Senator Faisal Javed Khan, announced on Twitter that the ruling party would hold one of the biggest rallies on the 27th of March at Azadi Chowk Islamabad. He added that the Prime Minister would make a historical address during this rally. In preparation for this rally, Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed his party members to gather one million PTI activists and supporters.
The Prime Minister is holding this rally in response to oppositions vote of no-confidence and their public demonstrations against the government. The no-confidence vote gained its momentum when the Pakistan Peoples Party rallied from Karachi to Islamabad to rally against governments mismanagement and poor governance. Soon after Bilawal Bhutto concluded his long march, the combined opposition presented a notice of no-confidence against the government.
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Since the announcement of the vote of no-confidence, Prime Minister Khan has held multiple rallies across the country. At first, he set out to Lower Dir where he addressed a huge gathering and accused members of the opposition of money laundering and looting. Subsequently he turned towards Punjab and orchestrated a power show in Hafizabad.
The Prime Minister also held a meeting on Saturday with his counselors to discuss a strategy to counter the vote of no confidence. Ali Nawaz Khan, after the meeting, tweeted that the Prime Minister had tasked him to gather support for a “grand power show” on the 27th. The date of the rally was also confirmed by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar.
The opposition has also announced to stage a power show in Islamabad. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Syed Khursheed Shah said that the opposition has decided to hold a rally on the same day as the government. Secretary-General of Pakistan Democratic Party (PDM) and former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, in a TV interview last night on the 13th of March, confirmed the annoucement. When questioned whether the protests would create a law and order situation in the country’s capital, he replied, “it is the government’s responsibility to maintain law and order”.
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JUI Chief Maulana Fazl Ur Rehman advised the Prime Minister to focus on gathering the support of 172 MNAs in the National Assembly instead of gathering one million people in Islamabad ahead of the no-trust vote.
Netizens have also taken to Twitter to voice their support for and against the government. Twitter hashtag #DChowkWillChokeNiazi in support of the opposition is trending in the social space. One specific user asserted that “Parliament is the representative of the people, and the people will protect it. If Imran tries to attack it again with his goons, party workers of all democratic parties will also be in Islamabad”.
The vote of no-confidence was presented against the mismanagement and poor governance of the incumbent government. Reports have emerged that the first session of the lower house would convene on the 22nd of March, following which a weeks period would be given to the members to cast their vote.
The motion needs 172 to be successful. Currently, the numbers game stands vague as PMLQ, MQM, and BAP have still not official taken a stance.