In the realm of Pakistani politics, public rallies serve as a significant indicator of a party’s popularity and support base. Recently, PML-N senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz held a public rally at Lahore Liberty Chowk in connection with the 25th anniversary of Pakistan’s nuclear tests.
However, to the disappointment of the PML-N, the event witnessed a notably low turnout, leading to comparisons with its political rival PTI which regularly attracts thousands of enthusiastic supporters to its rallies across the country.
According to images and videos shared online, Maryam Nawaz’s Lahore rally did not meet the expected turnout. It is estimated that only a fraction of the anticipated attendees showed up, raising questions about PML-N’s current public support.
The low turnout at Maryam Nawaz’s Lahore rally has inevitably sparked comparisons to the political rallies organized by the PTI at the same venue. As news of the low turnout at Maryam Nawaz’s rally spread, Twitter became abuzz with comments from netizens, including journalists and PTI leaders.
Read more: Watch: Sea of people gathers in Lahore for Imran Khan’s Labor Day rally
Questions were raised on the low support for the PML-N, while others pointed out the PTI’s ability to mobilize the masses despite being ousted from the government.
لبرٹی چوک میں یہ پی ٹی آئی کا جلسہ تھا اور تل دھرنے کی جگہ نہیں تھی… لوگ خود آئے تھے.. آج مریم نواز کے لبرٹی جلسے میں صرف چند سو لوگ تھے pic.twitter.com/nejn5LiwiN
— Anwar Lodhi (@AnwarLodhi) May 28, 2023
آج مریم نواز کا جلسہ تاریخ کا پہلا جلسہ بن گیا جہاں شرکاء کی تعداد پنڈال میں لگے روشنی کے بلبوں سے بھی کم تھی 😂 pic.twitter.com/jL0BpjuD3F
— Anwar Lodhi (@AnwarLodhi) May 28, 2023
With the entire federal and provincial machinery behind her, Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s social media reach is still less than half of @Hammad_Azhar, leader of a party that is being systematically dismantled pic.twitter.com/ChJBWOhiaE
— Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) May 28, 2023
فرق واضح ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/LlmOWaG4Ll
— Arslan Baloch (@balochi5252) May 28, 2023
لگتا ہے آپ کے ڈرون کا zoom out فنکشن خراب تھا۔ اس لئے آپ کی سہولت کے لئے مکمل تصویر حاضر ہے۔
ویسے یہ والا شو آپ اپنے ڈراینگ روم یا کسی شادی ہال میں بھی کر سکتی تھیں۔ https://t.co/pMOkiewB3l pic.twitter.com/reFRL2pz3L— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) May 28, 2023
Disappointing attendance at Maryam Nawaz's Liberty Chowk Jalsa pic.twitter.com/FZNQYaQN7w
— Siasat.pk (@siasatpk) May 28, 2023
لاہور عمران خان کا
پی ٹی آئی والے جب نکلتے ہیں لبرٹی لیڈر شپ کے بغیر فل ہوتا ہے
یہاں مریم نواز کا جلسہ ہے pic.twitter.com/vLweWudDkh— Naya Pakistan (@Naya__Pakistan_) May 28, 2023
While rallies are not the sole indicator of a party’s popularity or success, they do reflect public sentiment and support to a certain extent. The underwhelming attendance could indicate a decline in enthusiasm for the PML-N, which may necessitate strategic reassessments and efforts to regain momentum.
After PTI’s ouster from the government, its popularity had racked up in addition to the public support that its Chairman Imran Khan already enjoyed. A year later, PTI’s popularity with the public remains even though the party is going through tough political obstacles that include mass resignations and government crackdowns.
Read more: Imran Khan’s sensational welcome in Lahore reflects his unmatched popularity