PDM jalsa: In Quetta mass contact rally, Opposition leaders say 'sun about to set' on PTI govt

QUETTA: The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), in a show of defiance coupled with street power, held its third anti-government rally in the Balochistan capital on Sunday and reiterated their resolve to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying "the sun is about to set" on his government.

The gathering was held at Quetta's Ayub Stadium, despite a warning by the government that militants can target it.

Among the PDM leadership, PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, as well as JUI-F chief and PDM leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, all addressed the large show of supporters who gathered to hear the Opposition speak.

Maryam began by saying sentiments of Pakistanis were hurt after depictions of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) were projected onto government buildings in France.

She asked the people to raise their hands and record their protests against such disrespectful actions.

The PML-N vice-president also lamented over the non-provision of scholarships to the students of Balochistan. "The students of Balochistan and Punjab are close to my heart."

"The children of Balochistan were crying on the streets for the last 12 days [for their scholarships] but no one inquired about their condition," she said, hoping that their scholarships would be resumed.

"I love the people of Balochistan more than the people of Punjab," she said, speaking of her intentions behind donning a traditional Balochi dress.

Jalsa attendees were heard chanting intermittently: "Charon subon ki awaz Maryam Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz (The voice of four provinces Maryam Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz)" and "Vote ko izzat do (give respect to vote)".

Maryam stressed that the people of Balochistan have just as much a right to elect their own representatives as anyone else in the country.

Talking about a girl who had approached her ahead of the jalsa and informed her that three of her brothers had "disappeared", she said that when she and her father were detained, she did not cry, however, after hearing the girl's story, her eyes were full of tears.

Maryam said she remembers Dr Shazia, and Nawab Akbar Bugti, and how his loved ones were "not allowed to take a look at his body".

Slamming the ones who entered her hotel room in Karachi, she asked whether these were Pakistan's norms. "Do you people accept this?" she asked the jalsa attendees.

Maryam also asked how it was that after former military ruler Pervez Musharraf was indicted, "the courts that sentenced him were dismantled".

Have Quaid-e-Azam's teachings been followed? Have interventions in politics stopped? Has the Constitution been respected? Have public representatives been allowed to make policies?

The PML-N leader said that the teachings of Pakistan's founder were being erased and demanded that the people's elected representatives be allowed to rule. "Don't install a fake government," she said.

She said Balochistan is in the state it is because the vote of the people of Balochistan had not been respected. "[Pakistan's] freedom and existence will be in jeopardy if we do not stop this today."

Referring to the Supreme Court's detailed decision on the reference against Qazi Faez Isa that was quashed, she said: "Imran Khan and his selectors should resign over their historic defeat."

She said Islamabad High Court Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui should also be served justice, adding that the "sun is about to set" on the current "dictatorial regime". "The puppet show will soon come to an end," she said.

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was next to address the gathering remotely, via video link. Speaking from Shigar in Gilgit-Baltistan, Bilawal said that his party would not pull out from the PDM.

"We can move two steps forward, but we will not step back."

'What sort of freedom is this?'

Talking about the people of Balochistan, he said that they were a brave lot and that they had sacrificed many lives for their rights.

The PPP chairman said the people whether from Karachi, Gujranwala, or Quetta, all want freedom and the rule of democracy.

The people want the freedom to breathe and speak.

Lashing out at the state the country has been driven to by the incumbent government, he said: "What sort of freedom is this that neither are the people free, nor is there is a free democracy."

The PPP chairman said that the Opposition is not only present together on the (rally) stage, but are on a single page.

'Dictators at large'

Bilawal also spoke of military rule in Pakistan, saying that after Musharraf's tenure ended, "we have been condoning the tyranny of dictators".

"Pakistanis have been sold to other countries — there can be no greater corruption and treason than this," he added.

The PPP chairman said that "the person who had sent his airplanes to kill Akbar Bugti still remains at large".

'No CPEC without Gwadar, Gilgit-Baltistan'

Bilawal, who could not attend the jalsa due to campaign activities in Gilgit-Baltistan, had earlier directed his party workers and supporters to make the public gathering a success.

PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman was the last major Opposition leader to speak, before the event was wrapped up.

He started his address by condemning the dishonourable act in France and Denmark that had violated the sanctity of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

"When such unholy actions are made, remember that there will be a reaction," Fazl warned.

Karachi incident speaks of 'moral bankruptcy'

The PDM chief condemned the Karachi incident where reportedly law enforcement officials had entered Maryam Nawaz and her husband, retired Captain Safdar Awan's room by force.

"I term the incident with Maryam and Safdar moral bankruptcy," he said.

They say that raising slogans at Mazar-e-Quaid is a crime and proceeded to launch a probe. Were their eyes closed when a movie shoot took place at a mosque in Lahore?

The JUI-F leader was referring to the incident when Saba Qamar and Bilal Saeed shot a music video inside the historic Wazir Khan mosque.

Fazl said that the incumbent government should resign in light of the Supreme Court's decision on Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

"The apex court's judgement is a clear vindication of PDM's stance."

Foreign ties 'deteriorating'

Talking about the government's foreign policy, he said that Pakistan's ties with its allies — China and Saudi Arabia — are "deteriorating". "These two countries have stood by us in our time of need."

The PDM chief claimed that today, even Afghanistan was not talking about Pakistan. "They (incumbent government) do not have a foreign policy and are not even aware of what it is."

Fazl said that Pakistanis considered Kashmiris as a part of their own identity, however, the government had "struck a deal" and "sold" Kashmir.

He said that India "celebrated" when Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider had been nominated in a sedition case.

'We respect our institutions'

The PDM leader said that the state institutions held immense importance for the country.

We are not the enemy. We respect our institutions.

Fazl warned the government that it would need an NRO, and not the Opposition.

"We do not want the government of the intoxicated we want the government of sharifs (nobles)," Fazil said, in what could be considered a reference to the Sharif family.

Out with 'fake' rulers

The JUI-F leader said that the present rulers in Pakistan were "fake", and that they would remain "fake".

"Our movement against these fake rulers will gain momentum," Fazl warned, adding that Balochistan and Sindh had the right to their islands.

"No one can take over the assets of Balochistan," he said.

Fazl said that the incumbent rulers had destroyed the country's economy and that he had warned earlier that such people should not be given the reigns of government as it would lead to the country's decline.

'Come out for a better Pakistan'

"This journey has started and it will continue [...] If you wish to rid yourselves of oppression, then have the courage and move forward," he said to the people listening in.

He urged them to come out of their homes for a "better Pakistan".

Fazl also said that "powerful people" should not make fun of their "love for the land" and their "loyalty".

'Elections will be held in country soon' — Sherpao

Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) chief Aftab Sherpao, while addressing the crowd prior to the speeches by top-tier leadership, said that people's problems had worsened during the incumbent government's rule.

"Elections will soon be held across the country," he said. "The next government will be formed according to the wishes of the people."

Saying that QWP was ready to "render any sacrifices", Sherpao said that the Opposition wanted to send the government packing.

'Govt betrayed Sardar Akhtar Mengal' — Hoti

Awami National Party (ANP) acting president Ameer Haider Khan Hoti said that the government had "betrayed" the people of Balochistan and their representative, Sardar Akhtar Mengal.

"Pashtuns and Balochis should unite to fight for their rights," he said. "The voice that has risen in Punjab and all over Pakistan [should be heard] and its case should be fought," he added.

Hoti said that the locals of Balochistan had the "first right" on Gwadar before everyone else, adding that he felt happy if the entire country reaped benefits due to the port city.

"Conspiracies are being hatched against the 18th Amendment," he warned, adding that the "selected" will have to go home. "There is no other solution. New elections will be held, no selection will be done [from now on]."

Pre-jalsa meeting

Before the jalsa began, Opposition leaders gathered at a hotel to hold a meeting.

Terror threat

Speaking to Geo News ahead of the rally, PDM organisers said that security arrangements were in place to guard against any untoward incident. DG Izhar Ikram said proper security measures had been taken in light of the terror threat issued by National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA).

NACTA, working directly under the federal interior minister, had issued the alert three days ago, warning that the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan aims to target large gatherings in Peshawar and Quetta.

As a result, the Balochistan government had deployed additional police at the venue.

'PDM jalsa to be held at any cost' — Fazl