After a grand show in Gujranwala, the 11-party Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is set to display its strength in Bagh-e-Jinnah today (Sunday).
The PDM's second rally has been timed to coincide with the anniversary of Karsaz bombings in 2007. Hence, serving a two-fold purpose, the rally would not just be part of the opposition's campaign against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led federal government, but also a remembrance of those who lost their lives in the attack 13 years ago.
On the eve
On Saturday, a day before the rally in Karachi, the opposition's quarters were filled with excitement and anticipation. They expected their leaders, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and PDM head Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz, former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and others to deliver fiery speeches to a mammoth gathering.
While there are reports that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to address the rally via video link, no one from the PDM confirmed this.
"It will be a historic event where people from across the Sindh will raise their voices against the federal government's incompetence and bad governance, which have put the country on the road to economic destruction," said PPP leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, talking to media persons. "It will be a public referendum against the Centre, which has lost all moral ground for staying in power."
Separately, other PPP leaders, including Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani, deemed the rally a "the final push against the [federal] government" before its ouster.
"The opposition put up a grand show in Gujranwala and the rally in Karachi will be bigger… [and] one of the historic rallies," said Ghani.
Many PPP workers recalled that it was at this same venue where Bilawal addressed the maiden rally of his political career in 2014.
Meanwhile, according to a senior PML-N leader, Maryam will visit Mazar-e-Quaid from Karachi airport after her arrival, following which she will attend some meetings before the rally in the evening.
Arrangements
PPP's Karachi division finalised arrangements for the rally on its eve, placing chairs to accommodate up to 50,000 people in the vast ground. Five entry and exit points were set up, with three reserved for male attendees and one each for female attendees and PDM leaders.
The flags of political parties constituting the PDM were hoisted too, and a 24-foot-high and 160-foot-wide stage was installed.
"The stage is spacious enough to accommodate all central leadership of the PDM," PPP Karachi leader Najmi Alam told The Express Tribune.
Besides, a sound system was installed and adequate lighting arrangements were made, PPP sources said.
The PPP, playing the host, also set up different committees, comprising 1,500 volunteers, to ensure proper management of the event and traffic, as well as security inside the ground.
In this regard, Khuhro said, "A separate portion has been allocated for female participants." He added, "All attendees will be required to wear masks and those not wearing one will be provided them. Moreover, they will be asked to sanitise their hands at the entrance."
Sources in the party told The Express Tribune that party leaders had also been tasked with gathering and bringing people to the venue for the event, expected to start at 4pm.
Different routes have been designated for the various parties' caravans, so as to avoid traffic congestion.
Strict security arrangements have also been made, including the installation of walk-through gates.
Additionally, large contingents of the police and Rangers will be deployed at the venue. "Law enforcers will also be deployed on the rooftops of nearby high-rise buildings for security purposes," an official of the home department told The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2020
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