Protest termed vote against govt

PDM leaders say time to send rulers packing


Our Correspondent October 23, 2021
PDM leaders during the joint presser. SCREENGRAB

KARACHI:

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and others have termed the PDM’s nationwide protest against inflation, economic stagnation and unemployment a public referendum warning that the demonstrations will continue until the government is sent packing and elections are held.

Addressing a protest rally at Empress Market Saddar on Friday, the PDM leaders said that the establishment and the government have locked horns and the aliens and demons have come face to face. They said it was impossible to run the economy by a magic, demanding immediate elections and an end to the incumbent regime.

PDM’s Friday protest in Karachi was led by JUI-F Central General Secretary Abdul Ghafoori Haideri, JUP Chief Shah Owais Noorani, president of PML-N Sindh Shah Muhammad Shah, Secretary General of JUI-Sindh Allama Rashid Mahmood Soomro, JUI Central Spokesperson Aslam Ghauri, PML-N’s Nihal Hashmi and others.

The demonstration was attended by a large number of workers, citizens and businessmen belonging to PDM parties. The protesters held placards in their hands in favor of their demands and chanted slogans against the government.

Speaking on the occasion, PDM Vice President Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said that all the promises made by the rulers on economic recovery and public welfare proved to be false. Today, the entire country has been thrown to the mercy of IMF. The government failed to deliver its promise to give millions of jobs and houses. On the contrary, 16,000 people were fired from their jobs in Islamabad while citizens are being evicted from their homes in Karachi in the name of operation against encroachment.

Haideri said that people are fed up with hunger, thirst, inflation and unemployment and are forced to commit suicide. PDM would not spare any sacrifice to get rid of the present incompetent rulers, he said.

PDM leader and JUP chief Sahibzada Owais Noorani said that the country was in a state of war while the rulers were under the influence of drugs. He demanded that immediate and transparent elections should be held in the country.

Read More: PDM doing politics of long marches, sit-ins: Farrukh

He said that protest against the Imran Khan’s government has started and will continue until he is sent packing. He also criticized SBP governor’s statement regarding benefits of hiking dollar exchange rate while maintaining that Imran Khan has brought people on the verge of starvation.

JUI-F Sindh Secretary General Rashid Mahmood Soomro while addressing the demonstration said that protest against Imran Khan on a two-day short notice was a public referendum against the prime minister. He said that the voice of people’s protest is being heard at Bani Gala.

JUI Central Spokesperson Aslam Ghauri said that people have risen up today against inflation. He said that the people have resorted to street protests to send Imran Khan’s government home.

PML-N Sindh President Shah Muhammad Shah said Imran Khan’s time is up. He further said that our relationship with Maulana has become stronger.

PML-N leader Nihal Hashmi demanded that respect be given to the vote, maintain that the right to live has been taken away from the people.

Processions had arrived from different parts of the country to participate in the protest rally at Empress Market. A large procession led by JUI District South Amir Sheikh Hadith Maulana Noorul Haq arrived included hundreds of vehicles. Mufti Iqbal Baloch Abdul Haq Mukhlis and Maulana Nasirullah led a procession from Lyari Miran Naka and Muzambar Khan and Maulana Abdullah Baloch led a procession from Lea Market. In addition, Qari Noorul Amin, Qari Muhammad Shoaib and Obaidullah Shah led rally from Shirin Jinnah Colony Clifton.

Noorul Amin, Qari Shoaib and Obaidullah Shah led a rally from Shaheen Complex under the leadership of Noorul Haq.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2021.

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