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Voters made me PM, few people sent me home, says Nawaz

August 12, 2017

  LAHORE, Aug 12 (INP): Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, addressing and thanking his supporters at Data Darbar, said that the city's voters had made him the prime minister but "five people sent him home". The former premier, in his final address after various stopovers during a four-day rally, said that in the entire history of the country not one prime minister was allowed to complete their tenure and were removed under a conspiracy. “All prime ministers were removed. Were all of them corrupt,” asked Nawaz. He asked if the dictators who “have eaten away 30 years of Pakistan” will ever be held accountable. He implored his supporters to take a stand against this treatment of prime ministers, saying “there is no country [in the world] like Pakistan where there is no importance of the votes of the masses”. Condemning the blast near Quetta’s Pishin Stop earlier today, Nawaz Sharif said that he is extremely saddened over the death of common citizens and security personnel in the blast. The former premier expressed sympathies for the families of those affected. No corruption allegations proved against us: Shehbaz Sharif Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressing the rally before Nawaz Sharif said that the youth participating in the rally have proved Imran Khan wrong. “Not one accusation of corruption has been proven against us,” he said. He said he will not sit with ease and neither will the people sit at ease till betterment is brought to the country. "I have come from Islamabad, and all along the route people rejected the verdict," said Nawaz. "The case started with Panama, and I was ousted over an iqama," said Nawaz referring to the verdict passed in the Panama Papers case. Earlier, preparations were completed at the venue set-up at Daata Darbar for the former premier's address to PML-N supporters. A stage, 60 feet wide and 20 feet high has been prepared for Nawaz's final speech during his 'homecoming' rally. Devotees were barred from entering the premises of the Sufi shrine in expectation of Nawaz's arrival. Roads surrounding the shrine were closed off by security personnel, causing inconvenience to motorists and the area's residents. Due to heavy congestion on the roads, vehicles which are part Nawaz's caravan have been asked to stop before Ravi bridge. Only vehicles belonging to Nawaz and PML-N leaders have been allowed to proceed. Participants of the rally have been advised to proceed on foot from the bridge to Daata Darbar. The local administration has instructed workers to park their vehicles at Shahdara. A large number of PML-N supporters have arrived at the venue. Local administration has stopped the Metro route between Shahdara and Daata Bar. Security personnel have conducted a sweep of the stage set-up at Shahdara to ensure security of the former premier. Metal detectors and sniffer dogs were used by security forces to mitigate the risk of any untoward incident.   INP/AK