The much-hyped Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan monument concluded without presenting a clear action plan for taking the anti-government movement to its next phase.
Claims were made by the government and the opposition regarding the number of participants in the rally, but the fact remains that the 11 parties failed to fill the venue, which makes it clear that the PDM’s narrative against state institutions was not accepted by the people of Pakistan.
Maintaining the tradition of previous public gatherings, the PDM leadership targeted the government as well as the country’s institutions, and according to independent sources, the venue was vacated during Nawaz Sharif’s speech.
The opposition used harsher language than before in its last so-called power show and even questioned the existence of the country, however, the PDM leadership were seen reluctant to announce the en masse resignations from the assemblies or a final date for the long march.
An atmosphere was created in the country that the government might actually end on Sunday, December 13, but the opposition failed to put on an impressive show, which was earlier dubbed as a referendum against the federal government.
Holding public meetings gatherings, amid the second wave of the novel coronavirus, the opposition is only spreading epidemics and chaos in the country. The government stands by its stance and Prime Minister Imran Khan once again reiterated his commitment that the opposition will not be given NRO.
In all these circumstances, the people of Pakistan have completely been neglected. The non-participation of the people in the Lahore public gathering is an indication that the issues will not be resolved now on the streets.
Instead of creating political tensions, the PDM leadership should sit at the negotiating table and present its legitimate demands and the government should also show some flexibility in its attitude so that stability can be created in the country.
