Many had doubts on the fairness of these elections after several acts of the previous government referred to pre-poll rigging, but majority of them have blatantly been proven wrong.

Former ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Q) is loosing grip even on its strongholds of power as Pakistan Muslim League (N) and the late Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) continue their sweep drive in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh respectively.

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Early results and speculations are literally pointing towards a total victory for PML(N) in Lahore, both on National and Provincial Assemby seats.

More astonishing has been the defeat of stars of PML(Q) in their own home constituencies. PML(Q) Chairman, Ch. Shujaat Hussain lost in his native Gujrat while Rao Sikander Iqbal (former Defence Minister), Khurshid Mahmood Qasoori (former Foreign Minister), Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (former Information and later Railways Minister) and Farooq Leghari (former President of Pakistan and a prominent Q-league leader) all fell victim to the shattering voter power of the PML(N) and PPPP in their respective home towns of Okara, Kasur, Rawalpindi and Dera Ghazi Khan. On the other hand, former Chief Minister of Punjab and the key PML(Q) nominee for Prime Ministership, Ch. Pervaiz Ilahi was successful in winning both National and Provincial Assembly seats for himself.

Looking at the present state of PML(Q)‘s falling frontiers, we can surely understand all was not lie in the government’s claims of holding free and fair elections; another omen for strongly needed change and progress of democracy in Pakistan.

According to some media reports, local followers of late Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party want, Lahore’s most iconic, Liberty Square (a.k.a Bank Alfalah Square) to be renamed after her. Please share with us your thoughts on the matter:

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Daughter of the first popularly elected Pakistani Prime Minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto;
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Again; a Bhutto;
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A Harvard and Oxford alumnus;
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The first Asian woman to become the President of the Oxford Union;
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A lady to lead a nation after her father’s execution;
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The first female head-of-state of an Islamic country;
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Also the youngest Prime Minister in the world at that time;
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Two stints at power as the elected Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
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Daughter of the East;
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Darling of the West;
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A Mohtarma; even to her opponents;
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A sister to witness very early deaths (assasinations) of her two brothers;
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A wife to a controversial husband;
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A mother to three;
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Our BB;
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Papa’s Pinky!
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She was……. Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007)
May her soul rest in peace

You would be remembered for so many feats of which the above-mentioned are just a pint…

“Shaheed ki beti agar shaheed na hoti to mjhe darr tha ke woh marr jaati!”

“If the daughter of martyred had not been martyred; I’s afraid she had been dead!“

I, Usman Latif, was one of the greatest offenders of Ms. Benazir Bhutto (BB) and never considered her a successful Prime Minister. I don’t want to think why I didn’t like her but I had no logic to prove her a good ruler. My focus was totally on her performance being a ruler and I think, like all other Pakistanis, I’ve a right to think so. But, I never thought of her personal life… yup, I did a bit… but never bothered to analyze her personal life deeply. The main reason was her dominating negative role of a ruler of my country; which had been built-up in my mind and never let me to think like this. But still I’m not able to satisfy myself of her professional career as a ruler, but… today, after this grave incident, she has the greatest sympathy of mine, at least for a while.

“Kuch log marr kr ammar ho jaate hein!”

“Some die and become immortal!“

Now, I fully understood the meaning of this quote because, I’ve observed and I strongly believe that her death brought her more pride than her life. She got what people never get even after years of struggle. Whenever the history of Pakistan will be recalled. She has got sympathy of all the world and even in the hearts of her enemies. Everyone condemnd her death. No one (pro/anti) dared to even think against BB at this moment. It was not fear or her stature but the criticality and the sensitivity of the time and issue that squeezed their souls and left every one with a question mark in his mind, blank faces, sobbed hearts, horrible thoughts, blurred future, fear of safety and with so many unable to explain feelings. This single death can lead us to a mass devestation if riots are started. I mean, we can never ignore the extraneous elements creating violence in our country and have planned a lot more for us. The situation is critical and the unity is badly needed. That’s what’s going on in the minds of most of the people.

The rivals, who used to criticize and sometimes abuse the lady, just forgot the professional jealousy and rivalry and 100% of them accepted that it’s cruelty. Whether she was your favorite or not, a two time Prime Minister must not die like that.

Shaheedo ki dastan,

Bhutto tera khandan.

The story of martyred,

Is Bhutto’s Family.

Despite all other things, I’m greatly grieved over the incident and believe that her murder washed away all the negations on her personality (atleast for a while) and he’ll live in the hearts of many people.

Yeh Baazi khoon ki baazi he,

Yeh baazi tm hi haaro ge,

Her ghar se bhutto nikle ga,

Tum kitne bhutto maaro ge.

This game is a game of blood,

You’ll definitely lose this game,

Bhutto’ll come out of every house,

How many Bhuttos you will kill.

In the end I’ll say that what ever she was, her death made her important and overall her death is the evidence of the failure of our system and every one doubts one’s own security. May her soul rest in peace.

(The quotes are among the txt messages circulated on mobiles to honor BB. I really appologize about the mistakes in English adaptation.)

Was “9” unlucky for Benazir Bhutto..?

Born in 1953
=> 1 + 9 + 5 + 3 = 18
=> 1 + 8 = 9

Died in 2007
=> 2 + 0 + 0 + 7 = 9

Total years from 1953 to 2007 is
=> 54 years
=> 5 + 4 = 9

1st suicidal attack,
=> 18 oct
=> 1 + 8 = 9

2nd suicidal attack,
=> 27 dec
=> 2 + 7 = 9

Hussain Nawaz Sharif:

“I’m feeling really happy to come to my birth place. How would you feel if you come to your home after 9 years… I feel the same. Lahore is my birth city and I drove myself from Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore to Jatti Umrah to feel the difference; Lahore has changed a lot but still, home sweet home. We thank all the party members and the public, because; they are here just because of there (public/party) support.”

He was asked to say something on his political stance but Hussain Nawaz Sharif refused to comment.

Mariam Nawaz Sharif:

“I am overwhelmed with the love and can’t stop my tears. It has been with the grace of Allah and is a result of our patience. As much the public waited for us, we desperately waited for this moment too. Thanks to Allah that we are here.”

Captain Saffdar (Retrd.):

“It’s so welcoming and we are really happy to be back home. Congratulations to all the people on this great occasion.”

He got off the car and embraced with the party members and congratulated the party members.
{Captain Saffdar is the husband of Mariam Nawaz Sharif}

Kulsoom Nawaz was not available for any comment.

The pics of above three would be added tomorrow. (I got it but is unable to upload)

Stay tuned for today’s live updates at Lahore Metroblogging.

Here are some of the remaining updates which were not delivered to the LMB due to constant network failure there at Jatti Umrah, Link Raiwind Road. The updates are really late coz I just got home a while ago but; they (updates) are factual, unlike the ones aired by the media to favor/promote/support the Sharif’s arrival.

Updates:
(read the updates from the bottom)

12:15 am – I left the scene for my home.

12:00 am – Security increased and a bus carrying 25 policemen arrived with the indication of more vans to come.

No police force is seen except 4 to 5 personnel.

The roads are deserted at Jatti Umrah at about 8:30 pm.

No person is seen except the media and the management. They both combined to form a group of about 25 to 30 people total.

10:00 pm – The banners are being displayed and are tied with the trees, on the fences and above the roads.

9:00 pm – The chairs from the catering company arrive for the seating arrangements arrive.

8:47 pm – Son Hussain Nawaz arrives with two cars following him. The second car was having black covered screens and no one came out or showed one’s presence inside the car. It’s doubtful that the wife Begum Kulsoom Nawaz had been present in that car.

8:45 pm – Daughter Mariam Nawaz and her husband Captain Saffdar (Retrd.) arrive at Jatti Umrah.

6:25 pm – DSP Raiwind City Police Station, arrives with his squad of 12 policemen. (no special forces or no special security arrangements) The policemen were from the police station and were on their regular duty and were not especially assigned for Sharif’s arrival.

UPDATES:

9:00 – Nawaz Sharif addressing masses of his jubilant supporters at Saddar Main Chowk in Lahore Cantt. According to a fellow blogger, Sohaib Athar, Mr.Sharif is to speak at four different stages set up around in the Saddar area.

8:45 – Son Hussain Nawaz and Begum Kulsoom Nawaz arrive at Jatti Umrah

7:45 – Supporters start to arrive at Jatti Umrah, Sharifs’ final destination. Two Hilux vans bring 50-60 people. Security presence still remains thin.
Metroblogger, Usman Latif says Sharifs are expected to arrive at their farm house at about 2:00 – 3:00 am.

7:40 – The Sharifs leave for Data Darbar in a procession from the airport.

7:30 – Nawaz gets emotional and has tears in his eyes. People carry him on shoulders to his car. Nawaz and Shahbaz standing on top of the car, waving to their supporters.

7:26 – Nawaz to reach Data Darbar in the form of a rally while travelling through Saddar, Garrhi Shahu, Dharampura, Shimla Pahari, Gawalmandi, and Bhaati Gate.

7:16 – Massive display of fireworks close to the airport premises.

7:13 – Hussain Nawaz, Kulsoom Nawaz and other members of the family use the ‘Domestic Lounge’ to come out of the airport.

7:08 – Nawaz and Shahbaz come out of the lounge.

Image Source: BBC News

“I’m here to play my role and also to make my own efforts to rid the country of the dictatorship,” Nawaz tells the BBC upon his landing.

7:00 – At least 2,000 PML-N workers including Hamza Shahbaz, Makhdom Javed Hashmi, Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, Zulifqar Khosa, Zafar Jhagrra, former President Rafiq Tarrar, MMA’s Liaqat Baloch reach the ‘International Arrivals’ gate of the airport.

6:55 – Passengers in the Airport’s arrival lounge now. ASF and the police baton-charge supporters of PML-N.

6:35 – Nawaz Sharif’s plane lands at the Allama Iqbal International Airport. The special Boeing 777 was carrying 26 members of the Sharif family.

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Supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Group) leaders have flocked to Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport to receive the former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, his brother, former Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif and their families.

Television coverage shows policemen beating up supporters while preventing them from entering the airport building. The political celebrities are soon expected to land in Lahore through a chartered Saudi royal plane and are to ride two gifted bulletproof Mercedes’. According to insiders, the Saudi King has even lent them a helicopter to be used in their upcoming election campaigns.

The plane is expected to land at 6:30 pm PST.

Sharifs’ return is significant, however, the overall rise in political temperature of the nation has largely remained insignificant. One of our fellow Metrobloggers, Usman Latif, who is on scene at the family farm-house of the Sharifs at Jatti Umrah, describes the reception as missing any fervor. This may largely be attributed to the fact that many party workers have been arrested and the provincial government, despite giving the Sharifs a free-hand to return, has asked them not to take out a rally on return.

According to Usman there are no security arrangements by the Government and almost the entire complex lacks the presence of any proper Muslim League figure. Absence of the common man and media at Jatti Umrah resonates a feeling that Sharifs might not be able to regain what they have lost and have been missing during the last seven years…

Kaun? CTBT (Choti Tindd Barri Tindd) – MBBS (Mian Biwi Bachhon Samait)

Kyun? pata nahin

Kab? Kal dopahar 2 bajay (Nov.25, 2007 2:00 pm)

Kaisay? thanks to Sheikh Sahab!

Kahan? Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport

Koi Khatra? haan hai – they too needed bullet proof vehicles!

More from DT and The News

Students of University of the Punjab continued protests against IJT’s existence this Monday. This time there were more than 1,500 participants of them who marched within the university premises upto the Vice Chancellor’s office.

Girls and boys were holding banners and playcards with their demands written on them while copies of anti-IJT movement’s objectives were distributed among the students and faculty. The document asked for removal of all political elements from the University’s campus and hostels as well as formation of a neutral students’ body with elected members good in academics as its caretakers.

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Participants of the rally were later joined by some senior professors, deans and directors of different institutes and university departments. Together they staged a sit-in protest in front of the Vice Chancellor’s office and asked for their demands to be fulfilled. The VC came out to deliver a lukewarm speech promising to remove political elements from the prestigious instituion though, did not answer the students’ call to openly speak on Jamiat. This was widely seen as a proof of the VC’s close association with the IJT and JI for he is known as an avid sympathizer of Jamaat himself.

All went safe except for an incident at the University’s Institute of Communication Studies where some members of the faculty including the institute’s director were manhandled and roughed up apparently by the anti-IJT protestors. People are strongly looking at it as a conspiracy by some elements who have joined the anti-IJT movement to create such situations and give this, otherwise a neutral and peaceful movement, a bad label.

Students of the Punjab University have decided to hold protests every Monday and Thursday until the IJT and its influence on campus is totally expelled.