Despite government’s stringent measures to block holding of a rally, the 11party anti-government alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Monday managed to stage a power show in Multan, calling upon Prime Minister Imran Khan to step down before it was too late.
The government and opposition have been at odds over the holding of public rallies at a time when the second wave of coronavirus is holding the country in its tight grip.
The Multan district administration had refused permission for Monday’s rally citing the high incidence of coronavirus infections.
Police and the district administration had placed several containers around the venue, Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh Stadium, to block its access. However, the opposition alliance had refused to back down and planned ahead with the rally.
It bused in several thousand supporters from around the country and settled for Multan’s Ghanta Ghar Chowk where main leaders, including PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz, JUI-F’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) President Sardar Akhtar Mengal, former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, delivered fiery speeches.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari could not attend the rally since he had tested positive for coronavirus. Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari marked her political debut and attended the rally on her brother and PPP chief’s behalf.
The PDM vowed to continue their struggle till the ‘selected’ government was sent packing and announced holding of demonstrations on Friday and Sunday to protest against the government’s high-handed tactics. PML-N Vice President Maryam, in her address, said she was “convinced of the bravery of Multan’s people” as she had been told that the administration had refused to give permission for a rally, yet people had gathered to hold one.
Maryam said the Sharif family has been going through a difficult time recently. “But Nawaz Sharif told me that leave your worries at home and only think about the issues being faced by the masses.”
She lashed out at the PTI-led government, saying the “selected government” did not even inform her about the demise of her grandmother while she was in Peshawar where cellular services were suspended due to security concerns.
Commenting on PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s decision of not attending his mother’s funeral in Pakistan, Maryam maintained that elected representatives of the country have always endured such difficulties.
“Nawaz was not playing a county cricket in London that he did not come to attend funeral,” she remarked, implying that the “difficult decision” was taken due to some compulsions.
Maryam said the government was using Covid-19 as an excuse to muzzle the opposition parties’ movement.
“They don’t want to impose lockdown to contain coronavirus but to contain opposition parties,” she maintained.
“If Covid-18 [Imran Khan’s government] goes home then Covid-19 will also vanish,” she said, claiming that the incumbent government is a bigger threat than coronavirus which she said has destroyed the country’s economy and people’s livelihood. “Imran Khan will be remembered as a Covid-18.”
Maryam quoted several examples of “corruption scandals” against Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government including the PTI foreign funding case, Billion Tree Tsunami project and several others, saying that “despite all this they say he [Imran Khan] is honest.”
“Who is behind the recent campaign in favour of Israel in Pakistan,” Maryam questioned, adding that people of the country wanted to know whether PM Imran and his “selectors” are also on the same page over the issue of normalising ties with Tel Aviv.
Maryam said that she will continue to fight for the public’s rights “even if I have to go to jail”.
Aseefa, in her maiden address, said the people of the country have decided that the “selected government” be sent packing.
“I pay tribute to all the party workers and activists that despite all hurdles created by the ‘selected government’, people have gathered in large number here.”
She said that the public has given its verdict and the “selected will have to go now”. “I have come among you today at a time when my brother, your brother, Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari is suffering from coronavirus. I hope that just like you supported the mother of democracy and the daughter of the east, you will support Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari on PDM’s platform. And I promise that I will support Chairman Bilawal and you at every step.”
She said that if the government arrested their brothers, PPP’s women will step out to struggle and save the country. “If they think we will be scared of arrests, they are deluded. If they arrest our brothers, every female worker of PPP will step outside to save our brothers and the country,” Aseefa told a charged crowd.
JUI-F leader and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, lauded the workers and supporters of PDM parties for attending the rally despite attempts by the government to stop opposition from holding their public gathering.
“He [PM Imran] is visiting cantonments and ISI headquarters to pretend that he is safe [from being ousted] but you are not safe,” he remarked.
Fazl said his party will also stage protest demonstrations to condemn the arrest of opposition party workers by the PTI-led government.
The JUI-F chief also urged his party workers to attend the PDM’s Lahore rally on December 13 in large numbers, which will be the final face-off between the government and opposition before a likely march towards capital Islamabad.
Fazl claimed only his one press conference compelled the government to allow opposition parties to hold their rally in Multan.
“They [PTI government] had said they won’t let the rally to be held at any cost but now you can see for yourself.”
He told the crowd to be prepared for the next PDM rally, which will be held in Lahore. Rehman said that the people should go home and tell other people about PDM’s agenda.
Balochistan National Party (Mengal) Chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal criticised the government and the military leadership and said that if the latter “wants to participate in politics, do so after taking off your uniforms”.
Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party’s Mehmood Khan Achakzai, while speaking at the public meeting, said that PDM was not created to speak against anyone. The alliance’s purpose, he insisted, was to ensure that intelligence agencies and armed institutions should not interfere in political matters.
He warned that “dangerous blocs” were being created around Pakistan and warned that the country may be bombed by foreign forces just like Iran’s scientist and military general were slain. The solution, he said, was that the incumbent assembly be dismantled.
Today’s gathering was part of a series of public meetings the PDM is holding across the country to pressure the PTI government to step down. A huge number of people have gathered to attend the rally.
In his opening address, former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani congratulated the participants on joining the rally, “despite the government putting hurdles in the way”. “The government did not let us prepare for the rally,” the former premier said, adding that there was no electricity arrangement or proper security.
The senior PPP leader added that, “We had told them [the government] that this power show will be held, and I thank you all for proving that a reality.”
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