An adamant opposition held its final showdown at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan on Sunday as the ‘first phase’ of its anti-government campaign, under the 11-party alliance named the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), came to a close.
The public meeting was held despite the PDM leaders being issued security threat alerts as well as being requested by the government to not hold public gatherings as the second Covid-19 wave intensified in the country. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar warned the opposition of necessary action being taken if laws were violated.
The gathering was addressed by the usual bigwigs of the PDM – its convener and Jamiat Ulema Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari – besides being addressed by leaders of the opposition parties that are a part of the alliance.
PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif also addressed the rally via video-link from London, where he is receiving medical treatment for his ailment due to which he had left the country last year.
لائیو: پاکستان ڈیموکریٹک موومنٹ کا لاہور میں جلسہ عام https://t.co/MvsgOjYBQ4
— Pakistan Democratic Movement (@OfficialPDM) December 13, 2020
Nawaz Sharif
Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, while addressing the PDM rally via video-link from London, claimed credit for making the country the 7th atomic power and resolving its chronic energy crisis.
“When I came into power in 2013, we ended gas, electricity load shedding and rooted out terrorism from the country.”
He said due to the massive rigging in 2018 elections, Imran Khan was installed into power “so that he could be easily dictated”.
He said only PM Imran was not only responsible for the country’s prevailing woes but also those who brought him into power.
“They pushed the country into unprecedented inflation and unemployment,” he said without naming anyone.
Sharif said PM Imran’s cronies are minting money out of wheat and sugar crisis.
“My only crime is that I speak truth… I am fighting your case,” he said while addressing the crowd.
Former premier said his narrative is same as of the country’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and added that he was not demanding anything which is against the country’s interests.
“But when you violate Constitution, involve in political matters and victimisation then questions will be raised.”
Nawaz said the PDM’s movement has given a clear and loud message that if rule of this “fake regime” continues, it will jeopardise the country’s security.
He said the country can never prosper without a change in system and under “hijacked democracy”.
“Time has come to get freedom from this selected set-up,” said the three-time prime minister while urging his supporters to participate in the anti-government movement to remove it from power.
Sharif said resignations of PML-N lawmakers have started to pour in in large numbers. “I pay tribute to their [lawmakers] determination… however, final decision regarding resignation from assemblies will be taken by the PDM leadership.”
He urged the security establishment to stay away from political affairs and shut the “political engineering factories” in the country.
Sharif claimed that his narrative of “Vote ko Izzat do” [give respect to vote] has gained popularity and is being supported across the country.
“Our struggle is entering into a decisive phase. Come out of your homes… I would particularly ask youth to stand up to protect the country like your ancestors did during the independence movement.”
Maulana Fazlur Rehman
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, while addressing the rally, cautioned that growing resentment and anger of the people against the “illegitimate government” can lead to anarchy in the country.
He urged the ‘establishment’ to stop meddling into the political affairs of the country and let the people choose their leaders to govern the country.
“If people’s rights are continued to be abrogated then the national unity cannot remain intact,” he warned.
“Imran Khan’s government has weakened the country so much that we could not even protect Kashmir,” he lamented.
“We need to save country from the slavery of international establishment.”
Fazl said opposition parties will march on Islamabad by the end of January or in the start of February, 2021. “We will move towards Islamabad with resignations in hand and will not stop until the end of this illegitimate government.”
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the PTI government is not cognisant of the difficulties being faced by masses “because it did not come into power through people’s mandate”.
He said Imran Khan became the prime minister with the help of “selectors”.
“People of Lahore endured oppression, flogging but did not bow to tyranny during the dark days of Ziaul Haq’s military rule.”
People of Karachi and Lahore are demanding release of Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif and PPP leader Khurshid Shah from illegal imprisonment, he added.
Bilawal said the time for dialogue has gone and now establishment has to listen to the demands of masses. “The time for long march towards Islamabad has arrived and we will force Imran Khan to resign,” he announced.
“Dialogue can only be held after the removal of dummy prime minister [Imran Khan],” said Bilawal.
Maryam Nawaz
“I am eternally grateful to the people of Lahore for voting with their feet today,” PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz said while addressing the PDM rally.
“Lahorites have buried the [government] which came into power on fake promise of change at Minar-e-Pakistan today,” she said.
Referring to PM Imran, Maryam said, “obedient Khan” is begging for NRO. “Who used to say that in pharaoh’s tone that he would not give NRO,” she asked the highly charged-crowd.
She again reiterated that PM Imran is more lethal than Covid-19.
“Ever since Covid-18 [PM Imran] has formed government, sugar, wheat, electricity and people’s livelihood have been quarantined.”
During her address, she also requested the participants to wear face masks to protect themselves from coronavirus.
“Please come out to our rallies but don't forget to wear your masks... I urge you... because I care about your health.”
Responding to PM Imran’s statement that opposition did not know him, Maryam said people belonging to all walks of life have realised that Imran Khan has made their lives miserable.
She alleged that under the “fixed-match” PM Imran being part of the “conspiracy” disqualified his father Nawaz and her to contest the 2018 elections.
“The media is being pressured into saying that the PDM rally in Lahore is a failure by certain elements... but we all know the truth of the matter,” she claimed.
“People of Lahore have announced their verdict that obedient Khan [PM Imran] has to go now for rendering millions of people unemployed and destroying businesses and economy of the country.”
Recalling the demands of Nawaz Sharif, Maryam said: “There’s nothing wrong in asking for free and fair elections, asking institutions to work within their constitutional limits.”
Akhtar Mengal
BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal, who recently quit alliance with the PTI-led government, said that today’s gathering is not just a jalsa (rally) but “funeral of all those undemocratic forces that disrespect Constitution and steal people’s mandate”.
He said their struggle is against those forces that always violated Constitution and “threw it [constitution] in a bin terming it a trash”.
Addressing Lahorites, Mengal said: “If you want to save this country then you have to struggle against ‘Khalai Makhlooq’ (alien).
Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao
Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) leader Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao appreciated the political supporters and activists for attending the anti-government gathering in “huge numbers” despite all hurdles.
He said the government’s strong-arm tactics cannot stop people from attending PDM rallies. “We cannot accept the government which was formed through rigged elections and we want all institutions to work within their constitutional limits.”
Sherpao lashed out at PM Imran Khan’s government, saying due to his bad governance and incompetence “people are even unable to afford two square meals a day”. “The situation can only be improved once Imran Niazi steps down.”
Mian Iftikhar Hussain
ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain warned the government against rolling back the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which guarantees provincial autonomy.
“PDM will never compromise on its stance of parliamentary system of government. Do you want re-election, ouster of this fake government,” he asked the charged crowd.
Mahmood Khan Ackahzai
Pashtunkhwa Mili Awami Party (PkMAP) leader Mahmood Khan Ackahzai said their PDM movement was not launched for mudslinging but to lay the foundation of the country and follows Constitution and democratic norms.
“Lahorites, I want you to pledge that you will fully participate in the war for the supremacy of Constitution and democracy in the country,” he added.
Amir Haider Khan Hoti
Awami National Party (ANP) leader Amir Haider Khan Hoti said the government was trying to downplay today’s rally, but “in reality PDM has succeeded in staging a grand power show.”
He said former premier Nawaz Sharif was disqualified merely on the basis of ‘Iqama’. The former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister lauded the PML-N leadership, saying that Maryam has turned into strength of her father.
Expressing his resolve, he said his party would continue to play its role for the supremacy of parliament and democracy “to block the way for selected leaders to come into power.”
Shah Awais Noorani
Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) leader Shah Awais Noorani, while addressing the rally, claimed that PTI supporters are attending the PDM’s rally in hiding. “I urge you to rebel against your party,” he said.
Noorani said all democratic forces of the country have decided that dictators will no more be allowed to rule the country. “Despite the passing of 72 years, political parties of the country have not backtracked from their ideology,” he said.
“Those who steal people’s mandate and make government of their own choice will be held accountable.”
PDM rally in LahoreBNP-M head Akhtar Mengal is addressing the Pakistan Democratic Movement's rally at Lahore's Greater Iqbal Park. #PMLN Vice President Maryam Nawaz, #PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and #JUIF chief Fazlur Rehman as well as other leaders of the 11-party alliance are at the venue. The jalsa at Minar-i-Pakistan will bring the ‘first phase’ of the PDM's anti-government campaign to a close, with the alliance expected to announce decisions regarding the second phase of the campaign that will resume in January. More: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2275772/1
Posted by Express Tribune on Sunday, December 13, 2020
Earlier in the day, the opposition leaders arrived at Minar-e-Pakistan from PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq's house, where they had gathered for a luncheon and last minute discussions.
Crowds of party supporters were said to have started gathering at the historic venue since last night, while many coming in from other cities had begun assembling at the various interchanges leading to Lahore early in the morning.
In a tweet, Maryam Nawaz reminded the rally's participants to wear masks "at all times, before, during and after" the rally.
Dear All, as responsible citizens, please remember to wear a mask for your own safety & that of your dear ones, at all times, before, during & after what is going to Insha’Allah a historic jalsa.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) December 13, 2020
Thank You 🙏🏻
Having reached the venue earlier, PML-N leader Ataullah Tarrar tweeted out pictures of the venue as it started to fill up.
جلسہ گاہ ٹائم سے پہلے تیزی سے بھر رہا ہے pic.twitter.com/bT4p3mhT1u
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) December 13, 2020
Preparations for the rally had begun days before, with opposition leaders visiting the venue to review them from time to time. The PML-N vice president along with other party leaders also held corner meetings in Lahore over the course of the week to canvass support for the rally.
The PML-N leader also visited the meeting’s venue last night to take stock of the arrangements.
مریم نواز شریف کا مینار پاکستان جلسہ گاہ کا دورہ pic.twitter.com/91LWTcdnD9
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) December 12, 2020
Resignations
On December 8, the PDM announced that all parliamentarians belonging to its constituent parties would submit their resignations from the national and provincial assemblies to their respective party chiefs by December 31 – finally opting for a last-ditch attempt to send the PTI-led government packing.
The announcement was made at a news conference by the JUI-F chief at a news conference in Islamabad, where he was accompanied by Bilawal and Maryam, after the leadership of the alliance held a meeting to agree on the opposition’s future course of action.
“Opposition lawmakers from the national and provincial assemblies will submit their resignations to their party heads by December 31,”the Maulana said, ruling out any possibility of engaging in a dialogue with the PTI government.
‘Tactic to backfire’
However, while some do see the opposition’s resignations as a somewhat successful pressure tactic, many political analysts and experts claim the move could backfire.
Speaking to senior journalists in Islamabad the same day, Prime Minister Imran Khan accused the opposition of trying to create chaos in the country, saying that some elements from the outside were in cahoots with them as they both have the same agenda.
The premier revealed his government’s strategy in case the opposition resigned from the assemblies, en masse. “It is the right of the opposition to resign. [But] if the opposition resigns, the government will hold by-elections on the vacated seats,” the prime minster told journalists.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also announced, on December 7, that by-elections would be held if the National Assembly speaker accepted the resignations of the opposition lawmakers from the lower house of parliament.
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