Daily Times

LAHORE: Flex banners in support of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appeared on prominent places across the city on Wednesday just three days after banners were seen on The Mall calling upon the prime minister to resign and make way for his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab.

While banners seen on Sunday had not been endorsed by any major politician from the ruling party, the flexes supporting the PM have been sponsored by PML-N youth wing Lahore president Khurram Rohail Asghar. Alongside an image of the PM and the youth wing district president, flexes also carry the photo of PML-N National Assembly Member from NA-124 Sheikh Rohail Asghar, who is Khurram’s father.

Underneath the photos is the following message: Koi Aur Nahi Sirf Nawaz Sharif (No one else is acceptable except Nawaz Sharif).

The flexes were put up at the exact spot at Charing Cross on The Mall where the banner favouring Shahbaz for the prime ministership was seen.

Besides The Mall, the flexes were also seen in front of the Lahore Press Club; on points on Jail Road, Ferozepur Road, Canal Road and GT Road in front of Shalimar Gardens; in Daroghawala, Baghbanpura and Shahdara areas; and at City Railway Station.

Speaking to Daily Times, Khurram Rohail Asghar said he had made arrangements for displaying the flexes with his father’s consent. He claimed that flexes had been put up along the entire stretch of the GT Road from Lahore to Islamabad.

Asked why did he display flexes with such a message at a time when there was a widespread perception of two lobbies existing with the PML-N, Asghar declined comment saying that he would talk about the matter at a future date.

Meanwhile, Punjab government spokesman Malik Mohammad Ahmad dismissed the suggestion that the latest flexes were a sign of any rift or lobbies in either the party or the Sharif family. It is just an expression of people’s love and devotion for their leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, he said.

Published in Daily Times, July 27^th 2017.