Stage set for PDM rally

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) will demonstrate its political strength in Bagh-e-Jinnah, Karachi on Sunday. The preparations for the rally, to be hosted by the Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), have been completed.

According to JUI spokesperson Aslam Ghauri, the central leadership of PDM will address the rally including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Allama Shah Awais Noorani, Allama Sajid Mir, Dr Abdul Malik, Dr Jahanzeb Jamaldini and others.

The JUI spokesperson said, a large stage has been set up in the hall which has a seating capacity of 500 people while 100,000 seats have been set up in the venue. Meanwhile, 10,000 JUI volunteers will be on security duty at the venue. A VVIP path has been prepared at the back. Workers will enter the venue from Numaish Chowrangi. Temporary canteen, ablution area and washrooms have also been set up at the venue.

All preparations for the PDM meeting have been completed, flags of all parties and banners have been hung at the venue. Special arrangements for sound and lighting have been made. The stage has been made from a container which is 20 feet high, 160 feet wide and 160 feet long. Special arrangements for parking and security around the venue have been made in collaboration with the administration.

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Walk-through gates have been set up at all entrances. Arrangements have also been made to provide water and other basic necessities at the venue.

Women barred

The PDM has barred women workers from participating in its August 29 rally citing the coronavirus situation in the country. No female worker from any party will take part in the rally. The PDM's management committee had decided not to invite female party workers in the rally. Sources said the women have been barred from participating in the rally due to the coronavirus and overall situation in the country. JUI's Rashid Mehmood Soomro said: "We are not against the women's participation in politics but this decision has been taken in view of coronavirus situation."

On the other hand, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Information Secretary Maryam Aurangzeb, in a Twitter message, said: "Our mothers, sisters and women will fully participate in the PDM rally. Women are a fundamental and proud part of the PDM movement." PML-N Minority MNA Khel Das Kohistani said in a statement that the participation of women in the PDM meeting was not banned, adding that the statement regarding barring of women in the rally could be a personal opinion.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2021.