SARGODHA: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam had to cancel their scheduled address at a public rally in Bhera on Friday because of poor arrangements at the venue, PML-N insiders told Dawn.

The rally was arranged by Federal State Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Aminul Hasnat and his brother Pir Bahaul Haq Shah, a likely PML-N candidate for NA-88 in the coming elections.

Mr Sharif was to address the rally at 5pm but participants crossed the barbed wire and surrounded the stage. Several TV channels aired the footage of vacant chairs at the venue.

Seeing mismanagement and poor public participation, Mr Sharif cancelled his visit. His decision disappointed local PML-N leaders, especially the organisers who spent a considerable amount on the meeting.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2018