Thousands of PML-Q supporters rally in Lahore ahead of Pakistan elections
08:28, February 15, 2008
Thousands of supporters for the Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) turned out at a
gathering Thursday to voice support for PML-Q candidates in the coming general elections
on Feb. 18.
The former ruling party's rally was held under tight security Thursday afternoon at
Phoolnagar town, about 35 kilometers from Lahore, capital of Punjab Province, Pakistan, as
explosions and attacks by militants during past weeks had cautioned political parties for
grand gathering ahead of the elections.
Police set up blockage on the road kilometers away from the gathering venue. Supporters
and journalists had to pass security checks before entering the rally place.
Behind a bullet-proof podium, PML-Q Punjab President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and the
party's candidates made their speech in Urdur in front of thousands of slogan-shouting and
flag-waving supporters.
"I am confident that our party will win the coming general elections," Elahi said. "I don't see
any difficulty or problem for PML-Q (to win)."
Elahi said in Punjab Province, PML-Q had brought so many reforms in education and
taxation during the previous five years, a performance that he believed would translate into
voters' support for PML-Q in the coming elections.
He said he believed local issues would remain voters' top concern in most constituencies
for the coming elections therefore the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto
would have little impact on voters' choice, at least in Punjab.
Nationwide, Elahi expected that PML-Q would capture 145 of the total 342 seats of the
parliament though the party faced strong contests from opposition parties like Pakistan
People's Party (PPP)once led by slain Benazir Bhutto and former prime minister Nawaz
Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Pakistan's general elections for national and provincial assembly, due on Feb. 18, are
believed to be tight race mainly between PML-Q, PPP and PML-N, the top three parties in
the country.
"Source: Xinhua"