Parallel governments, selective accountability will not be allowed, says Nawaz Sharif at PDM's first rally

(Karachi) Nawaz Sharif during his address criticized PTI's government for its poor governance. Sharif also accused Pakistan's military leadership of removing his government and installing Imran Khan to power.

Sharif questioned the military's alleged interference in politics and called for the supremacy of the constitution and rule of law.

"Why are elected prime ministers not allowed to complete their five-year term?

"Who is responsible for the two governments in this country? Who is responsible for the state of the country?" asked Nawaz.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice-President Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto arrived at Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala to address the first rally of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), media reported on Friday.

However, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has not reached the venue till filing of this report.

The PDM is an alliance of all opposition parties that initiated a movement against the government demanding the prime minister to resign.

Addressing the rally, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said the people of the country should become part of the anti-government movement to end “unprecedented inflation and bad governance”.

He said PML-N during its last tenure in the government served the people of the country by resolving many issues including loadshedding, inflation and water shortage.

On the occasion, PML-N stalwart Khawaja Asif said all opposition parties of the country have formed the alliance against Prime Minister Imran khan to oust him from the power.

“No one is happy with this government not even his [Imran Khan] own supporters and ‘his selectors’,” he said, adding that PDM will restore the democracy in the country and send the PTI-led government packing.

Earlier in the day, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman led his party caravan from Lahore’s Jamia Ashrafia to Gujranwala while the workers and supporters of the party reached the rally venue directly.

On the other hand, Maryam Nawaz reached Shahdara Mor through Ring Road to take the GT Road to attend PDM Jalsa.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto led his party workers from the residence of Qamar Zaman Kaira in Gujrat to Jinnah Stadium.

Violation of SOPs

The PDM leaders including Maryam Nawaz, Bilawal Bhutto and Maulana Fazlur Rehman violated SOPs on several occasions during the rally as agreed with the government.

They did not wore masks and addressed people at different locations during the Gujranwala journey.

Contrary to the guidelines issued by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) and Punjab government for public gatherings in view of the coronavirus pandemic, there is next to no social distancing and most participants are not wearing masks in the Jinnah Stadium.

According to an agreement, PDM leaders were allowed to address the crowd in the stadium and no speeches are allowed against national security institutions or against the Constitution.

JUI-F, PML-N workers' clash

In an incident of mismanagement, the workers of JUI-F and PML-N reportedly clashed over a minor dispute at Jinnah Stadium. As per details, JUI-F workers were sitting on seats placed at the venue when some PML-N activists asked them to vacate the premises.

This led to an altercation between the two groups. However, after a heated argument, workers from both sides got involved in a fight using fists and blows. One of the workers reportedly fainted and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

PTI lawmakers' reaction

Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) lawmakers responded effectively to the PDM Jalsa.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said that the Pakistan Democratic Movement is holding a baseless gathering. It has no direction. The government has no problem with their gatherings.

He said that this opposition wanted to protect their corruption under the guise of gathering. Accountability of corrupt elements will continue under the leadership of the Prime Minister.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister Shahbaz Gill said that the government would provide clean water, masks, and sanitizers to the people at a meeting in Gujranwala today.

He said that measures would be taken for the convenience of the people and protection from the coronavirus.

Punjab Information Minister Fayyaz ul Hassan Chohan said that the PDM rally will fail badly. He said the people and the workers of these parties know very well how to differentiate between lies and truth.

He stated that we can find those involved in nepotism, money laundering, fake telegraphic transfers, fake bank accounts, and destroyers of the country’s economy in these parties.