LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Lahore President Faisal Mir on Friday accused Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz of using the name of Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to stop the party’s rally at Minar-e-Pakistan and appealed to the military leadership to take notice of the situation.
Addressing party workers in a video message from the Minar-e-Pakistan grounds, Faisal Mir alleged that the PPP was being prevented from holding its political activities on the pretext of directions attributed to the Army chief.
He claimed that the principal secretary to the Punjab Chief Minister had informed him that powerful quarters were conveying such instructions to Maryam Nawaz. Faisal said when he sought clarification, the official allegedly indicated that the CM herself was behind the order.
The PPP leader said the party would comply if its Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari or President Asif Ali Zardari directed workers to vacate the venue. However, he said the party would not leave Minar-e-Pakistan if the move was based only on invoking the Army chief’s name. He questioned why authorities were attempting to stop the gathering after permission had already been granted for the event.
Faisal Mir said the PPP respected the Pakistan Army but added that if the institution’s name was being used to justify action against political workers, the military leadership should intervene and prevent any police operation.
He claimed that police were preparing to launch an operation at the venue and had sealed all entry points to Minar-e-Pakistan.
The PPP leader warned that any action against party workers would further intensify political tensions and appealed for protection of citizens who, he said, had gathered peacefully to exercise their democratic right to hold a convention.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026