The government on Saturday accused the opposition parties of harming the country’s interests by delivering speeches against state institutions at their first rally under the banner of their newly formed alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) in Gujranwala a day earlier.
“You [PDM] are using the language of the country’s enemies,” Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz said at a news conference in Islamabad, accompanied by Federal Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry.
“We cannot allow you to do that. We stand by our institutions and such remarks that endanger our security or the people who are responsible for it will not be tolerated.”
Speaking about former premier Nawaz Sharif’s address to the rally, Fawad said the PML-N supremo was acting like a “jilted lover”.
He added that Sharif was hitting back at the military for jilting him. “He [Sharif] can’t get over the past.”
The sci-tech minister also warned that the opposition parties were playing a "dangerous game".
He maintained that the PDM was disrespecting the country’s soldiers and martyrs by pushing a narrative against state institutions.
“This is why I had opposed sending Nawaz Sharif abroad,” he added. “Such people go abroad and become Altaf Hussain. They turn into an asset for the international establishment."
Chaudhry further said the opposition parties’ attempt to escape accountability by adopting such a narrative would not help their cause.
“You will not be granted relief in any of your cases. Nawaz Sharif will be brought back to the country.”
The two ministers also claimed that the PDM’s Gujranwala rally was a “flop show with empty chairs”.
Shibli claimed that the members of the opposition alliance failed to display unity at the rally. He said by the time JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman started addressing the rally, the participants had left and there were only empty chairs.
“This makes it clear that they [PDM] don't have a plan.”
The minister also lashed out at PML-N leader Khawaja Asif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for using "derogatory" language for women, who were "not involved in politics".
“This wasn’t expected from you Bilawal Bhutto. Your mother [Benazir Bhutto] was a respected female politician of the country. Your address [to rally] shows how much you respect women,” he added.
Shibli said despite all the efforts of the opposition parties, the Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala was only half full and people left without even listening to the speeches.
Chaudhry maintained that the PDM’s first power show had actually damaged the opposition rather than being beneficial.
He said the opposition parties had failed to create an impression. “Gujranwala’s population is in millions. But according to independent analysts, only 15,000 to 18,000 people attended the gathering even though they [PDM] spent millions to stage it,” he claimed.
The PDM has described its maiden power show in Gujranwala a “decisive referendum against incompetent rulers”.
The alliance, comprising 11 opposition parties, was formed last month to send the PTI-led federal government packing.
Top leaders of all major opposition parties, including Sharif, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, PPP Chairman Bilawal and PDM president and JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, addressed the rally in Gujranwala.
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