LAHORE: The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has warned the PTI government against creating hurdles in its Lahore’s Dec 13 rally, saying such tactics may lead to violent clashes.

The PDM leaders Rana Sanaullah (PML-N), Chaudhry Manzoor (PPP), Maulana Ghafoor Haideri (JUI-F) and others held a meeting at Model Town here on Wednesday and discussed preparations for the Dec 13 Minar-i-Pakistan rally.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rana Sanaullah said the public meeting would be held at Minar-i-Pakistan at any cost. “If any hurdle is created in this rally, the government will be responsible for any violent clash,” he said, adding that the PDM was only demanding free and fair elections. He said this selected government would be sent packing during PDM’s march on Islamabad.

Ghafoor Haideri said if the government used a stick to stop the rally, it would get the answer in the same manner.

PML-N secretary information Marriyum Aurangzeb said the PDM had not applied for permission to hold the Dec 13 public meeting. “The massive referendum by people against the PTI government has rendered permission irrelevant,” she said.

The former information minister said the PDM movement had taught Imran Khan several lessons, the first of which was that the true power of the people of Pakistan was larger than the power of the selected premier.

“The second lesson is taught by the massive PDM public meetings in Gujranwala, Quetta, Peshawar, Karachi and Multan that no matter how many containers and personnel the selected government might use, it cannot block these public meetings,” she said.

Marriyum said it was now time for Imran to learn the third lesson which was that these massive public meetings were a rejection of his corrupt, incompetent and failed selected government and were referendums against him.

“Imran should resign before Dec 13 before being disgracefully shown the door by the people of Pakistan,” she demanded.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2020