Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has departed from Punjab House in Islamabad to commence his political rally through the Grand Trunk (GT) Road that has its final destination set as Lahore.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chairman will travel in a customised bullet-proof container outfitted with modern facilities including air conditioned rooms.

The rally gathers at D-Chowk in Islamabad, from there on to Blue Area and then will travel to Zero Point where it will merge with other supporting groups.

Afterwards, the rally is expected to move to Rawalpindi through Murree Road and then to Lahore via GT Road, PML-N sources said. The former premier will also visit Data Darbar in the provincial capital.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, party ministers, government officials and members of the federal cabinet were present at the Punjab House to offer their best wishes to the former premier for his journey.

A caravan lead by PML-N Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) president Amir Muqam also travelled from Peshawar to accompany Nawaz on his journey to Lahore.

To ensure stretched security measures, 4,000 security officials, including police officers and elite force commandos have been deployed along the route. Furthermore, hospitals along the route have also been put on high alert, with doctors, ambulances and paramedical staff put on standby.

Former Prime Minister is now stalled at Rawalpindi – since he left the Punjab House in Islamabad around noon on Wednesday. The convoy is held up at Faizabad. It is speculated that the former PM will spend the night at Punjab House in Rawalpindi before resuming the journey again tomorrow.Including government and private cars, there’s an estimated 950 cars and 8500 people in Nawaz’s procession. He moved onto Jinnah Avenue from D Chowk in Islamabad, where he was expected to address supporters, however, that was

Including government and private cars, there’s an estimated 950 cars and 8500 people in Nawaz’s procession. He moved onto Jinnah Avenue from D Chowk in Islamabad, where he was expected to address supporters, however, that was canceled “due to security reasons”. It is speculated that the speech may have been put off due to the smaller than expected crowd.

Nawaz Sharif has also been moved to his bulletproof container from his car, from where he started the journey. A helicopter has been following Nawaz through his journey.

Meanwhile, tight security preparations have been made along GT road, with the deployment of plain-clothed policemen as well as elite force commandos.