PTI observes 'thanksgiving' while opposition marks 'Black day'

The joint opposition has decided to hold public meetings in all provincial capitals.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The joint opposition on Thursday is observing ‘Youm-e-Siah’ – the black day, by deciding to hold rallies across Pakistan, whereas the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is marking  Youm-e-Tashakur’ – the thanksgiving day, to commemorate party’s victory in the General Elections, 2018.

On board the flight to Quetta for Yom-e-Siyah jalsa. Every day under the Vote-Chor, Jaali hakoomat has been a black day for Pak.

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 25, 2019

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz in the morning today departed from Lahore for Quetta, where a rally will be organised.

Prior to her departure, Maryam took to Twitter and referred to the incumbent government and wrote: “Every day under the Vote-Chor, Jaali hakoomat has been a black day for Pak.”

The joint opposition has decided to hold public meetings in all provincial capitals — Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta together with a demonstration in Islamabad.

While Maryam will address a public gathering in Quetta, PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif will preside over a public meeting in Lahore.

Shehbaz will address a rally at 5pm at Charing Cross in Lahore, according to the PML-N’s post shared on Twitter

However, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the administration to ensure implementation of court’s order that prohibit holding public rallies or gatherings at the Mall Road.

LHC’s Justice Amin-ud-Din took up a petition filed by Mall Road Traders Association.

The government and the opposition seem to be at loggerheads over the matter as the administration has been ordered by the government to take a stern action against those who would attempt to take the law in their hands and carry out any rally on the Mall Road.

According to sources, the government has asserted that the opposition would not be allowed to forcibly shutdown markets and the road.

Meanwhile, a heavy contingent of police and anti-riot force personnel has been deployed at the Mall Road where heavy rainfall affected preparations in the morning today.

Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will also address a rally at Karachi’s Jinnah Ground. The preparations for the public gathering have been completed.

Other opposition leaders of different political parties including, PML-N, JUI- and ANP will also address the rally there.

The opposition parties have vowed to launch the anti-government protest campaign from today.

On the other hand, the preparations for anti-government rally in Peshawar have also been done and more than 15,000 chairs have been placed for the gathering.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shahbaz Sharif is likely to address the rally, while ANP’s Asfandyar Wali, PPP’s Farhatullah Babar, QWP’s Aftab Ahmad Sherpao and others will also attend the rally.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) will hold its rally under the name of ‘Million March’ at Ring Road in Peshawar and party chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman will address the rally.

Contrarily, the ruling PTI will observe the thanksgiving day today.

In a statement, PTI Chief Organizer, Siafullah Khan Niazi, has instructed the central and provincial leadership of the party to prepare for the celebration of historical win of PTI in general elections.

He said workers would offer prayers to thank the Almighty while sweets would also be distributed across the country.