Fingers crossed as the PDM leaders and the Peshawar administration refused to budge on their stated positions regarding the Opposition’s rally on Ring Road in KP capital on Sunday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.
Preparations for the Sunday rally were in full swing as all the component parties of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) have installed banners at the venue of the rally.
PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz on Saturday left Jati Umrah for Islamabad to participate in the PDM public rally in Peshawar amid the government’s repeated warnings about coronavirus cases spread.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and several of his ministers fired warning shots through Twitter on Saturday accusing the Opposition of doing reckless politics and ignoring the soaring second wave of coronavirus.
Before leaving Jati Umra, Maryam Nawaz spent some time at her mother’s grave and offered fateha before heading for Islamabad.
PM Imran says PDM playing ‘reckless’ politics with people’s safety
The government and 11-party opposition alliance are sticking to their stances on Peshawar’s rally where the former is cautioning about not to arrange the large-scale gatherings amid COID-19 spread fears and the latter vowed to press ahead with their plan.
It is pertinent to note that Peshawar City administration had denied the PDM the permission for a gathering in the City "after considering all aspects, and to safeguard human lives due to potential spread of COVID-19."
Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) which has a strong foothold in Peshawar has also expected to bring in a good number of workers to the rally.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman is in Peshawar while PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Maryam Nawaz were due in Peshawar on Saturday night. Senators Sajid Mir, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Shah Awais Noorani and Dr Abdul Malik Baloch will also reach Peshawar on Saturday night.. The central leaders of the PDM will attend a luncheon at Bilour House on Sunday.
Earlier, Maryam Nawaz tweeted, “While a mask gives you protection from COVID-19, ‘Vote ko izzat do’ narrative & struggle will protect you from ‘Covid-18’ and all such future attempts, Insha’Allah. Protect yourself, protect your vote.”
https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/1329765124916260864
PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah talking to media persons in Lahore said the PDM Peshawar public rally will go ahead as planned. “If the government’s “corona” stayed around for six more months then all the people would die with starvation. We don’t need any permission before running a movement,” Rana Sanaullah said.
PPP leader Sherry Rehman responding to Imran Khan’s statement on PDM jalsa amid high rate ratio of COVID-19 in Peshawar said: “Imran Khan should also wear a mask before asking others.”