Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Newly-appointed Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Friday announced to give permission to the opposition alliance-Pakistan Democratic Party (PDM) to hold a public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on December 13.
“There is no restriction from the government on PDM to hold a public gathering in Lahore,” said Shiekh Rasheed.
Speaking to media after getting the new responsibility, the interior minister said that efforts were afoot to create anarchy in the country and foreign funding is being funneled in the country for it.
“The country is facing threat from inside,” he said.
Sheikh Rasheed blamed the opposition leaders for looting the national wealth and said that their public gatherings would not hurt Prime Minister Imran Khan and he is not going anywhere.
“Not only that he would complete his incumbent tenure but will be elected for the next term also,” the minister said.He said that practices to loot national wealth and money laundering would be addressed on a priority basis during his tenure. “Since now I am the interior minister, NAB and FIA will perform their responsibilities to a full extent,” he said.
Sheikh Rasheed further said that the government was taking all-out measures to bring back Nawaz Sharif.
He extended his support for the newly appointed Railways Minister Azam Swati and said that he would run the affairs in his place in a far better way.
Earlier, Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat on Friday has said that the provincial government has not granted permission to Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) for holding a rally in Lahore and action will be taken over violations.
Raja Basharat further said that those act as facilitators of the PDM rally will also face action by the provincial authorities.
The statement came forth after the conclusion of a session of the provincial intelligence committee. It has been approved that cases will be registered against PDM leaders for holding a political gathering.
During the session, the officials of Punjab’s home department briefed that permission could not be given for a public gathering due to the spread of novel coronavirus. The relevant authorities will make arrests besides filing cases against those violating the orders.
The home department of Punjab sent the minutes of the meeting to the Prime Minister Office (PMO) regarding the decisions taken in the session today.
It is to be noted that the Local administration of Lahore had refused a request from Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to hold a public gathering at the Minar-e-Pakistan owing to spike in COVID-19 cases.On the other hand, the PML-N had geared-up its preparations to face the power of the state and formed a special baton-wielding force.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had formed a special baton-wielding force for the protection of the participants in the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) rally in Lahore that is scheduled to take place on December 13.
