Daily Times

LAHORE: Although, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was unable to grab majority in the provincial capital, PTI workers across the city celebrated their countrywide victory on Thursday.

However, workers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) despite winning majority of seats in Lahore, remained quiet and silent over countrywide loss of their party. Another important factor is that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) failed to declare the official results of a number of constituencies. But PTI supporters just after the result of 50 percent results began their celebrations during the night.

A large number of PTI supporters turned to major points, streets, roads and party offices located in different parts of the cities and started their celebrations by dancing to party songs, chanting party slogans and fireworks. A massive rush was observed at Lalik Chowk, Defense Housing Authority where celebrations continued until Thursday, at the Liberty roundabout and Liberty Market, Moon Market Allama Iqbal Town and at different PTI offices located across the city.

Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan’s PTI grabbed massive lead in the General Election 2018 held on Wednesday as the party grabbed majority in the National Assembly.

Talking to Daily Times, Asad Ali, 24, observed that he was there at Liberty to celebrate the victory of PTI as a symbol of change in the history of the country. He said that it was a historic moment when the people of the country have rejected the ruling elite who have been plundering the nation for decades.

When asked how PTI was unable to grab majority in Lahore, Asad Ali was of the opinion that comparatively PTI’s performance was better than the 2013 election where it only got one seat from Lahore.

Another youth, Shahzeb, 21 who was voting for the first time stated that he voted for change in the government because as a youngster, he believed that PMLN and Pakistan People’s Party failed to deliver during their tenure and they do not deserve any more chance. He also believed that if PTI will not deliver in their tenure, he will not only criticise but he would also think twice before voting for the party against in the next GE.

On the other hand, the district administration of Lahore started removing the posters, banners and streamers of political candidates and political parties from the roads soon after the elections. The operation was conducted on several important roads of the city including The Mall, Canal Road, Davis Road, Maulana Shaukat Ali Road, Ferozpur Road, Jail Road, Allama Iqbal Road, Walton Road and many others. It is pertinent to mention that the city’s roads were loaded with party flags, banners and streams ahead of General Election 2018.

Published in Daily Times, July 27^th 2018.