PDM Peshawar rally unfolds amid govt warnings

The much-talked-about rally of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) began in Peshawar on Sunday amid warnings from different quarters of the federal and provincial governments, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The warnings came from Prime Minister Imran Khan to Peshawar Deputy Commissioner citing the latest spurt in coronavirus infections across Pakistan. A number of federal and provincial ministers were also on course to blast the Opposition’s PDM alliance for not paying heed to the warnings of the authorities.

The latest alert came from the security agencies which warned that there was a possibility of an attack on the Peshawar rally, prompting the government to boost the security for the public gathering. They also closed the Motorway from Charsadda to Peshawar’s Ring Road where the event is taking place.

See Also: PM Imran warns PDM of consequences if coronavirus worsens

Despite all the odds, the PDM has set the rally into motion at Sunday noon when the provincial leaders of the PDM component parties started to address the rally. A large number of political activists and supporters have been gathered there by then. The leaders blasted the government for inflation, stealing the vote and a host of other problems being faced by the public today.

The Peshawar rally was PDM’s fourth show of power after Gujranwala, Karachi and Quetta public rallies.

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The TV channel reported that jammers have been installed in and around the stage where key PDM leaders PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other leaders will address.

JUI-F Vice-President Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, JUI-F deputy secretary Akramullah Khan Durrani along with JUI-F Aslam Ghori have left from Hayatabad to rally in Peshawar. Peshawar Traffic Police have closed Rashakai Interchange for all kinds of traffic and asked the commuters to use alternative routes.

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It is pertinent to note that Jamaat-e-Islami is not included in the PDM but somehow JI flags were waived and can be seen on which JI Secretary General Qaiser Sharif took notice and recorded party’s protest over the use of JI flags. PDM Vice-President Abdul Ghafoor Haideri took notice of the incident.

پی ڈی ایم کے جلسے میں جماعت اسلامی کا پرچم اس پر موقف #PDMJalsaPeshawar @JIPOfficial pic.twitter.com/ibGI5Imh5W

— Qaisar Sharif (@Qaisarsharif555) November 22, 2020

On the other hand, Special Assistance to Punjab CM on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan said JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman should fight against coronavirus instead of the government. “When the PDM will try to arrange a rally in Lahore, then the law will welcome the opposition alliance,” she added.

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It is pertinent to mention here that Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that the biggest virus facing Pakistan is the government itself. He also said that PDM’s Peshawar rally will go ahead as planned under all circumstances.

Addressing a news conference in Peshawar on Saturday, the PDM head said that despite the illegitimate government’s efforts, PDM will hold its rally in Peshawar. He said that Sunday’s historic rally will leave the PTI government bamboozled.

Addressing these coronavirus concerns, Fazlur Rehman said that the government is only touting the dangers of coronavirus since it sees no other way of stopping PDM rallies. This illegitimate government itself is the biggest virus, ridding the nation of its rule will be the biggest reprieve, he added.

KP warns of FIRs

The provincial government warned the opposition alliance that they may lodge cases against them if a spike in virus cases is witnessed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after their Peshawar rally.

The warning was conveyed by KP Health Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra and Special Assistant to KP chief minister on Information Kamran Bangash as they called upon the PDM to cancel their public rally.

The local administration of Peshawar on Friday refused the PDM application to hold rally in the provincial capital citing exponential rise in Covid-19 cases. The deputy commissioner in a statement had said Covid-19 positivity rate has exceeded 13 per cent in Peshawar district which is “alarmingly high”.