ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday left the Punjab House to start his journey for Lahore.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz founder leader would go Lahore via Grand Trunk (GT Road) leading a rally.
Nawaz would travel by a customised bomb-proof container.
Senior government officials, including the prime minister, members of the federal cabinet and PML-N leaders, were present at Punjab House to see off Nawaz.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif phoned the former minister before departure.
Sources said that former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan did not arrive at the Punjab House to see off the former PM.
Before getting into the vehicle at Punjab House, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar embraced Nawaz.
Scores of supporters had amassed at D-Chowk, in front of the parliament, as Nawaz’s caravan was expected to formally begin its journey from there but the former premier did not make a stopover there and is en route.
The decision for Sharif to reach out to masses by travelling via GT Road was taken at a party meeting at Punjab House a couple of days ago.
Sharif’s special aide on political affairs, Senator Asif Kirmani, said the route was changed after demands by PML-N’s local leaders and MNAs.
Talking to the media Wednesday morning outside the Punjab House, Kirmani said he cannot say where Nawaz will address workers or when and where they will stay the night as it all ‘depends on the love between the supporters and their leader’.
Following his disqualification as the prime minister, Sharif vacated PM House on July 30 and headed to his Murree residence along with family members and close confidants. A week later, he moved to Punjab House, Islamabad.
