GUJRANWALA: The Opposition parties, under the banner of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), held its first mass contact campaign today (Friday) in Gujranwala in order to oust the ‘selected’ PTI-led government.
Earlier on Thursday, the alliance was given permission to hold the rally by the government after the Gujranwala District Administration and the PDM reached a 28-point agreement on how the jalsa would be held.
According to the agreement, all roads leading into the city will be opened and containers will be removed. All people who have been arrested in relation to the rally will also be released. No raids will be conducted either.
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz arrived at the rally after an hours-long journey from her Lahore residence and was followed by PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and later Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Fazlur Rehman.
PML-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif also attended the rally through video link from London. Several political leaders, including Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Khawaja Asif and Asif Iqbal addressed the rally. Later, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif also addressed the public gathering.
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz left for the rally from her residence at Jati Umra, Lahore. Talking to Twitter, she said she had left for Gujranwala at 2pm and still hadn’t been able to cross Shahdara outside Lahore.
“There is an ocean of people front, back, right & left. This is unprecedented,” she wrote. Maryam Nawaz also shared pictures and videos of the supporters accompanying her convoy.
I left at 2 pm and I haven’t still been able to cross Shahdra Lahore. There is an ocean of people front, back, right & left. This is unprecedented. Allahu Akbar ????????
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) October 16, 2020
PPP chairman addresses a massive gathering of PPP in Wazirabad. “We will all fulfill the mission of Zulfiqar Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto,” he said. A number of politicians, including PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb and veteran politician Javed Hashmi, are already present at the venue.
Hundreds of supporters and workers gathered at the Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala, in the afternoon after arriving from different cities in the form of rallies. The stadium has a capacity of 35,000. Nearly 10,000 seats were arranged in the ground, while some 25,000 people can be accommodated in the various enclosures at the stadium.
Maryam Nawaz, before her departure, tweeted that she was embarking on this mission as Nawaz Sharif’s foot soldier. “I have dedicated myself to your struggle, your mission for Pakistan and its people,” she added.
I embark on this mission as your foot soldier @NawazSharifMNS I have dedicated myself to your struggle, your mission for Pakistan and it’s people. May Allah be with us and may we return triumphant and victorious Insha’Allah. Pakistan Zindabad ????????
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) October 16, 2020
A fight reportedly broke out between the workers of JUI-F and PML-N at the PDM’s Gujranwala rally. One person was injured during the brawl after which he lost consciousness. He has been shifted to a hospital by the police
This is a developing story
