PML-N leaders conspicuous by their absence in 'Azadi March'.

LAHORE -- The PML-N's 'thin' participation in the JUI-F 'Azadi March' in the city, which was once considered a stronghold of the Sharifs, belies its earlier claim of turning up in droves.

No notable leader of the PML-N participated in the public meeting addressed by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at the Greater Iqbal Park here on Wednesday. Even the PPP workers outnumbered the PML-N's in the JUI-F's show and its (PPP) Punjab president Qamar Zaman Kaira shared the stage with Maulana Fazl.

Read: Shahbaz announces PML-N's 'full participation' in JUI-F's Azadi March

PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif was present in Lahore but his meeting with Maulana Fazl could not be arranged. Fazl also couldn't meet former prime minister Nawaz Sharif at the Services Hospital because the doctors said he was not stable enough to be allowed to meet visitors.

'I wanted to meet Mian Sahib and contacted his doctor but he said his (Nawaz's) condition did not allow any visitor to see him,' Maulana Fazl told reporters.

The medical board treating Mr Sharif said on Wednesday he showed signs of improvement as his platelet count increased from 28,000 to 35,000.

Earlier, the PML-N had claimed that the party would 'fully' participate in the march on the direction of Nawaz Sharif. The consensus emerged after initial dilly-dallying amid reports that Shahbaz was not in favour of joining the march. At its last meeting a few days ago in Model Town regarding preparations for the march, the PML-N said it had mobilised its workers who would join the JUI-F march and give Fazl a...