A view of the site of the rally. Photo: Geo News 

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif will address a public gathering of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Abbottabad today. 

Sharif, who was in Lahore, reached Islamabad earlier from where he departed for Murree. He will then rest at his house in Murree and depart for Abbottabad later, according to sources familiar with the PML-N chief's plan. 

At the Islamabad airport, the former premier held a meeting with party ally Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who heads the Balochistan-based Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party. The two discussed the ongoing political situation in the country, according to sources.

Preparations are said to have completed for the rally in Abbottabad ? the disqualified premier's first since his indictment by an accountability court hearing corruption cases against him.

Visiting the site of the rally, Abbottabad's college ground, Senators Pervaiz Rasheed and Asif Kirmani monitored the arrangements at the venue. 

Senator Pervaiz Rasheed at the venue

Talking to the organisers and party supporters, Kirmani said the rally will set an example in the country?s political history. Rasheed said the lion [PML-N's electoral symbol] will force its opponents to run away in the next elections, adding that "Nawaz Sharif is Pakistan?s asset". 

Provincial party leaders Sardar Mehtab Abbasi and Ameer Muqam also visited the venue. 

Talking to the media later, Kirmani said the polls will be held on time, adding that there?s no reason to have early elections ? a key demand of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). 

Rasheed said PTI chief Imran Khan is scared to face the PML-N in the 2018 polls and thus wants early elections. "Those whose own party is being dissolved want the Parliament to be dissolved," he said, referring to the PTI. 

In Pictures: GT Road rally's third day

Friday was the third day of the rally, Nawaz departed from Jhelum around 11:30am

In his brief media talk, Abbasi, who hails from the area and was governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said the people are upset with Nawaz'sdisqualification on weak grounds. 

Nawaz had launched a public mobilisation drive after his disqualification by the Supreme Court on July 28, reaching Lahore via GT Road after making stopovers at various towns and cities.

Sources said the former premier is attempting to revive that campaign with the Abbottabad rally serving as the first stop. 

Nawaz and his family face three corruption references filed by the National Accountability Bureau.