complete my tenure," he railed.
"Does the vote of 200 million count for nothing?" he asked.
"If there is any value in your vote, you will have to hold these people accountable," he urged.
"Pakistan's 70th birthday is around the corner. You should take an oath to never let this happen again," he said. "And when the people of Gujranwala take an oath, they stand by it. I know," he said to loud cheers.
"All those who gave the verdict [against me], look at Gujranwala's verdict!" he raged. "They do not accept it!"
"Will you bring back Pakistan's honour?" he asked his supporters. "Will you demand that your vote hold its value?" he asked to resounding cheers.
"My heart beats with the heart of our youth. I will not rest till you get respectable employment in this country. I have come to set you alight today," Nawaz said.
"Come, let's change the Pakistan. Let's write a new history for our country!"
"O people of Gujranwala! I know you will not disappoint me. I have faith in you and I am proud of you. I will stand by you as we do it together."
"Take an oath today. Say, we will do this together!"
"Do you accept what I say? Answer me!" he roared, inviting loud cheers of "We accept!" and "We are with you!"
"I will give you my programme — will you follow me when I do?" he asked, inviting cheers of assent.
"This is our country. We will grow and prosper together," he promised. "We will fulfill all our hopes and dreams together."
"Fulfill your promise to me, and with your hand in mine, we will take this country to new heights," he said. "Say with me: God willing, we will do this!", he said, inviting cheers of assent.
Nawaz also expressed his grief at the death of a nine-year-old run over by his convoy earlier in the day. He promised that he would visit the child's family himself and provide them help and support throughout their lifetime.
"Stay happy and stay blessed, people of Gujranwala. You have kept my honour, and I will keep yours, God willing!" he said in conclusion.
Gujrat stopover
Before Gujranwala, the Sharif convoy had made a stop in Gujrat, where the former PM offered Friday prayers and held a consultative meeting with local workers.