MULTAN: The 11-party Opposition, under the banner of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), held its fifth power show in Multan after days of conflict between city administration and opposition workers.
According to details, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, PPP’s Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-(F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and other opposition leaders attended the public gatherings.
PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari did not attend today’s gathering as he is in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. “Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari will represent me and welcome PDM leadership to the grand Youm-i-Tasees gathering,” he said, in a statement.
The workers and supporters of PDM have also reached Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh Stadium after the administration removed blockades. Routes leading to the venue, however, are still blocked even though the conditional permission.
Aseefa’s political debut
PPP’s Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, in her political debut speech, asserted that the people of Pakistan have given their verdict and the selected leaders will now have to resign. “Despite oppression from the selected government, so many of you have gathered here,” she added.
“I hope that just like you supported the mother of democracy and the daughter of the east, you will support Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and I promise that I will support Chairman Bilawal and you at every step,” she remarked.
She further said that former president Asif Zardari introduced the 18th Amendment and Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and fought for the people’s rights. Assefa promised PPP workers that she would continue their mission and would not back down.
“They think we scared of being arrests it’s their delusion. If they arrest our brothers, every female worker of PPP will step outside to save our brothers and the country,” Aseefa added.
Yousuf Raza Gilani thanks government
Addressing the public gathering, former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani thanked the government to for providing the containers, referring to PM Imran Khan’s promise of providing containers and food to the Opposition if they wish to hold demonstrations.
“We had held massive rallies in Gujranwala, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar despite all the hurdles,” he said, adding that the PPP had given key government positions to them, including the minister, foreign minister, governor, among others. “South Punjab needs to be converted into a separate province as it is necessary for its development,” he added.
The Multan rally is part of a series of public meetings the PDM is holding across the country in a bid to overthrow the Imran Khan-led government.
Removal of containers
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Punjab, in a surprise move, finally ordered the removal of containers placed from roads leading to and entrances of the Qasim Bagh Stadium.
The orders were issued after consultation between the higher authorities of the province. Following the orders, the roads leading towards Qila Qasim Bagh are being cleared and the containers are being removed.
The administration and opposition workers were at odds over the holding of the public event amid the increasing number of COVID-19 infections. Dozens of activists, including son of former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Ali Qasim Gilani, were arrested by the police in this regard.
