Workers march to Qilla Kohna Qasim Bagh as PDM holds rally in Multan
Workers gather as PDM set to hold public rally in Multan
MULTAN (Dunya News) – The workers of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Monday have started marching towards Multan’s Qilla Kohna Qasim Bagh from Ghanta Ghar Chowk for power show of opposition parties despite ban on public gatherings due to coronavirus.
According to details, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Aseefa Bhutto will make her political debut by leading a caravan from Gillani House to the venue. She will represent her party chairman Bilawal Bhutto, who will address the rally via video link as he is in isolation after being tested positive for coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e Islam- Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rahman will start his journey from Jamia Qasim-ul-Uloom whereas Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz is expected to lead her caravan from Chungi number 9.
On the other hand, the Punjab government and local administration denied permission to the opposition parties for the meeting owing to increasing virus cases and sealed the area by placing containers and deploying large number of security personnel.
The local administration has also removed the tents, chairs and other equipment from the venue. Mobile phone and internet services have also been partially suspended in Multan to avoid any untoward incident.
Earlier, over 40 workers and leaders of PDM including ex-Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani’s son Ali Qasim Gillani and PML-N leader Saad Khursheed Kanju were arrested over clash with police officers deployed at Qilla Kohna Qasim Bagh.
The political workers carried out a rally from Gillani House and clashed with police at Chowk Ghanta Ghar. A case was also registered against over 300 unidentified people for vandalism.
‘Punjab govt directs to remove barriers put on roads to stop PDM rally’
Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) for Political Communication Shahbaz Gill has said that Government of Punjab has directed concerned officials to remove all obstacles put on road to stop PDM rally.
The prime minister’s aide said that concerned officials have been directed to not stop any worker or leader of opposition parties who is arriving to attend PDM’s rally in Multan.
PDM will send selected government packing: Maryam Nawaz
PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz said that the incumbent government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is afraid of opposition not coronavirus.
She said that PDM is a peaceful association of opposition parties which only demands sanctity of vote. PDM is standing for restoration of rights and reduction in inflation but the selected government is agreed on war against nation to hide its incompetence, she added.
She further wrote that the local administration tortured innocent workers of PDM. We will now not only condemn this fascist act but also resist it, she told.
This movement will surely send you packing, she added.
Selected govt is incarnation of dictatorship: Bilawal Bhutto
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that his party leadership and workers braved the worst dictators and their remnants’ intimidation, torture and imprisonments resulting in martyrdoms, for the cause of democracy and a stronger Pakistan.
He said that reports of intimidations, arrests and physical torture on PPP Jiyalas ahead of the Foundation Day rally have proven that the selected government is infact an incarnation of dictatorship.
“PPP has fought against dictators for five decades and defeated them with the unflinching support of people. It is now selected and puppets’ turn to taste defeat and forever be buried in the political graveyard of their predecessors,” he added.
PM Imran not going anywhere due to rallies: Sheikh Rashid
Federal Minister for Pakistan Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Prime Minister Imran Khan is not going anywhere due to PDM rallies and PTI government will complete its term of five years.
He reiterated that the government is ready to hold dialogues with the opposition on all issues except the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases and NRO.
“Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) President Fazal-ur-Rehman talked about retaliation. He must understand that it is a matter of the supremacy of law. Fazal-ur-Rehman should not go towards political dead end. Inexperienced politicians will become a cause of political mishaps."
Unemployed PDM politicians gone blind in lust of power: Firdous Ashiq
Special Assistant to the Punjab Chief Minister on Information Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said unemployed politicians of selfish PDM have gone blind in lust of power.
She said PDM is not refraining from putting the lives of people in danger and is providing favorable atmosphere for coronavirus to spread.
Firdous Ashiq Awan said it is the peak of hypocrisy that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has locked down several districts in Sindh due to COVID-19 and is bringing buses full of people in Punjab from Sindh for Multan rally.
PDM is taking revenge from the people of Punjab, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan added.
