LAHORE: The United Democratic Front leaders held their public meeting here this afternoon [June 3] on Shahrah-i-Quaid-i-Azam near the Anarkali crossing while workers of the Opposition and the ruling party tried to hold each other at bay with brick batting. The original venue of the meeting, Gol Bagh, was heavily guarded by Punjab Police and the Federal Security Force. … People’s Party workers were also present. …

The UDF leaders made a dramatic entry … after the Asr prayers. As people thronged around the top leaders of the Opposition, they addressed the people from the top of a taxi with the help of a microphone. … The President of the [UDF], Pir Pagaro, said the UDF leaders had come out in the field for the people’s rights. … He said it was our Islamic duty to get united. He congratulated the people of the Punjab for demonstrating courage under the shadow of authoritarian rule.

Speaking next, Khan Abdul Wali Khan … said: “The days of the People’s Party are numbered. … ” Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan … called upon the nation to demonstrate complete solidarity in the face of the elements “which anticipate their death if democracy prevails in the country.” — News agencies

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2023