Pakistan Zindabad Movement stages rally in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Zindabad Movement held a rally in support of the Pakistan Army in Pajagai near Ring Road here on Tuesday.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member Provincial Assembly Javed Naseem had organised the rally that was attended by people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.

The speakers included PTI MPA Obaidullah Mayar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KPCCI) President Zahidullah Shinwari, former MPAs Atifur Rehman and Ibrahim Qasmi, Major (R) Naeem, Member National Assembly Ayesha Gulalai, former Senator Rashid Ahmed Khan from Kurram Agency and Malik Banat Khan from South Waziristan.

The speakers highlighted the sacrifices of the Pakistan Army in restoration of peace in the country and said that the rally was organised to inform the masses about the threats to the state from anti-state elements.

Speaking on the occasion, Zahid Shinwari said that terrorism had affected businesses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata. He said that the security forces restored peace and rehabilitated and restored local business activities.

Malik Banat Khan said the Pakhtuns should know that the path of confrontation with the state would result in death and destruction. He advised the Pakhtun youth not to fall prey to anti-state propaganda.

A young and enthusiastic speaker urged the Pakhtuns to fight those who try to promote western and Indian culture. “I urge the brave Pakhtuns to fight against those who play Indian songs,” he maintained.

He said that Afia Siddiqui was the daughter of the nation while Malala was given Nobel Peace prize for maligning Pakistan Army.

The participants had brought national flags and white flags with portraits of Javed Nasim with messages that read “Siyasat Nahi Riasat Bachao.”

During discussion with the participants of the rally it was noted that many among them were unaware of the purpose of the gathering.

A group of Chamkani tribal youth from Kurram Agency told this scribe that they were told that a rally was being held in Peshawar for the return of tribespeople to Parachinar and this was the reason they were attending the event.

Another man, wearing the Pashteen cap made famous by the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Manzoor Pashteen, was asked as to why he was wearing this particular cap and attending an anti-PTM rally. His reply was that he did not know what the cap signified.

He added that he was attending the rally because their leader would be getting the PTI ticket at this event for contesting the next general election.