Lahore Grants Permission for Nawaz Sharif’s Minar-e-Pakistan Rally with Strict Conditions

The district administration of Lahore has granted permission for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to hold a rally at Minar Pakistan on October 21, where former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will address his long-awaited homecoming event.
Deputy Commissioner Lahore issued a letter on October 14, outlining the conditions for the rally, requiring organizers to submit an affidavit holding them accountable for any untoward incident. In collaboration with the police, the district administration has proposed issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the public meeting.
This permission, however, comes with stringent conditions. Organizers must establish an emergency exit route and cooperate fully with the police. The permit explicitly prohibits speeches against constitutional institutions, the armed forces, the judiciary, and any prohibited sloganeering.
In light of security concerns, organizers have been directed to ensure the safety of participants and the general public during the rally. They should implement necessary security measures in and around the meeting hall.
Nawaz Sharif, who served a 7-year sentence, left for London in 2019 for medical treatment with court permission due to ill health but did not return, facing criticism for his absence in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield cases. Pakistan Muslim League-N President Shehbaz Sharif announced last month that Nawaz Sharif would return on October 21, emphasizing his readiness to face any situation upon his return.
Nawaz Sharif, currently in Saudi Arabia, is expected to leave for Pakistan via Dubai on October 21, where he will address a rally at Minar Pakistan in Lahore. His legal team is likely to apply for protective bail next week.
The PML-N is making extensive preparations for Nawaz Sharif’s historic return, with various rallies and meetings held by Shahbaz Sharif, as well as meetings with business organizations and activists. The party views this rally as a pivotal moment for its political future. Spokesperson Maryam Aurangzeb has revealed that Nawaz Sharif will head to his residence in Jati Amra after addressing the rally at Minar Pakistan in Lahore on October 21.