First PDM rally has damaged the opposition: Fawad Chaudhry

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday said the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) first power show held in Gujranwala damaged the opposition rather than being beneficial.

The minister, in a tweet, also said the opposition parties failed to create an impression and according to independent analysts, only 15,000 to 18,000 people attended the gathering.

Referring to the speeches by the opposition leaders, Fawad said that substandard language was used in the speeches and an unsuccessful attempt was made to form a front against the country's institutions.

Minister for Information Shibli Faraz said the opposition parties staged a ‘failed’ public show despite preparing for a month. He maintained that the opposition could not fill the stadium to capacity with their supporters as the people have rejected them and are well aware of their ‘vested interests’.

Shibli further added that the opposition only wants to protect their personal interests and there is “no unity in the opposition alliance as JUI-F Chief Fazlur Rehman was asked to address the attendees when most had left.

The information minister said certain opposition leaders spoke the language of the enemy and targeted state institutions.

PDM held a maiden power show in Gujranwala on Friday, which the opposition termed a “decisive referendum against the incompetent” rulers.

The PDM, comprising around a dozen opposition parties on a joint platform to get rid of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, was formed last month and had planned six big rallies across the country until December to force the government to call fresh elections.

Top leaders of all major parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and PDM president and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman, were present at the gathering held at Jinnah Stadium.