ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar has warned the opposition against breaking the law in wake of its upcoming protest drive, saying "no one will be allowed to break the law in the name of democracy".

Talking to media persons here on Saturday, he also advised the opposition to avoid public rallies because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The government's policy is very clear on the opposition's public rallies. Opposition may do whatever it wants within the ambit of the law but no one will be allowed to break the law in the name of democracy," he warned.

Umar said that it was the responsibility of the government and its policy to abide by the law, adding that the opposition also needed to show responsibility, and avoid public gatherings due to the coronavirus situation in the country.

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) - the anti-government alliance of opposition political parties - has announced a series of public rallies starting from Gujranwala on October 16, followed by a major rally in Karachi on October 18, as part of its anti-government drive.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020