PDM to flex political muscle from Gujranwala rally

KARACHI: Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of major opposition parties, is set to kick off its its anti-government campaign from its first rally in Gujranwala on Friday.

Large numbers of supporters of PML-N, PPP, JUI-F and other parties are expected to gathered at the Jinnah Stadium.

Maryam Nawaz, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Maulan Fazlur Rehman will address the crowd.

Meanwhile, 7,000 policemen and officers have been deployed at the Jinnah Stadium for security reasons.

The venue of the PDM’s public gathering has been decorated with flags and banners of all opposition parties.

On the other hand, police have also prepared a plan to stop the caravans going to attend the rally. More than 24 entry and exit points to the city have been cordoned off and more than 45 mobile police teams have continued their patrols across the district.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that incompetent governments are being imposed on us. “We have to think for the betterment of the country,” he stated.

While addressing the people at Jamia Ashrafia, Maulana Fazl further said that anti-Islam forces are being promoted in the country.

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said the PDM s Gujranwala rally will be a decisive referendum against the incompetent and corrupt government.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said blockades are being erected but lions of Nawaz Sharif are arriving in large numbers. She said, “The public meeting will be successful. Workers have been present at the venue since night.”

“Cases were lodged against us and we were threatened. The government blocked routes when it could not do anything. Shibli Faraz should start writing his resignation. The content of his resignation will also be provided by us.”\

Live Transmission PDM Rally and Jalsa https://t.co/4hB0QV677c

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) October 16, 2020

Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan claims opposition spent Rs1.03 billion on Gujranwala rally

Punjab government spokesman Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan has claimed that the opposition parties have spent Rs1.03 billion on a rally scheduled to be held in Gujranwala today.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader said that the opposition parties have been allowed to hold protest while following strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent the covid-19 spread.

The Punjab government has rejected PML-N statements regarding blockage of routes leading to PDM’s Gujranwala rally and made the agreement with the opposition public.

The agreement was signed by PML-N leaders Pervaiz Malik and Khawaja Imran Nazir. From management, the agreement was signed by Lahore Deputy Commissioner Mudassir Riaz and DIG Operations.

According to the document of concurrence, PML-N approved vice-president Maryam Nawaz’s rout from Jati Umrah to Batti Chowk via Adda Plot Interchange and it was decided that other routes will remain closed due to security reasons.

Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat said in his statement that PML-N’s claim of blocking roads in Lahore is false.