The growing unrest in Pakistan and continuous protests have made Pakistan similar to a battleground. Tens of thousands are gathering, despite the pandemic to raise their voice against the existing government and the prime minister.
The first rally in a series of rallies that are going to be followed was held at Gujranwala on the 16th of October 2020 and the second one followed on the 18th of October in Karachi.
The four major opposition parties, namely, the Pakistan Muslim League, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and Pakistan People’s Party.
Other smaller parties which include the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement and the Baloch National Party have met up to channelize public discontent at rising costs, power cuts, closure of businesses and other economic misery.
Their coalition is called Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
The Protests in Gujranwala
Following quite a while of vulnerability and speculation, the Pakistan Democratic Movement — an alliance of 11 parties from across Pakistan held its first protest rally in the city of Gujranwala on 16th October 2020.
Recently, Pakistan has begun to feel the squeeze. People have been demanding justice against the barbarities done by the army and asking for the prime minister Imran Khan’s resignation.
Many are touting this as a civil disobedience movement. The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PMLN) government has slammed the Imran Khan government saying that political revolution in the country will be possible only through the newly formed alliance, the Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM).
Imran Khan government, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf which came to power in Pakistan in 2018 has been referred to as COVID-18 by Rana Sanaullah, the President of one of Pakistan’s major opposition party PMLN.
Sanaullah also complained that COVID-18 (PM Imran Khan) has done more damage to the country than the virus from Wuhan. A huge number of political workers and allies from across Pakistan went to this rally.
This was perhaps the greatest demonstration of solidarity by the generally divided Pakistani opposition in recent years. The primary participant of the dissent was Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
She is the daughter of Pakistan's previous Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Vice President of his party. She was welcomed by thousands as she ventured out of her residence.
This was trailed by a tumultuous welcome at the dissent site. Maryam Nawaz Sharif gave an ultimatum to the prime minister. She reiterated her promise stating that the Imran Khan government will be thrown out by January.
She stated that this is the beginning of the end of illegal Imran khan government. The three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is being currently treated in London addressed the rally through a video conference.
What Was Exceptional About Nawaz Sharif's Speech?
Nawaz Sharif made two roaring assaults against the Army’s part in governmental issues in Pakistan, blaming Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for Pakistan’s problems.
The Imran Khan government on multiple occasions has declared that they are on the same page as the Pakistan Army. The PDM is thus targeting both alike.
Sharif’s speeches are extraordinary and elevate his fight against the Army to the next level. No legislator, especially one hailing from Punjab, of Sharif's height has openly challenged the nation's Herculean organization thusly.
This is the first time that such an assault has come from the opposition when a civilian government is in office. In spite of the fact that the pandemic seems to have tapered down, the report card on Imran Khan's 27 months in office is dingy.
As indicated by the World Bank, Pakistan's development rate has contracted from 1.9% in FY2019 to –1.5% in 2020. The inflation is at 10.7% this year, four focuses higher than in 2019. What has kept Pakistan above water is the mixture of financial aid.
The Protest in Karachi
The meeting in Karachi followed a dissent by the alliance in eastern Gujranwala city on Friday, which was the greatest show of strength against Khan since he got down to political business.
Talking by means of video interface from London to the Gujranwala gathering, Sharif denounced the Army General Qamar Javed Bajwa of meddling with the 2018 elections and arranging his ouster in 2017 in what he said were exaggerated accusations supported by the judiciary.
The PDM has chosen their Gen Next leaders: Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz, and Bilawal Bhutto, the son of Asif Ali Zardari.
The unreasonable choice of Maulana Fazlur Rahman, leader of the JUI(F) as president of PDM, evaded a potential authority brawl between the Sharifs and the Bhutto-Zardaris.
The Future
PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that all the administrators will present their resignation letter to their respective party chiefs by the 31st of December.
Many are convinced that the en masse acquiescence is the best way to bring government on its knees and compel it to call early elections.
The PPP government in the Sindh area was considered as an obstacle as it didn't know whether that it would forfeit its administration to help the Opposition alliance.
The leaders likewise consented to proceed with a rally in Lahore on December 13 as a demonstration of power to the public authority. It will be the 6th rally after comparative social gatherings held in Gujranwala, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, and Multan.
Written by – Bhavana N
Edited by – Christeena George
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