PDM stages protest in Sialkot against ‘back-breaking’ inflation

SIALKOT: The opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Saturday staged an anti-government demonstration in Sialkot to protest against ‘back-breaking’ inflation, rowing unemployment and economic devastation.

Addressing the protestors, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif demanded immediate and transparent elections. “We need transparent elections as this is the only solution to inflation,” he said.

“The government is not representative of the people, it is working for the mafia,” Jamiat Ahle Hadith leader Sajid Mir said, adding that the opponents of Nawaz Sharif were also remembering fondly him now.

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the series of protests would continue. “Demonstrations will be held in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Sahiwal and Mian Channu tomorrow,” she said, adding that PDM will also hold protests against inflation in Nawabshah, Dadu, Thatta, Sujawal and Mithi.

Protesters were carrying party flags, placards, banners, portraits of Nawaz Sharif and opposition leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif. They were chanting slogans in favour of their leaders and against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The opposition alliance kicked off its 15-day nationwide protest on Wednesday against continuous rise in prices of petroleum products and edibles. According to the alliance, the PDM would stage protests in big cities of the country and afterward, it will make a decision about holding public meetings or a long march.

Earlier, the Opposition Alliance’s spokesman Hafiz Hamdullah had said committees would be formed at the provincial level to hold the protests. “Committees will be formed in Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Islamabad to determine the locations of the protests”, he added.

Hamdullah further said that the duration of the demonstrations is two weeks which can be extended over time. “The PDM leadership and members of the parliament will participate in the protests as much as possible,” the spokesperson had added.