In a move clearly aimed at exhibiting political strength, five political parties—PPP, MQM-P, PML-N, PSP, and PTI—held rallies in the metropolis on Sunday.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) held rallies on different issues, while Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP)’s sit-in at the Karachi Press Club was called off as it entered into its 18th day. The rallies were underway till evening amid traffic mess on various main roads.
PPP PROTESTS LOAD SHEDDING:
PPP carried out protest rallies and sit-ins against the federal government, holding it responsible for load shedding in Sindh and scarcity of water.
PPP leaders, MNAs and MPAs led the protests in Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Thatta and other cities.
PPP workers also staged a sit-in on the National Highway, blocking Thatta-bound vehicular traffic from Karachi.
In Karachi, PPP staged a “No Nawaz No” rally from Lyari and Hassan Square to Regal Chowk of Saddar.
MQM-PAKISTAN:
MQM-Pakistan group led by Farooq Sattar took out a political rally from Liaquatabad to MA Jinnah Road, demanding resolution of Karachi’s civic problems, urging the PPP-led provincial government to issue funds for the city’s uplift projects.
At Mazar-e-Quaid, Farooq Sattar also addressed participants. He said that the time for demands has passed and now it’s time for a decision.
“Time for the PPP’s accountability has started,” said Sattar.
‘THANKSGIVING DAY’ RALLY BY PML-N:
Supporters of PML-N observed ‘Thanksgiving Day’ by taking out a rally at Hassan Square and Shahrah-e-Faisal to Press Club to celebrate the Panama case verdict.
The ruling party is happy over the Supreme Court’s verdict in Panama Papers case in which the apex court gave a reprieve to the PM, ruling that there was not yet sufficient evidence to oust him from power. However, the court has ordered Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate his alleged corruption and his family’s offshore assets.
PTI WANTS PM NAWAZ TO QUIT:
On the other hand, PTI was holding an anti-government rally in Hijrat Colony area.
Soon after the court ruling, Imran Khan, PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq and former Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign for the duration of an investigation into how the Sharif Family’s money was transferred to Qatar.
PSP ‘MILLION MARCH’:
PSP continued its protest outside Karachi Press Club for the 18th consecutive day today (Sunday), calling upon Karachi mayor and PPP government to resolve civic issues of Karachi.
PSP chief Syed Mustafa Kamal announced to hold a ‘million march’ in Karachi on May 14, claiming that one million supporters will join him.
“Our march will be towards palaces of the rulers,” said Mustafa Kamal, the former mayor of Karachi, while addressing his supporters.
“We have to prepare for the next phase starting from tomorrow,” he remarked, adding “Tomorrow [Monday] onwards, we will go to the houses of all the people to campaign for the million march.”
It is interesting to note that despite three rallies in different areas of the metropolis, no alternative traffic plan had been issued by the city administration.
