The allied-opposition parties vowed to continue their joint struggle against the PTI-led government as they showed their public support in Karachi on Thursday.
The Karachi public meeting was the PPP-led joint opposition's power show staged here to observe the first anniversary of the 2018 general elections as a black day. "The opposition parties, despite differences on some issues, remain united on the matters vital to national interests," said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, speaking at the public meeting at Bagh-e-Jinnah ground.
He alleged that the 2018 general elections were rigged to install a dummy Prime Minister. "Democracy under the selected Prime Minister continues to remain under threat and media under suppression," he said, calling ongoing accountability as 'selective' and unfair.
Bilawal asserted that Pakistan was being run by non-elected IMF's handpicked people. He said that in spite of several reservations on the election results, his party supported the government for the sake of continuation of democratic process. However, PTI government has miserably failed to run the country's affairs, including economy and foreign policy, he said.
"Federation has deprived the provinces of their due monetary rights. The Centre did not release KP province's share amounting Rs 40 billion, Sindh's Rs 116 billion share and Rs 240billion share of Punjab in one year," he lamented.
The PPP chairman termed the federal financial budget-2019 as PTIMF's financial plan and economic massacre of common men. He said PPP believes in the constitution, rule of law and democracy and for that it had signed the Charter of Democracy with PML-N. This move helped restoration of the constitution of the country in 2008.
JUI-F secretary general Senator Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi termed the opposition parties' joint protest a referendum against the rigged elections of 2018 and the 'selected' government.
He lashed out at PTI for failing to ensure 5 million low-cost homes, 10 million jobs and strengthening economy which the ruling party had promised last year. He said 45 percent population of the country was living below the poverty line. He noted hike in prices of essential commodities, gas and electricity and imposition of taxes had made their lives miserable while the government remained unmoved.
The JUI-F leader said that it is obligatory on all Muslims to have unwavering faith in finality of prophethood of Hazrat Mohammad (BUH); therefore, he warned that any attempt to amend the relevant law would bring dire consequences for the government.
He also compared PTI government with PML-N's, saying that despite making tall claims, the PTI government hardly earmarked a meager Rs 9 billion for Diamer Bhasha Dam, while PML-N's had spent Rs 100 billion on this project.
Former speaker National Assembly and leader of PML-N Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the joint opposition had rallied to ensure respect for public vote, democracy and rule of law.
"Former president Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif are being targeted for giving landmark 18th constitutional amendment and making Pakistan a nuclear state, respectively," he said.
Ayaz Sadiq said Imran Khan and his financial team appear confused as to where and how to utilise the money being released under PTI government's $ 6 billion debt deal with International Monetary Fund.
He asserted that people were fed up with the PTI due to high inflation and now they are looking at the opposition parties for resolution of their issues.
Sindh chief minister Murad Ali Shah (PPP), Awami National Party leader Shahi Syed and other leaders from opposition parties were also seen at the power show where supporters of PPP, PML-N, JUI-F and ANP largely attended.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf marked Youm-e-Tashakkur (Thanksgiving Day) to celebrate its historic success on the first anniversary of the general elections 2018. Interestingly, in Sindh PPP rules the province and PTI that rules Pakistan and other provinces along with allies is a party of the opposition in Sindh.