PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, addressing a meeting of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) in Peshawar on Sunday, vowed to overthrow the government that would come with January as “the last month in power”.
The gathering was held despite the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s failure to seek permission to do so in light of a growing security threat from the Corona virus.
Strict security arrangements were made in view of reports of a possible terrorist attack on the gathering.
The central leadership of the PDM, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maryam Nawaz, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Aimal Wali Khan, Sardar Akhtar Mengal and Aftab Sherpao, were on stage with speeches by various political leaders.
“People will now decide how Pakistan will rule and what kind of leadership will rule over it,” Bilawal said in a long speech at the gathering.
The PPP chairman claimed that there were protests against electoral fraud in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Bilawal said, “Voices are being raised from inside Gilgit-Baltistan that ‘do not steal votes’.
Addressing the people of the province in particular, he said that by accusing the incoming government of abandoning them, they would never be left to restrain themselves.
He claimed, “The whole Pakhtunkhwa, ‘Go, Imran, go!’ Is demanding: “This is the land of the brave, the honorable. “
He said that the people of the land had made innumerable sacrifices in the war against terrorism but the elected officials did not dare to raise their voice against the terrorists.
Bilawal said that terrorism has once again raised its ugly head and “we will not allow this puppet to be caught again”.
“We know how to protect this land,” he added.
Bilawal accused the opposition of “playing with people’s lives” as the Corona virus cases are on the rise, citing government statements leading to the rally, saying: “When it is time for the people to protest. The government reminds us of the corona virus, but when we demand an increase in the salaries of doctors, nurses and paramedics on the front line, they forget everything about it.
The PPP chairman said the “burden of an elected government” was being borne by the common man.
“Before there was a crisis of flour, sugar and oil, and now there will be a gas crisis,” he said. “People can’t even buy eggs, let alone chicken at higher prices,” he added.
He vowed to give KP its due share, and lamented that the province was not given Rs 100 billion due to the incompetence of the FBR (Federal Board of Revenue). ۔
Bilawal asked why it was that Pak-China was not sharing the benefits of the Economic Corridor with the people of KP.
“These rulers shouted the most against corruption but they turned out to be the most corrupt,” he said, adding: “Doesn’t the NAB think about what kind of corruption took place in Malam Jabba?” Doesn’t that raise the question of what led to the development of sewing machines? Buildings in New York? “
Bilawal swore that the NAB itself would be “accountable”. “When it comes time to settle accounts, people will hold them all accountable,” he said.
In between Bilawal’s speeches, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz briefly appeared on the stage and addressed the rally participants, offering prayers with her grandfather who passed away this morning in London. K’s father, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s health. .
Fazlur Rehman says that itikaf will be a ‘sin’
PDM chief Fazlur Rehman was the last to address the event. He expressed regret over the inability of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz to attend and offered condolences on the death of her grandmother Shamim Akhtar.
He also expressed condolences to the family of Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth and Tehreek-e-Lubaik Pakistan chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi on his demise.
Fazlur Rehman said all political parties were in agreement and it was the movement’s “clear position” that the current government came to power through “rigged elections”.
He claimed that all the PDM rallies so far have seen massive turnout, leaving the government “nervous”.
The PDM chief said that large rallies were held in Gujranwala, Quetta and Karachi and today, the rally in Peshawar is a referendum. He claimed that the people “rejected the rigged government”.
“We have declared war, retreating from the battlefield is a grave sin,” he added.
Fazlur Rehman accused the government of “destroying” Pakistan’s economy and failed on the diplomatic front. “You are incredible in the eyes of the nation and its neighbors,” he said.
Fazlur Rehman added: “We have come together to save the country,” adding: “The future of the country is insecure under their government.”
He vowed, “We will make the country Pakistan, which means – a nation ruled by democracy and parliament.”
He said the opposition would “never compromise on the NFC (National Finance Commission) award and the province’s obligations.”
‘People boycotted the rally’
Information Minister Shibli Faraz in his televised address paid tribute to the people of KP. “They boycotted the rally and proved that they are people with political insight,” Faraz remarked.
He added that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had saved themselves from Corona at the request of (Prime Minister) Imran Khan and thwarted the “anti-people agenda” of the opposition.
Faraz claimed that the “lack of interest” and “low participation” of the people reflected the people’s “distrust in the opposition”.
“The Corona epidemic is a fact, not an arrogance,” he said, adding:
He said the opposition had “always put its own interests first” rather than respecting the law and public health.
“I ask participants to keep to themselves.”
Security, Dangers of Corona Virus
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister KP Kamran Bangash said there was a “call traced” this morning which has increased the threat of terrorism to the public gathering.
Bangash said security at the rally has been beefed up and PDM leaders and venue management have also been alerted to security threats.
The government has banned outdoor gatherings of more than 300 people following an increase in infections in the country due to the second wave of corona virus.
According to a government statement, the organizers of the rally are responsible for enforcing safety precautions at the rally, and will be responsible for any deaths or spread of the corona virus as a result of the incident.
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