PDM announces first rally in Quetta on Oct 11 to kick off anti-govt movement

(Karachi) Representatives of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of major opposition parties, have announced that they will hold a rally and public gathering in Quetta on October 11 as part of their anti-government movement.

Addressing a press conference after its first meeting on Tuesday, PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said they will hold a "historic" public gathering in Quetta against the government's inability to run the affairs of the state amicably.

Abbasi said, “Space is shrinking for democracy in Pakistan, inflation is on rise and economy has been ruined.” He added that PDM movement will bring real political change in the country.

"You will see that this movement will give rise to a true political change in Pakistan's political history," Abbasi said, adding that all opposition parties had consensus on the decisions taken today.

He said the movement's future strategy will be decided in the second meeting of the steering committee next Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, former PM and PPP leader Raja Pervez Ashraf said more public gatherings and rallies will be also be organized in other cities to mobilise public to join their movement. He pointed out that the government has failed to improve the economy and brought it to the brink of destruction.

He expressed concern over arrest of Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, saying the move is aimed to sabotage the movement against the government.

He stated that joblessness and inflation has increased in the country. The government believes in politics of revenge and is targeting opposition leaders, he mentioned.

JUI-F’s Maulana Ghafoor Haider said the PTI-led government had lost its credibility in the public and claimed that it failed to provide five million low-cost houses and millions of jobs to the masses as promised prior to 2018 general elections.

He also condemned the arrest of Shehbaz and added that the anti-government movement will continue until it’s dislodged.

Earlier, during the meeting the PDM discussed issues related to rising inflation, unemployment, corruption and economy. The meeting also gave approval to PDM's steering committee, which will play its role in taking the PDM movement forward.

The committee will be headed on the rotational basis and PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal will be first chair of the committee.