Govt allows opposition parties to hold rallies following COVID-19 SOPs

(Karachi) Prime Minister Imran Khan has granted permission to let opposition parties hold rallies and public gatherings across the country following COVID-19 SOPs , media reported.

As per details, the decision was taken during a meeting of the cabinet which was held to mull over political matters of the country. The cabinet ministers gave suggestions to the prime minister that he should allow opposition parties to hold rallies.

After weeks-long deliberation and confusions over what the future might hold for opposition parties’ movement, the federal cabinet finally approved opposition’s plans to hold rallies against the government across Pakistan.

The PM said that holding them back in their futile bid will unnecessarily make them heroes.

The ruling members suggested to the PM that opposition be allowed to bring out their rallies on specific spots while the district authorities in the relevant areas will ensure they follow coronavirus Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Representatives of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of major opposition parties, announced to hold a public rallies in different cities to gather momentum and public support as part of the movement against the government.

As part of the schedule, the PDM will hold public gatherings and rallies in Gujranwala on October 16, Karachi on October 18, and in Quetta on October 25. The opposition parties’ will hold massive gatherings in Peshawar and Multan on November 22 and 30, respectively.

Meanwhile, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said, politically, the government did not fear the opposition’s movement against it, but as the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Covid-19 chairman he was concerned about the spread of coronavirus.

He said data showed that Covid-19 infections, which had declined a couple of months ago, were rising again.

He appealed to the opposition parties to avoid holding huge gatherings and follow SOPs like social distancing and wearing of masks during their protests, adding that “if the opposition wants to launch a movement against the government, it does not need to fill up grounds”.