LAHORE: The district administration has granted permission to the opposition-led Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to hold a rally at Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala on October 16.
The opposition parties were granted permission following after successful negotiations with the local administration. Matters related to COVID-19 SOPs, security situation, and other issues were discussed.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had sought permission from the local administration to hold a rally in Gujranwala on October 16 as part of its movement to oust the incumbent government,
The Karachi administration has also allowed opposition parties to hold a rally in Karachi at Bagh-e-Jinnah ground on October 18. Deputy Commissioner Karachi East district has allowed permission to hold under the 18-point code of conduct.
The administration warned that action will be taken against organizers of the rally over the violation of the code of conduct and Covid-19 SOPs.
PDM’s first rally will take place on October 16 in Gujranwala followed by a second rally in Karachi on October 18, in Quetta on October 25 and PDM will hold its fourth rally on November 22 in Peshawar.
The PML-N has accused the government of arresting the workers of the opposition parties and creating obstacles ahead of the rally. PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said the government is trying to stop PDM from holding the political gathering and is placing containers on roads to stop it.
She said the government leaders are unable to keep PDM’s rally out of their minds and it has become the agenda of all government meetings.
PML-N leader Khurram Dastgir has said the opposition parties will hold their first anti-government rally on GT Road on October 16 in Gujranwala.
The PML-N leader said that the rally will begin after Friday prayers and the opposition leaders, including Maryam Nawaz, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, will address the gathering.
The opposition parties formed the Pakistan Democratic Movement last month and announced that it will be holding rallies against the government before a decisive march in January.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has termed the protest by the opposition parties an attempt to force the government to withdraw corruption cases against them.
