ISLAMABAD: Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with a delegation visited Sitara Market, G-7 Markaz Islamabad and congratulated Syed Altaf Hussain Shah, President, Rana Akram, Secretary General and other newly elected Office Bearers of the Traders Welfare Association of the market on achieving landslide victory in the elections.
Chairman Founder Group Mian Akram Farid, Vice President ICCI Abdul Rehman Khan, Zubair Ahmad Malik, Muhammad Ejaz Abbasi, Mian Shaukat Masood, Ajmal Baloch, Khalid Chaudhry, Naveed Malik, Sheikh Abdul Waheed, Fahim Khan, Akhunzada Naeem Khan, Chaudhry Ashraf Farzand, Rana Qaiser, Malik Afzal and others were in the delegation.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the promulgation of a balanced rent control act in Islamabad was the dire need of the hour as it was a long standing demand of traders. He said that the absence of a rent law was not only giving rise to rent disputes between the tenants and landlords, it also affected the business activities as well. Therefore, he demanded that a balanced rent law should be promulgated which should protect the genuine rights of the landlords and the tenants. He further said that an amended bill of rent control act was passed by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and emphasized that the National Assembly should pass it as soon as possible while the Chamber would extend full cooperation in this regard.
Expressing his views, Founder Group Chairman Mian Akram Farid and Vice President ICCI Abdul Rehman Khan said that no development work has been done in any market of Islamabad for the last four years due to which the problems of traders were increasing. However, they reiterated that the incumbent leadership of ICCI would do its utmost with CDA and MCI to resolve these issues.
The newly elected President of Traders Welfare Association Syed Altaf Hussain Shah and Secretary General Rana Akram speaking at the occasion said that traders have been facing financial difficulties due to Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns for the last seven months and they needed relief measures from the government. They said that some steps of FBR, CDA and MCI were adding to the problems of traders and said that ICCI should play its role in resolving such issues through dialogue with these institutions.
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Saturday warned the authorities that inflation above 6 percent can hurt economic growth in the country in post-corona slowdown and a careful strategy is required to keep it in control.
In a written statement issued here, FPCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar said that Pakistan inflation reaches over 9 percent in Sept against stable annual inflation rate of 1.2 percent across the world amidst dropping food and energy rates, calling for putting the economy on a balanced and sustainable growth trajectory, addressing the underlying structural vulnerabilities, as low export growth, limited foreign exchange reserves, documentation of economy and higher food inflation are still major challenges to the economy.
He said that there is a consensus that a low inflation rate helps economic activities, while high inflation hurts economic growth. The high inflation environment affects decision making of all economic agents in economy, like investors, savers, consumers and producers through uncertainty about the expected payoffs from their decisions. Moreover, a persistently high inflation also causes erosion of the value of the local currency in terms of foreign currencies. Such uncertainties, in turn, have adverse implications for economic activities.
Mian Anjum Nisar said low inflation helps economic agents to predict outcome of their economic decisions with fair level of certainty. Especially, producers follow their plans for business expansion with more confidence; and new investment is undertaken in the expectation of predictable returns.
FPCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar stressed the need for building on gains on the ease of doing business front, which requires not just the capacity development in key public institutions, but also a continuous dialogue with relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation, he added. He said that owing to low unit prices, exports growth remained low.
Terming inflation a serious threat to economy, he urged the government to come up with out-of-the-box solution to expedite economic activities in the country.
FPCCI president lamented that regular increase in oil, gas, power rates and rupee devaluation was posing threat to all sectors besides making life of common man miserable. He said that inflation measured through consumer price index (CPI) surged to 9.2 percent last month. Over the past three months, he said, prices of fresh vegetables, fruits and meat have increased massively while average inflation during the January witnessed 12-year high at 14.6 per cent this year-the highest inflation not only in comparison with the developed economies but also with emerging economies.
The most dominating push to inflation came from non-food-non-energy (core inflation) component that typically represents the underlying demand pressures on the economy. The core inflation, measured by excluding volatile food and energy prices, was recorded at 8.5 percent year-on-year. It has been steadily rising for a couple of months despite tightening of the monetary policy.
According to reports, the annual inflation rate rose to 9 percent in September of 2020 from 8.2 percent in the previous month. Main upward pressure came from prices of food & non-alcoholic beverages (14.7 percent vs 12.9 percent in August); health (8.3 percent vs 7.7 percent); furnishings (7.9 percent vs 7.5 percent); restaurants & hotels (8.3 percent vs 8 percent) and recreation & culture (3.9 percent vs 3.5 percent).
It is to be noted that the PBS calculates the inflation rate by measuring the prices of a basket of 480 common goods and services, such as the cost of education, house rent, utility bills and food and beverages. An increase in the inflation rate means the prices of goods and services have increased.
According to reports, higher food item prices such as tomatoes, wheat and potatoes pushed the inflation up during September this year. The rural inflation has been higher in September as compared to urban, as it was increased by 11.1% as compared to urban inflation of 7.7%.
He stated that inflation below 5.67% may be favourable for economic growth while above 6.05% can hurt growth.
He said that the most serious threat to the economy this year has been the constantly rising inflation owing to the high production cost, triggering inflation sharply. Rejecting the continuously borrowing from International Monetary Fund for financial assistance, he said it has brought wave of price-hike, as inflation is already hitting due to continuous raise in oil prices and depreciation of local currency.
He said the IMF loan has devastating effects on the economy, as with more taxes and increased rates of utilities, cost of production has further increased, rendering Pakistani exports uncompetitive in the global market.
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 17 – Agro-industrial cooperation under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been getting momentum in recent months, Gwadar Pro reported on Saturday.
This cooperation is an important area of CPEC phase II, under which China announced to set up eight new agricultural Institutes in Pakistan.
In this connection, private sector has a major role, to be facilitated by both the governments. As agreed, in this area the Chinese private sector will form joint ventures with Pakistani companies.
It was decided that a leading research center focusing on pest control will be in Karachi. The research will be done on insects and pests and how to protect seeds and plants from these pests.
According to the report, both countries agreed to work together to produce high-quality inputs, especially seeds, which are direly needed in Pakistan.
The quality of the seed is the foremost priority for healthy production. Therefore, to improve the seed quality, another research institute will be established from where quality seeds will be provided to the farmers. Moreover, the standards would be set to increase the production.
The CPEC Authority has also prioritized it and is working to make it operational as soon as possible. Agriculture is one of the seven pillars of the long-term CPEC plan. It has been agreed that both countries will work on enhancing cooperation in the agriculture sector.
The Authority’s sources said, China will assist Pakistan in developing an agro-industrial base, which is negligible at present.
The Fatima Group and China Machinery Engineering Corporation have already signed an MoU for enhancing cooperation. The cooperation will serve multiple objectives.
As Chinese firms are way ahead in terms of technology and experience, it will help to build the capability of Pakistani companies.
It will also build the way for technology transfer. The cooperation will help Pakistani companies to secure business due to the presence of Chinese companies in their markets.
Processing of agricultural produce is another weak area where China has started providing assistance to Pakistan. It will donate a date processing plant to Balochistan in accordance with the commitment to investing in areas of southern Balochistan.
Dates are an important food product in Balochistan but due to unsatisfactory processing facilities, every year the province loses a huge quantity of dates. Onion, mango and meat processing are other areas which will get assistance from China, the report added.
ISLAMABAD, OCT 17 – Mr Zahid Latif Khan, Capital Market Professional presenting crest to Mr Abrar Hashmi, Consular General of Pakistan.
Dr Saad Zaheer from Department of Homeland Security, Dr Hasan Gokal from Harris County Public Health, Dr Amer Zaheer from Baylor Medical College, Muhammad Umair Khalid, renowned Houstonian businessman and Muhammad Abdullah Khan, Director OPAL- BPO.
The luncheon meeting’s focus was ‘Roshan Digital Account’ for Overseas Pakistanis.
BAKU (DNA) -On the night of 17 October, 2020 the armed forces of Armenia attacked the Ganja city of Azerbaijan with ballistic missiles. This, third in a row atrocious attack on the second biggest city of Azerbaijan, since the new aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, situated far away from the frontline caused serious civilian casualties; 12 civilians, including 2 minors killed, more than 40 people injured.
Armenia’s deliberate and indiscriminate targeting of civilians, in a blatant violation of norms and principles of international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as declared humanitarian ceasefire, the purposeful killing of peaceful people constitute a war crime and a crime against humanity and the leadership of Armenia bears full responsibility for this crime.
Continuous aggression of Armenia, cruel attacks on the civilians must be stopped and the international community should not turn a blind eye to these inhuman acts by Armenia against the people of Azerbaijan.
We condemn in the strongest manner vicious attacks by Armenia against the Azerbaijani civilians and urge this aggressor state to stop its war crimes.
The political-military leadership of Armenia, using terror as the state policy, bear responsibility for giving an order on the rocket selling the peaceful population. The Republic of Azerbaijan declares that based on the national and international law mechanisms the perpetrators of this crime will be brought to justice.
GUJRANWALA, OCT 17 – The Pakistan Democratic Movement held its first rally as part of a countrywide anti-government campaign in Gujranwala Friday in which the core message was that double standards would not cut it: there had to be accountability for anyone accused of corruption, not just the opposition.
The rally was held at Jinnah Ground where people started arriving at 3pm. The PML-N hosted the rally and organisers signed a 28-point agreement with the Gujranwala city administration in order to get permission. PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman spoke and PML-N founder Nawaz Sharif addressed the crowd via video link from London.
According to the agreement, all roads leading into the city would be opened and containers will be removed. All people who have been arrested in relation to the rally will also be released. No raids will be conducted either.However, the PDM is not allowed to block GT Road, which was their plan in case they weren’t granted permission for the rally. The rally will be held from 3pm till midnight.
SOPs It will be mandatory for participants to observe anti-coronavirus SOPs at the rally. PDM leaders are only allowed to address the crowd in the stadium and no speeches are allowed against national security institutions or against the Constitution.
In case the agreement is not followed, a case will be registered against the rally organisers.
The organisers have constructed an 80 by 24 foot stage and set up 10,000 chairs, though they claim more people will attend. They have also hired DJ Butt, made famous for his participation at PTI rallies, for the event. One of his team members received an electric shock while setting up a screen.
A fight also broke out between workers of the JUI-F and PML-N at the venue.
The PDM, which is comprised of 11 opposition parties, has vowed to stage rallies across the country to begin a movement against the government. Rallies are also scheduled in Karachi and Quetta on October 18.
Maryam Nawaz addresses Gujranwala
“Nobody should have the right to throw your representative from Prime Minister house,” she said. “Imran Khan says General Zaheerul Islam has asked for Nawaz Sharif’s resignation because he was corrupt. Did Zaheerul Islam have any right to ask for the prime minister’s resignation?”
She opened her speech in Punjabi and referenced inflation and poverty. She talked about media silence and censorship. “The media has been chained,” she said. “This is the reason why nobody talks about your corruption. You say all institutions are on the same page with us. Imran Khan remember it doesn’t take time to turn a page.”
She went on to say: “When I hear Mian sahab’s speech, I get scared because I am his daughter, but respect or insult are in the hands of Allah.”
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addresses the rally
The PPP leader opened his speech thanking the PML-N for hosting the jalsa. He then went on to talk about Gujranwala’s Abdul Waheed Qureshi, Yaqoob Khokhar, Sher Mohammad, Zubair Shah, who are PPP workers who made sacrifices. “This is why aj bhi Bhutto zinda he!”
“Tabdeeli or change is that today in Pakistan we have historic inflation,” he said, “We have historic poverty. The Tabdeeli is that we have historic unemployment.”
He went on to give the prices of eggs, tomatoes, onions. “Young people are going around with two degrees in their hands, but they can’t find jobs,” he said. This is crisis, not tabdeeli, he said, referring to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s election campaign slogan for ‘Change’.
He talked about how the PPP had started the Benazir Income Support Program, raised pensions 150% and for the army jawans, raised their salaries 175%. “This is the awami solution to inflation,” he said. “But what is Imran’s solution? If there is inflation, there is the Tiger Force. If there are locusts, there is the Tiger Force.”
Imran Khan had promised jobs but people are unemployed. He promised homes but people are homeless. He promised he would not take loans but in two years he has taken the country’s highest loans. “He promised inqilab or revolution,” said Bilawal. We did see a revolution–in his ministers’ bank accounts. All records of corruption have been broken.
“You’ll have to make one law for all Pakistanis if you want to root out corruption,” he said, referring to how some people are let of the hook. “We need across the board accountability to end corruption. If there is an accusation, then do investigate a former president, a former prime minister. But then, if there is an accusation, do also investigate a general and a judge if this is the case. Send them to jail too. Then you can say there is justice.”
What kind of joke is this that if Faryal Talpur is accused, she gets jail. If Maryam Nawaz is accused, she gets jail. But if Imran is accused, Asim Bajwa is accused, then no one even asks them a question, he went on to say. “The PTI only uses corruption for political revenge,” he said.
You can have a hundred objections to Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto said. But you cannot deny he brought the BRT. What did Imran Khan do?
Maulana Fazlur Rehman addresses the rally
The JUI-F ruler continued in the same vein. “The fake rules are going to reach their logical end soon,” he said. “The democratic forces have started their movement from Gujranwala. From today, a sea of people will come to Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar and Lahore.”
The government will not see the coming December, if you show the courage, he said. “Today, 15 members of the Opposition made PM Khan run away from parliament,” he added, referring to what took place earlier in the day in Islamabad on the floor of the house.
“If they are selected and there are selectors,” Maulana Fazl said. The “selectors” do not want to be known, but how can they not been named when they have sacrificed democracy to bring someone to power. “Are the selectors embarrassed with the performance of who they selected or they are still proud of him?”
“The budgets you presented in the past two years were prepared by the IMF,” he said, pointing at the PTI government. “You are not the representative of Pakistan but an agent of some foreign power.”
“We have no fight with the army. The army is our institution. But If you leave your professional responsibilities and interfere in politics, impose your rule on Pakistan, violate the Constitution, impose martial law, occupy the rule, hold elections under your control, rig the elections then raising Kalma-e-Haq against you is nobody’s but our duty.”
Nawaz addresses PDM rally
Former PM Nawaz Sharif is addressing the Gujranwala jalsa via video from London. It was earlier expected that the former PM will deliver his speech last.
“I have a deep relationship with the people of Gujranwala. Some people have a desire that my voice doesn’t reach you but their conspiracies will fail,” he said.
“Gujranwala has always loved Nawaz Sharif. I am talking to you after three years. Many things have changed in the last three years. The smiling faces I left behind look gloomy today,” he said.
Nawaz asked the people in the rally if they had money for their children’s books and clothes. “Tell me, I have to know do you have money to buy their winter clothes?”
“I hear that the cost of per tola gold has crossed 110k. Will someone tell me how will a poor person’s daughter get married?” he asked, adding that the ruling PTI government used to say that they will give 10 million jobs, but about 15 million people have gone unemployed in this government.
“They said they will give five million houses. Tell me, has anyone gotten a single home? How are traders? How are they living? Are their businesses running or have they been shut down? Nawaz Sharif knows of your difficulties,” he said.
“Whose collar should we grab, Imran Khan or the ones who brought him? Who is the real culprit? Who stole your vote? How did your vote end up in someone else’s box? Why were the results of the elections stopped? Why did international organizations question the transparency of elections?” Nawaz asked.
He said a dictator was sentenced for abrogating the constitution but the court’s [verdict] was blown into pieces.
“Why are elected prime ministers never allowed to complete their five years? Have you realised how significant ‘vote ko izzat do’ is after living two years under this government?” he asked.
“They declare us traitors. This is not something new. Don’t worry, Gujranwala. The dictators have always given such medals to the politicians since Pakistan came into being” he said.
Nawaz said the mother of the nation, Fatima Jinnah, was declared a traitor, Hussain Shaheed Suharwardi was declared a traitor, Bacha Khan and Maulvi Abdul Haq were declared enemies of the country and Marri, Mengal and Bazinjo were declared traitors.
He said when this accusation was levelled against Sheikh Mujeebur Rehman in West Pakistan, it resulted in West Pakistan becoming Bangladesh.
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PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is addressing the jalsa. He said Imran Khan has failed. “The hybrid system has failed. It has failed because its foundation was weak,” he said, asking what is Nawaz Shairf’s narrative.
“Peoples vote and mandate should be respected,” he said, adding that the country will progress when it will run according to the constitution.
Former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf also spoke. he said they were told that Imran Khan will change the fate of Pakistan in 100 days. “We have gathered here because inflation and unemployment have broken are backs,” he said.
“You no longer have the right to be in the government. People will not tolerate your government anymore,” Ashraf said.
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PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reached the stadium too. He is standing on stage next to Maryam and meeting supporters of the opposition parties.
PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz has reached the Jinnah Ground in Gujranwala. She is waving from stage as thousands of supporters welcome her to the jalsa
At 8:48pm, PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair, who’s travelling with Maryam, told that their convoy is just 20 minutes away from Gujranwala. PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reached but hasn’t entered Jinnah Stadium.
“The PML-N’s narrative hasn’t changed, but it [targeting Imran Khan] is part of the strategy,” PML-N leader Zubair told.
“In a cricket match, you have to take 10 wickets, then you completely end an innings. So the wickets will fall. Imran Khan’s wicket will also fall,” he said.
Zubair says former PM Nawaz Sharif will give the last speech at the Gujranwala jalsa.
Veteran politician Makhdoom Javed Hashmi addressed the crowd in Gujranwala around 8pm. “To run Pakistan, you will have to bow down before the country’s constitution,” he said.
“What are we demanding? We are demanding respect for our votes,” he said.
One year on from Their Royal Highnesses’ visit to Pakistan, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have spoken to two organisations they visited in October 2019 to hear how they have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Their Royal Highnesses first spoke to teachers from the Islamabad Model College for Girls via video call to hear how the school’s activities have been impacted, before joining pupils in a game of Pictionary. During their visit to the government-run school last year, Their Royal Highnesses met pupils from kindergarten to sixth form, and heard more about how they are benefitting from the Teach for Pakistan programme which is modelled on the UK’s successful ‘Teach First’ scheme.
During the call, teaching staff spoke to The Duke and Duchess about how they adapted their operations whilst the school was closed between March and September by providing learning packs to pupils and WhatsApp schooling. The Duke and Duchess then spoke to staff and children from SOS Children’s Village in Lahore, many of whom they met during their two visits to the village last October. Their Royal Highnesses heard how the village has helped to teach the children how to combat the spread of COVID-19 through special sessions led by doctors and medical staff, and the work that has been carried out to support the mental health of their staff and children throughout the pandemic. Some of the village’s children also showed The Duke and Duchess the artwork that they had created about their memories of the visit last year, including drawings and friendship bracelets. Established in 1977, SOS Children’s Village provides a home and family structure to over 150 young girls and boys, and promotes the development of children into happy, confident and resilient adults. The Duke and Duchess visited the village twice during their tour where they took part in a number of activities, including cricket and arts and crafts, and joined a birthday party for one of the children supported by the village.
GUJRANWALA – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal on Friday while terming the rule of Prime Minister Imran Khan as anti-people said that they [opposition] would liberate Pakistan.
Addressing a rally organized by Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of major opposition parties, in Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala on Friday, he said that they [government] is giving them certificates of treason.
The PML-N leader reminded the people of long unannounced power outages across the country but former prime minister and party supremo Nawaz Sharif was the only person who promised to get the country of the darkness. “The former prime minister fulfilled his promise and added 11,000 megawatt of electricity to the national grid in four hours,” he added.
Taking a jibe at PM Imran Khan, Ahsan Iqbal went on to say that he is not a prime minister who is selected, a premier is he who rules the people s hearts.”
He further said the people of the country should become part of the anti-government movement to end “unprecedented inflation and bad governance”.
Earlier, the PML-N secretary general, described how at midnight on the eve of the protest, “police jumped over the walls of our workers’ home in Gujranwala and Punjab. They have arrested hundreds of our workers and booked hundreds of fake cases.”
“Over three decades of political experience, I have seen martial law imposed but I have never witnessed this kind of brutality,” said Iqbal. “The raids against our workers are still ongoing. They have put containers in our way, arrested workers and torn banners, but we won’t stop. It’s the beginning of the end for Khan.”
An anti-government demonstration organised by a new alliance of opposition political parties drew crowds of thousands in a move claimed as the “beginning of the end” for prime minister Imran Khan.
The PDM alliance, which was formed last month, is the first time in Pakistan’s history that all opposition political parties have come together to challenge the government. The three mainstream opposition parties – PML-N, Pakistan People’s party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) – are at the forefront of the movement.
The Pakistan Democratic Movement is holding its first rally as part of its countrywide anti-government campaign in Gujranwala today (Friday).
The rally is being held at Jinnah Ground where people started arriving at 3pm. The PML-N is hosting the rally and organisers signed a 28-point agreement with the Gujranwala city administration in order to get permission. PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman are going to attend and address the crowd. PML-N founder Nawaz Sharif is also expected to address the crowd via video link from London.
According to the agreement, all roads leading into the city will be opened and containers will be removed. All people who have been arrested in relation to the rally will also be released. No raids will be conducted either.
However, the PDM is not allowed to block GT Road, which was their plan in case they weren’t granted permission for the rally. The rally will be held from 3pm till midnight.
SOPs It will be mandatory for participants to observe anti-coronavirus SOPs at the rally. PDM leaders are only allowed to address the crowd in the stadium and no speeches are allowed against national security institutions or against the Constitution.
In case the agreement is not followed, a case will be registered against the rally organisers.
The PDM, which is comprised of 11 opposition parties, has vowed to stage rallies across the country to begin a movement against the government. Rallies are also scheduled in Karachi and Quetta on October 18.
PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reached the stadium too. He is standing on stage next to Maryam and meeting supporters of the opposition parties.
PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz has reached the Jinnah Ground in Gujranwala. She is waving from stage as thousands of supporters welcome her to the jalsa
At 8:48pm, PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair, who’s travelling with Maryam, told SAMAA TV that their convoy is just 20 minutes away from Gujranwala. PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reached but hasn’t entered Jinnah Stadium.
“The PML-N’s narrative hasn’t changed, but it [targeting Imran Khan] is part of the strategy,” PML-N leader Zubair told SAMAA TV.
“In a cricket match, you have to take 10 wickets, then you completely end an innings. So the wickets will fall. Imran Khan’s wicket will also fall,” he said.
Zubair says former PM Nawaz Sharif will give the last speech at the Gujranwala jalsa.
Veteran politician Makhdoom Javed Hashmi addressed the crowd in Gujranwala around 8pm. “To run Pakistan, you will have to bow down before the country’s constitution,” he said.
“What are we demanding? We are demanding respect for our votes,” he said.
As of 8:45pm, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz had reached Kamonke.
As of 6:30pm, PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz was still in Lahore even three hours after leaving her residence. According to a SAMAA TV reporter, she won’t be able to make it to the venue by 8pm.
PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reached Wazirabad, while JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman is also still in Lahore.
By 6:40pm at Wazirabad, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stopped to address the rally: “The third generation of the PPP has come out on to the streets to fight this selected and hybrid system. We will restore democracy.” He said their fight was against historical poverty, historical inflation and historical unemployment. “We will complete the incomplete mission of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.”
Muhammad Zubair, who is traveling with Maryam Nawaz, told SAMAA TV at about 7:30pm that they left Lahore five hours ago but are still in Lahore. “Don’t worry the people inside Jinnah Stadium are passionate and they will wait for us,” he said.
Maryam Nawaz will not be addressing the PML-N supporters on her way to Gujranwala because of time constraints, he added.
There are no two narratives within the PML-N. The people who leave Nawaz Sharif’s narrative will be left behind. “For the time being, our target is Imran Khan,” said Zubair.
Traffic plan for Lahore
A traffic plan has been issued for Lahore ahead of the rally.
Sharif Medical City Road to Ada Plot will be closed for traffic, as will GT Road, Timber Market and Ravi Road to the Amamia Colony phatak.
Instead of taking GT Road to Gujranwala and Narowal, people are requested to use the Old Ravi Bridge and Lahore to Sheikhpura traffic is requested to take Sagain Bridge.
Ring Road Adda Plot to Niazai Chowk may be closed, depending on the traffic situation.
Over 600 traffic wardens have been deployed for traffic management.
Security arrangements
Over 3,000 police officers have been posted at Jinnah Stadium for security. The security plan has been divided into three sections. The PDM has also hired 500 private security officers.
Police officers have been posted at all the seven of the stadium’s entry and exit points.
To control the flow of traffic in Gujranwala, 231 traffic wardens and 241 traffic police officers have been posted.
All roads leading to the entry and exit points of Jinnah Ground have been blocked. Residents attending the rally will have to walk to the venue.
Containers have been placed on the roads leading to the Sialkoti Phatak, Gondla Wala Phatak, DC Office and City flyover. Residents complained that they have been getting stuck for hours in traffic because of the containers.
On the other hand, opposition leaders complained that they have been deliberately placed as a hurdle.
