LAHORE: The opposition, under the banner of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), held its final showdown at Lahore’s Minar-i-Pakistan today (Sunday) to oust the PTI-led federal government.
According to details, PDM leaders including JUI-F Cheif Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari attended the public gathering. The 11-party alliance announced a ‘long march’ to Islamabad as the second phase of its anti-government campaign.
A large stage was set up on the steps of Minar-e-Pakistan for the leaders while chairs were set up on the ground at the forefront. Generators were also hooked up and lights were installed for the rally.
Maryam, before the rally, hosted a lunch at party leader Ayaz Sadiq’s residence in the city. The lunch was attended by PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, PDM President and chief of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman and others.
Ameer Haider Khan Hoti
Awami National Party Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has strongly criticized the federal government, saying that about 80 years ago, Bacha Khan had started a non-violent struggle for his nation’s rights but he was termed as a traitor.
He also alleged that there were ‘conspiracies’ to lead Afghan peace talks towards failure and efforts to ‘create misunderstandings between Afghanistan and Pakistan’. “I want to say that this is not our fight alone, this is of all of Pakistan’s,” he added.
Ameer Haider Khan urged the opposition leaders to stand by the Pakhtun people and vowed that he would continue to stand by the alliance for the “supremacy of the Parliament and Constitution and the respect for the vote”.
Sardar Akhtar Mengal
BNP Chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, while criticizing Centre, said that the PDM public meetings were funeral prayers of the dictators and the powers who, for 70 years, have treated the country’s Constitution as their slave”.
He pointed out that his party had been struggling against the ‘khalayi makhlooq’, against whom the people have gathered today. “Who is responsible for the cruelty and injustice over the past 70 years?” he asked.
Mengal further said that 10,000 Baloch people were still missing, adding that all the people of Balochistan want was to be treated and respected as humans. He said that in Gwadar people were being divided like East Germany and West Germany in the name of development.
Maryam Nawaz
Talking to journalists before her departure, PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz said that the Opposition, along with the masses, will soon topple the government. “You all should get out of your house for the sake of the country and help us oust this government,” she added.
She further said that this government was going and the era of Nawaz Sharif’s services is coming. In a tweet, she also advised the attendees to wear a mask for their own safety and that of their dear ones, 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.
Thank You ????????— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) December 13, 2020
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.
Threat alert
The senior leadership of the PDM has been warned of a possible “terrorist activity” by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA). The Lahore police have sent letters to PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
They said that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists are coordinating to carry out terrorist activity on 13 December. It states that after the terrorists failed in their attempt in Peshawar, “they are planning to shift their operatives, required material and logistics towards another place (most likely Lahore)”.
The letter warns that information available suggests that hostile intelligence agencies along with TTP have planned to carry out terrorist activities in Punjab particularly in Lahore.
