Punjab govt not to allow PDM rallies in Lahore, Multan

ISLAMABAD: Owing to the growing number of coronavirus cases in the country over the past few weeks, the Punjab government has decided that it will not allow the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to hold public meetings in Lahore and Multan, sources told Geo News.

As per sources, a government spokesperson said that there has been a recent surge in the number of reported COVID-19 positive cases in both the cities because of which banning public gatherings has become necessary.

“The Punjab government will issue a written notification to stop the PDM from holding rallies,” the spokesperson said, according to sources, adding that all relevant agencies and institutions have unanimously agreed to the decision.

The provincial government has also announced that it will take legal action against those who violate the orders and hold public meetings without the explicit permission of the government.

Our correspondent adds from Multan: Former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Sunday said nobody could stop the PDM Multan meeting and it would be held as per schedule.

Talking to reporters during a PP-215 workers convention, the former PM said despite all obstructions and refusal of the officers concerned, a glorious historic meeting was held in Peshawar.

He said there will be a meeting in Multan too and no one can counter the power of the people.

He said PDM meeting will be held on November 30 in Multan in any case. If arrests are made, there will be rallies in every city, he warned.

He said the PFM Multan meeting will be of historical significance.

South Punjab PPPP general secretary Natasha Daultana applied to get permission to held meeting.

Condoling ex-PM Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and other family members, he said the death of his mother is a great tragedy.

He said during the last election in Multan, the PPP had held a house full meeting at Multan stadium alone. He said the PDM movement was fighting for human rights, implementation of the constitution, eradication of poverty and freedom of the press.

To a query, he said f the government’s statement that opposition rallies were the cause of increase in coronavirus, then it should be stated who was responsible for the increase in corona where rallies were not taking place. Gilani urged the officers to pay attention to good governance.

PPP office-bearers Manzoor Qadri, Khawaja Rizwan Alam, Malik Naseem Labar, Malik Arshad Iqbal Bhatta, Rana Naik Muhammad Zahid, Nafees Ansari, Mir Ahmad Kamran Magsi, Naveed Jiva, Chaudhry Yaseen, Khawaja Imran, Deputy Mushtaq Ansari and others were also present on the occasion.