PPP to hold meeting at Liaquat Bagh on Dec 27, says Kaira

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Punjab president Qamar Zaman Kaira on Tuesday said that federal government tried to create hurdles in the way of a public meeting in Rawalpindi, but the party was granted permission by the Lahore High Court (LHC) to observe the death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto at Liaquat Bagh on Dec 27.

While speaking in a press conference at PPP media house, Qamar Zaman Kaira said, Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif should come back to the country and fulfill his responsibility to lead the opposition and Maryam Nawaz should also break her silence.

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Accompanied by PPPP secretary general Farhatullah Babar, information secretary Dr Nafisa Shah, Mr Kaira said the PPP was observing the death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto at Liaquat Bagh for the first time and workers of the party would ensure their presence at the public meeting from all over the country.

“The party had informed Rawalpindi’s district administration on Dec 1 and the administration informed the PPP just last night that the permission to hold jalsa at Liaquat Bagh on Dec 27 has been refused,” he added.

He said the PPP approached the high court and informed it about the situation and the party was allowed to continue preparations for the jalsa at Liaquat Bagh. “The administration is responsible for providing security. The PPP will give its future strategy in that jalsa,” he said.

Mr Kaira recalled that at the time when Benazir Bhutto had addressed the public meeting in Liaquat Bagh, the country was going through a dire situation and once more the situation demanded leadership. “Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is the only leader who can provide that leadership to the country,” he said.

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He said the date for the public meeting was announced at the PPP’s foundation day function in Muzaffarabad on Nov 30, but efforts were being made to stop its political activities.

Mr Kaira said holding a public gathering was the right of every party and the PPP would exercise that right. He thanked the court for allowing the PPP to hold its public meeting.