Maryam Nawaz has reportedly left PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq's house, where an elaborate lunch was hosted by the party, and is headed for the jalsa venue.
Venue all-set for the jalsa
Even though the organisers of the jalsa had asked the attendees to reach the venue at 2 pm, hundreds of supports already started gathering there early on despite the cold weather, enthusiastically chanting slogans, carrying flags, and warming up the atmosphere.
A large stage has been set up on the steps of Minar-e-Pakistan for the leaders while chairs have been set up on the ground at the forefront. Generators have been hooked up and lights have been installed for the rally beside the all-important sound system.
PML-N leaders Marriyum Aurangzeb and Attaullah Tarar, along with other members, inspected the arrangements. Sources said that the bomb-disposal squad has also examined the venue and have greenlit it as safe.
Changes to the entry route
Sources said that the district administration of Lahore has changed the entry routes to the venue ahead of the jalsa. Per the new plan, Gate no.1 will be open to the public, while Gate no. 2 and 3 will be reserved for the VVIPs. Women participants will be allowed to enter the venue through gate no. 4 and 5.
Lunch at Ayaz Sadiq's house
The PML-N hosted a lunch for the PDM leaders at the residence of former National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq where all PDM leaders were to gather before departing for Minar-e-Pakistan.
Maryam Nawaz, along with Pervez Rasheed, Mohammad Zubair, Musadik Malik, all attended. She was joined by PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto, National Party's Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai,
Speaking to journalists before her departure, she said that the Opposition, along with the masses, will soon "topple the government."
"We are aware of the problems of the people of Lahore," she said. "You all should get out of your house for the sake of the country and help us oust this government."
Threat alert
The senior leadership of the PDM has been warned of a possible "terrorist activity" today.
Lahore police have sent letters to PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maryam Nawaz and lawmakers Khawaja Saad Rafique and Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
"TTP terrorists are coordinating to carry out a terrorist activity on 13 December, 2020. Although details regarding the place of terrorist activity and likely targets is not available, the date (13 December 2020) appears to be significant as a huge public gathering is expected at Minar-e-Pakistan," read the letter.
It states that after the terrorists failed in their attempt in Peshawar, "they are planning to shift their operatives, required material and logistics towards another place (most likely Lahore)".
The letter warns that information available suggests that hostile intelligence agencies along with Afghanistan-based Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan have planned to carry out terrorist activities in Punjab particularly in Lahore.
A meeting was held on December 8 on the Western border to "upsurge (sic) terrorist activities in Pakistan", according to the letter.
These hostile intelligence agencies "may also carry out assassinations of senior political personalities associated with PDM" to create instability in the country, it further warns
"Besides other targets, political and religious personalities or high profile figures of minorities in Punjab Province are on their priority list," the letter adds.
'Those involved in the jalsa will be prosecuted per law'
Ahead of the jalsa, Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar said that politicians, who had been involved in corrupt practices for the last 40 years, now have the audacity to gather at the sacred site of Minar-e-Pakistan and chant anti-corruption slogans.
"[Through the jalsa] innocent people are being exposed to the coronavirus," he said, adding that the government will prosecute those involved in the jalsa according to the law," he wrote on Twitter.
No action against organisers so far
The Punjab government has not permitted the PDM to hold the rally in Lahore citing terror threat and the second wave COVID-19 pandemic.
However, no action has been taken by the provincial government to stop the rally participants. No containers have been set up on the roads, and no other obstruction has been put in place.
Meanwhile, government spokespersons said the law will come into force if the coronavirus standard operation procedures (SOPs) or the law are violated.
from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/2JQPWdS
No comments:
Post a Comment