Musharraf Delivers Key Address at PML Rally in Islamabad Today 
'Pakistan Times' Federal Bureau

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf will address his first public meeting in Islamabad today (Saturday) as the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) claimed that it would gather 500,000 workers in the capital to show solidarity with Musharraf.

It is learnt that the party has told its ministers, MNAs, MPAs and office-bearers that their political future depends on the success of Musharraf’s public meeting.

The PML leadership has asked party leaders to bring maximum people from their constituencies in close coordination with district and tehsil nazims.

The party leaders belonging to the adjoining districts of Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal have been ordered to bring 40,000 to 50,000 participants each, while the leaders of areas next to these districts have been tasked to bring 20,000 to 25,000 participants each.

Leaders of other districts have been directed to bring 10,000 participants each and the party office-bearers have been asked to bear all the expenses.

A 20-metre stage has been set up in front of the presidency with seating arrangement for only four persons – President Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, PML President Shujaat Hussain and Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi.

These leaders will be the main speakers of the rally while rest of the party leaders and workers will stand at the venue starting from the Parade Avenue to China Chowk. The scheduled time of the meeting is 3pm.

PML Expects Massive Turnout

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) is all set to hold a big show in Islamabad today (Saturday) to counter effects of the rallies in favour of the chief justice in several cities of the country.

The venue of the rally has been decorated with pictures of the leaders and banners, inscribed with slogans praising the rulers, besides national and party flags. In addition to people from the twin cities, people from different parts of the Punjab and the NWFP would also participate.

PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said it would be the biggest-ever public gathering in Islamabad in which more than 500,000 people will take part. Shujaat on Friday briefed Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz regarding the arrangements of the public rally.

He visited D-Chowk, the venue of the meeting, and inspected the arrangements of the rally on Thursday and Friday.

President Gen Pervez Musharraf would deliver his key address in the rally and a big stage has been formed in front of the Parliament building while D-Chowk has been decorated with large banners, portraits and posters of Musharraf, Shaukat Aziz, Shujaat and Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

Strict security arrangements have also been made by deploying Rangers and police along the parade avenue to avoid any untoward incident.

Shujaat told the premier that people hailing from different cities would join the rally to listen to their leaders, which would contribute to national unity and political maturity. He said the rally would help the judiciary maintain its independence and take fair decisions without any political pressure.

On the occasion, the prime minister said the government believed in politics of peace and tranquillity and it was encouraging healthy and harmonious political processes and actions. He said the next elections would be a test of the performance and policies of the government. “The people of Pakistan are politically aware and they will cast their votes in favour of the consistency and continuity of policies,” the PM added.

Separately, talking to a private TV channel, Shujaat said that May 12 rallies will not cause any violence in Karachi. “There is no danger of any clash as a result of May 12 rallies in Karachi.” He also ruled out emergency in the country due to judicial and political crisis. Referring to the PML rally, he said it would be successful beyond expectations, the report said.

Online adds: The Islamabad Capital Territory administration has relaxed ban on holding public rallies on May 12. “ICT administration has temporarily relaxed Section 144 Cr Pc on May 12 imposed upon holding of public rallies on the said date,” said a press note issued here Friday.●