Opposition leaders defy ban, hold 5th power show in Multan
PDM demands resignation of Imran; opposition ‘doing politics at the cost of people’s lives;’ Assefa kicks off her political career; I will continue to fight for the public’s rights ‘even if I have to go to jail,’ says Maryam
Despite several arrests, massive blockades and other hurdles created by the government, the multiparty opposition alliance, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was successful in holding its fith power show in Multan on Monday, calling on Prime Minister Imran Khan to resign over alleged bad governance and incompetence.
The rally in the city of Multan was held a day ater police, on orders from the government, carried out the arrests and banned the gathering, defending the move as necessary to combat the coronavirus pandemic in Pakistan.
Police earlier in the day acknowledged arresting over 370 people, while opposition groups put the number at more than 1,800. Authorities in Multan also switched off the area’s mobile phone network.
On Sunday night, security forces placed shipping containers on major roads to block off the path to a public park where the opposition planned to hold the protest. But opposition leaders defied that to march to the park, seting off clashes that led to the arrests.
Mobile phone services were suspended in Multan. A few hours before the PDM’S public meeting, the Lahore High Court ordered the release of the political leaders and workers, who have been arrested to thwart the rally.
Because of the barricades, PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Pakistan Muslim League-nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz reached the venue in separate processions.
Ahead of the rally, government spokeswoman Firdous Ashiq Awan accused the opposition of “doing politics at the cost of people’s lives.”
Earlier in the day, Maryam told reporters she was not afraid of arrest and that the rally would take place at all costs. “There is no doubt that this government will no more be in power in the coming days, God willing, and I have no doubt about it,” she said.
Also in atendance and marking her political debut was Assefa Bhuto Zardari, the daughter of former prime minister Benazir Bhuto, who was assassinated at an election rally in 2007.
Assefa received an emotional welcome and applause as she represented her brother Bilawal Bhuto Zardari, the chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party who was unable to atend ater testing positive for the coronavirus. Assefa said that the countdown for Khan’s ouster has started.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman vowed to hold a massive in Lahore on Dec.13, ater which he and his supporters would march toward the capital, Islamabad, to “kick out” Imran Khan’s government.
In her address read from the prepared text, Aseefa said the ‘selected’ [Prime Minister Imran Khan] has to go home as people of Multan have given their decision. She said despite the oppression by the government a huge number of people came to the public meeting. She said if the male leaders of the PDM were arrested, their females would lead the movement against the government. She said she would stand with Bilawal in this movement.
Addressing the rally, Maryam Nawaz described Imran Khan as the biggest virus that has hit Pakistan in every field. “First we have get rid of “COVID-18” virus, the COVID-19 would be taken care of automatically.
“This COVID-19 is very intelligent. It doesn’t spread in Jamaat-i-islami’s gatherings, it doesn’t spread in government officials’ public meetings. It doesn’t enter gatherings of 300 people. It only spreads in opposition rallies.”
Maryam said that she will continue to fight for the public’s rights “even if I have to go to jail.”
The pdm chief said the government has destroyed the economy adding that Kashmir has been sold by it. He said that the decency observed by the PDM should not be mistaken. “We can deal with you with force but will remain peaceful. We want to strengthen Pakistan. It is not acceptable that the establishment tries to weaken us.”
Balochistan National Party (Mengal) Chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal criticised the government and the military leadership and said that if the later “wants to participate in politics, do so ater taking off your uniforms.”
Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party’s Mehmood Khan Achakzai said that PDM was not created to speak against anyone. The alliance’s purpose, he insisted, was to ensure that intelligence agencies and armed institutions should not interfere in political maters.