(Lahore) A long march to Islamabad; by late January or early
February; was announced by the Pakistan Democratic Movement on Sunday; as it
put on a show of power at Lahore's Minar-e-Pakistan.
The event was
hosted by the PML-N.
Even though the organizers of the jalsa had asked the attendees to reach the venue at 2pm; hundreds of supports gathered there early on despite the cold weather; enthusiastically chanting slogans; carrying flags; and warming up the atmosphere. PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz in her address urged supporters to answer the call for a march to Islamabad; while PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari formally announced that PDM is now headed to the capital. PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the march will take place late January or early February.
“We will take
our resignations” - Fazlur Rehman
With the tall and
imposing Minar-e-Pakistan behind him; Fazlur Rehman saluted the crowd's passion
and enthusiasm. ‘The resolve that you have shown will prove to be a milestone
in history;’ he said. ‘The country is currently ruled by an illegitimate
government;’ the PDM chief said. He vowed that the government "will be one
of the people’. ‘This system of rigging will no longer work.’ Fazlur Rehman
said that people's emotions are now turning to that of anger and resentment and
the Opposition's movement is aimed at addressing their woes and securing
stability for Pakistan. ‘Let us all make a vow today. We must keep our land
free;’ he said to the crowd. ‘And like a free nation; we have to forge our own
identity.’ He said that never in 73 years did India dare such a move but today
has "illegally occupied Kashmir and swallowed it whole’. ‘Today the poor
are unemployed and inflation has broken the backs of the people;’ he said;
adding that the youth to whom golden dreams were shown have no source of income
today. Taking the prime minister to task; he said: ‘When he was staging
sit-ins, he had benefactors, and now that he is in the government, it is
because he was brought here.’ Fazlur Rehman said that the PDM demands the rule
of the Parliament. ‘We will not allow the Parliament to be held hostage.’ He
vowed that electoral reforms will be brought in for free elections and people's
rights will be safeguarded; as well as those of the provinces. He also promised
freedom of speech and protection of media, and the eradication of terrorism. ‘We
will march towards Islamabad in late January or early February;’ he announced. Fazlur
Rehman said that all Opposition parties will ‘take our resignations with us’. ‘We
will no longer allow the illegitimate government to rule. We will only rest
after it is brought to an end.’
“Islamabad; we
are coming” - Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari
Bilawal began his
address by saying the PPP's foundations were laid in Lahore by party founder
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He paid tribute to all those who had died in Lahore but
never bowed to dictators. He said that PDM is reaching out to every town and
village. ‘Things are in a dismal state with today's incompetent; illegal and
unqualified government. People have nothing but curses in their hearts and on
their lips.’ The PPP chairman said that these ‘fools have no clue or wisdom
about history’; adding: ‘When have we ever feared dictators? We have burned all
our boats. He said that when the people band together in a show of force like
today ‘chains of oppression are broken’. ‘Your victory is near;’ he said; to a
roaring crowd. ‘InshaAllah this puppet government will be sent home.’ He said
that although students; traders; doctors; and shopkeepers are all in deep
distress; the future of Pakistan is bright. ‘The government cannot feel the
pain of the people because they did not come through your vote. This is not the
choice of the people.’
Bilawal said that
the ‘biggest joke’ was being pulled with Punjab, where the ‘fake government’
has no concern for the people's rights. ‘In the city of lights there is nothing
but darkness;’ he added. The PPP chairman said that PDM stands by the people of
Lahore. He said that it is the platform's demand to free Opposition Leader
Shahbaz Sharif and PPP's Khurshid Shah. Bilawal said that when students demand
their rights through student unions; there is ‘police gardi’; when doctors and
nurses ask for their rights; force is used against them and when farmers ask
for their rights, they are ‘martyred’. ‘But the night of the oppression is
about to end;’ he said. The PPP chairman said that all the Opposition parties
have put aside their political differences and are standing together on the
platform of PDM. He said this was done ‘so we can restore your rightfully
chosen leaders’. ‘This isn't a fight for rule. This is a war to deliver roti,
kapra and makaan (food; clothing and shelter). This is a war for the youth; for
the labourers and for all of you.’ ‘We have sacrificed our lives for this
democracy. And we will defend this democracy and your votes with our blood;’
Bilawal added. ‘Now the selectors must hear us: You will have to accept the
people's voice and decision. There is no other way. The time for dialogue is
over. ‘Now there will be a long march! Islamabad we are coming! When we reach
Islamabad; we will snatch the undeserving prime minister's resignation. We are
united and we will chase out the puppet;’ he declared. ‘From Gilgit to Lahore
and from Lahore to Karachi; there is one voice. The theft of votes [...] of
democracy and Constitution is unacceptable.’
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