An adamant opposition held its final showdown at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan on Sunday as the ‘first phase’ of its anti-government campaign, under the 11-party alliance named the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), came to a close.
The public meeting was held despite the PDM leaders being issued security threat alerts as well as being requested by the government to not hold public gatherings as the second Covid-19 wave intensified in the country.
The gathering was addressed by the usual bigwigs of the PDM – its convener and Jamiat Ulema Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari – besides being addressed by leaders of the opposition parties that are a part of the alliance.Nawaz Sharif
Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, while addressing the PDM rally via video-link from London, claimed credit for making the country the 7th atomic power and resolving its chronic energy crisis.
“When I came into power in 2013, we ended gas, electricity load shedding and rooted out terrorism from the country.”
He said due to the massive rigging in 2018 elections, Imran Khan was installed into power “so that he could be easily dictated”.
He said only PM Imran was not only responsible for the country’s prevailing woes but also those who brought him into power.
“They pushed the country into unprecedented inflation and unemployment,” he said without naming anyone.
Sharif said PM Imran’s cronies are minting money out of wheat and sugar crisis.
“My only crime is that I speak truth… I am fighting your case,” he said while addressing the crowd.
Former premier said his narrative is same as of the country’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and added that he was not demanding anything which is against the country’s interests.
“But when you violate Constitution, involve in political matters and victimisation then questions will be raised.”
Nawaz said the PDM’s movement has given a clear and loud message that if rule of this “fake regime” continues, it will jeopardise the country’s security.
He said the country can never prosper without a change in system and under “hijacked democracy”.
“Time has come to get freedom from this selected set-up,” said the three-time prime minister while urging his supporters to participate in the anti-government movement to remove it from power.
Sharif said resignations of PML-N lawmakers have started to pour in in large numbers. “I pay tribute to their [lawmakers] determination… however, final decision regarding resignation from assemblies will be taken by the PDM leadership.”
He urged the security establishment to stay away from political affairs and shut the “political engineering factories” in the country.
Sharif claimed that his narrative of “Vote ko Izzat do” [give respect to vote] has gained popularity and is being supported across the country.
“Our struggle is entering into a decisive phase. Come out of your homes… I would particularly ask youth to stand up to protect the country like your ancestors did during the independence movement.”
Maulana Fazlur Rehman
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, while addressing the rally, cautioned that growing resentment and anger of the people against the “illegitimate government” can lead to anarchy in the country.
He urged the ‘establishment’ to stop meddling into the political affairs of the country and let the people choose their leaders to govern the country.
“If people’s rights are continued to be abrogated then the national unity cannot remain intact,” he warned.
“Imran Khan’s government has weakened the country so much that we could not even protect Kashmir,” he lamented.
“We need to save country from the slavery of international establishment.”
Fazl said opposition parties will march on Islamabad by the end of January or in the start of February, 2021. “We will move towards Islamabad with resignations in hand and will not stop until the end of this illegitimate government.”
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the PTI government is not cognisant of the difficulties being faced by masses “because it did not come into power through people’s mandate”.
He said Imran Khan became the prime minister with the help of “selectors”.
“People of Lahore endured oppression, flogging but did not bow to tyranny during the dark days of Ziaul Haq’s military rule.”
People of Karachi and Lahore are demanding release of Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif and PPP leader Khurshid Shah from illegal imprisonment, he added.
Bilawal said the time for dialogue has gone and now establishment has to listen to the demands of masses. “The time for long march towards Islamabad has arrived and we will force Imran Khan to resign,” he announced.
“Dialogue can only be held after the removal of dummy prime minister [Imran Khan],” said Bilawal.
Maryam Nawaz
“I am eternally grateful to the people of Lahore for voting with their feet today,” PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz said while addressing the PDM rally.
“Lahorites have buried the [government] which came into power on fake promise of change at Minar-e-Pakistan today,” she said.
Referring to PM Imran, Maryam said, “obedient Khan” is begging for NRO. “Who used to say that in pharaoh’s tone that he would not give NRO,” she asked the highly charged-crowd.
She again reiterated that PM Imran is more lethal than Covid-19.
“Ever since Covid-18 [PM Imran] has formed government, sugar, wheat, electricity and people’s livelihood have been quarantined.”
During her address, she also requested the participants to wear face masks to protect themselves from coronavirus.
“Please come out to our rallies but don't forget to wear your masks... I urge you... because I care about your health.”
Responding to PM Imran’s statement that opposition did not know him, Maryam said people belonging to all walks of life have realised that Imran Khan has made their lives miserable.
She alleged that under the “fixed-match” PM Imran being part of the “conspiracy” disqualified his father Nawaz and her to contest the 2018 elections.
“The media is being pressured into saying that the PDM rally in Lahore is a failure by certain elements... but we all know the truth of the matter,” she claimed.
“People of Lahore have announced their verdict that obedient Khan [PM Imran] has to go now for rendering millions of people unemployed and destroying businesses and economy of the country.”
Recalling the demands of Nawaz Sharif, Maryam said: “There’s nothing wrong in asking for free and fair elections, asking institutions to work within their constitutional limits.”
Akhtar Mengal
BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal, who recently quit alliance with the PTI-led government, said that today’s gathering is not just a jalsa (rally) but “funeral of all those undemocratic forces that disrespect Constitution and steal people’s mandate”.
He said their struggle is against those forces that always violated Constitution and “threw it [constitution] in a bin terming it a trash”.
Addressing Lahorites, Mengal said: “If you want to save this country then you have to struggle against ‘Khalai Makhlooq’ (alien).
Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao
Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) leader Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao appreciated the political supporters and activists for attending the anti-government gathering in “huge numbers” despite all hurdles.
He said the government’s strong-arm tactics cannot stop people from attending PDM rallies. “We cannot accept the government which was formed through rigged elections and we want all institutions to work within their constitutional limits.”
Sherpao lashed out at PM Imran Khan’s government, saying due to his bad governance and incompetence “people are even unable to afford two square meals a day”. “The situation can only be improved once Imran Niazi steps down.”
Mian Iftikhar Hussain
ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain warned the government against rolling back the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which guarantees provincial autonomy.
“PDM will never compromise on its stance of parliamentary system of government. Do you want re-election, ouster of this fake government,” he asked the charged crowd.
Mahmood Khan Ackahzai
Pashtunkhwa Mili Awami Party (PkMAP) leader Mahmood Khan Ackahzai said their PDM movement was not launched for mudslinging but to lay the foundation of the country and follows Constitution and democratic norms.
“Lahorites, I want you to pledge that you will fully participate in the war for the supremacy of Constitution and democracy in the country,” he added.
Amir Haider Khan Hoti
Awami National Party (ANP) leader Amir Haider Khan Hoti said the government was trying to downplay today’s rally, but “in reality PDM has succeeded in staging a grand power show.”
He said former premier Nawaz Sharif was disqualified merely on the basis of ‘Iqama’. The former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister lauded the PML-N leadership, saying that Maryam has turned into strength of her father.
Expressing his resolve, he said his party would continue to play its role for the supremacy of parliament and democracy “to block the way for selected leaders to come into power.”
Shah Awais Noorani
Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) leader Shah Awais Noorani, while addressing the rally, claimed that PTI supporters are attending the PDM’s rally in hiding. “I urge you to rebel against your party,” he said.
Noorani said all democratic forces of the country have decided that dictators will no more be allowed to rule the country. “Despite the passing of 72 years, political parties of the country have not backtracked from their ideology,” he said.
“Those who steal people’s mandate and make government of their own choice will be held accountable.”
PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif also addressed the rally via video-link from London, where he is receiving medical treatment for his ailment due to which he had left the country last year.Bilawal Bhutto, Maryam Nawaz and Fazlur Rehman addressed the rally, and decried inflation and opposition arrests. Nawaz Sharif joined the rally via a video link.
Maryam said that Imran Khan wants to hold talks with the opposition after successful PDM rallies. “He used to claim he won’t give anyone NRO, now he is asking for one.”
Bilawal Bhutto said that it is shameful that the incumbent and former opposition leaders have been put in jail, and demanded that Shehbaz Sharif and Khursheed Shah be freed.
“We are here to challenge this government and its facilitators,” he added.
Fazlur Rehman listed down major demands of the PDM, which include an end to any interference of establishment in politics and an independent judiciary, reforms for free and fair elections, provincial autonomy, media freedom and an end to extremism and terrorism in the country.He said that the PDM will hold a long march in January or February.
The local administration in Lahore denied the PDM permission to hold the rally. It said it can’t allow any group to hold a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan because of the spike in coronavirus infections in the country.
The government had urged the opposition to postpone the rally by two to three months.
Nonetheless, PDM workers entered Iqbal Park, the ground surrounding Minar-e-Pakistan, Saturday night to set up for the rally. Chairs, a sound system and posters of PDM leaders were set up. Containers were also brought in to build the stage.
Opposition’s stance
PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz also toured the site ahead of the rally.
She has accused the government of placing roadblocks in their way. She said the PDM will not give the government an NRO, echoing Prime Minister Imran Khan’s oft repeated words.
PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is also in Lahore, says they will restore democracy in the country through their struggle. He said the premier will flee the moment the long march begins.
Cold weather in the city isn’t deterring PDM supporters. Cold, foggy weather has been reported in the city and the temperature has dropped.
PDM chief Fazlur Rehman said their December 13 rally is being called impossible but they have already uncovered every one of the government’s attempts to foil their plans. He has called today’s rally the biggest in history.
We want the end of this incompetent government, he said.
Threat alert
The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan may attack Minar-e-Pakistan when the PDM holds its gathering, the National Counter Terrorism Authority has warned.
It has recommended taking strict security measures at the gathering and “keeping an eye out for suspicious individuals”.
It says terrorists have changed their strategy after targeting a madrassa in Peshawar where eight people were killed and over 125 wounded in a blast.
The Punjab government imposed a smart lockdown in 13 areas neighbouring Minar-e-Pakistan ahead of the rally.
A notification issued by the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department on Saturday stated that the order would remain in force till December 25.
The areas that have been named in the notification are Rang Mehal, Androon Shera Wala Gate, Mochi Gate, Adroon Bhatti Gate, Chuhan Road, four streets of Ravi Road and four streets in Badami Bagh.
PDM?
The PDM, which comprises 11 opposition parties, has been staging anti-government rallies across Pakistan.
The first rally was held in Gujranwala on October 16, the second in Karachi on October 18, and the third in Quetta on October 25. The movement’s fifth rally was held in Peshawar on November 22 and its sixth in Multan on November 30. The last rally will be held in Lahore on December 13.
The opposition members said there should be accountability for anyone accused of corruption, not just the opposition. At the rallies, the opposition leaders also challenged the country’s powerful establishment, accusing them of bringing the PTI government to power through systematic rigging.
PDM lawmakers have also threatened to resign en mass to force the government to dissolve assemblies. PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair told SAMAA TV that Nawaz Sharif will make a “big announcement” today.
