Pakistan Democratic Movement organized a rally against the ruling party at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan on Sunday(December 13). PM Imran Khan blamed PDM for endangering people’s lives amid spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths in the country.
The alliance of 11 opposition parties lashed out at the government for attacking democracy and its failure to give relief to the nation. PDM leaders claimed Lahore’s power show “historic and decisive” while the representatives from PTI termed the show as “flop”.
“Let me once again reiterate: I will never give an NRO. Whatever future plans of further blackmail PDM may have, my message is categorical: There will never be an NRO from my govt no matter what tactics the looters devise.” PM Imran Khan wrote on his Twitter.
Former Prime Minister and PML-N supremo, Nawaz Sharif also shared harsh comments with the incumbent prime minister while addressing the rally via video link. “He (PM Imran) says I won’t give an NRO. Who is asking you for an NRO? You and Aleema Khan got an NRO from Saqib Nisar yourself,” said Nawaz.
“Stop political engineering factories in agencies,” Nawaz further added while referring to the role of “establishment” in politics.
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, PPP chairman Bilawal B. Zardari and Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman of JUI-F also addressed the crowd. “The incumbent premier will have to go because he has ruined the country’s economy,” said Maryam.
Maryam also alleged that officials from security agencies were behind PTI’s first power show in Lahore in 2011. She named former ISI head Shuja Pasha as the main facilitator.
PPP Chief Bilawal B. Zardari said,” (PDM’s) war is not for power but for rights( of the people)”.
JUI-F Chief and PDM President Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, while hinting at the opposition’s final long march towards the country’s capital Islamabad, warned, ” In the coming days, I see anarchy in the country. We should handle matters before heading towards anarchy”.
Meanwhile PTI’s ministers also responded to PDM leadership. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi spoke to the media in Multan and remarked that Pakistanis were not to be fooled again by these thieves and looters.
The special assistant to the chief minister of Punjab, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan called PDM leaders “circus players” and “jesters”. “The PDM failed to attract Lahoris to its jalsa,” she said while talking to a private news channel.
Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar also shared his thoughts on PDM’s Lahore power show. He shared a video from the rally with some sarcastic remarks.
PDM has announced a long march to Islamabad next year by late January or early February which could be described as the last battlefield between the government and the alliance of opposition parties.
