Former Prime Minister and PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain urged both the government and the Opposition to cancel their rallies. The PML-Q leader fears that such political hostility may lead to chaos. However, Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry clarified that PTI does not want any confrontations.
In a bid to counter the Opposition’s no-trust move, the PTI government announced a “historic” public rally at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on 27th March. Terming it as the “1m-strong power show” at D-Chowk, PTI leadership directed the party’s local chapters to begin preparations.
However, as PTI geared up for its power show, the Opposition announced that it will also hold a rally at D-Chowk. PPP leader Syed Khursheed Shah said that the opposition has decided to hold a rally on the same day as the government. PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan also confirmed the announcement.
Read more: Government and opposition to hold rally on same day
Furthermore, PDM announced to hold announced joint opposition’s long march towards Islamabad on March 23. As a result, there are concerns about chaos and violence in Islamabad since the two opposite political camps are planning a power show at the same venue.
Regarding this, PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat appealed to the government and the Opposition to call off their rallies. In a statement, he said that Pakistan cannot afford such violence in current circumstances.
“Opposition parties used to base their politics on public rallies, but it is a surprise that the government has also competing it with its own public meeting, which a government should not do,” the PML-Q leader said.
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain appeals the government and opposition to cancel their public rallies at Islamabad's D-Chowk to avoid a large-scale confrontation and clash.
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) March 15, 2022
Fawad Chaudhry’s response
Moreover, Chaudhry Shujaat said that his party always followed the politics of national interest.
“Those who are calling us a small party forgot big decisions we made in the interest of the country and democracy,” he said.“We have always preferred the path of sanity and dialogue despite opposition of others,” he added.
Soon after Chaudhry Shujaat’s statement made the headlines, Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry responded on Twitter. Fawad Chaudhry said Chaudhry Shujaat is an insightful personality respected by PM Khan. However, PTI does not do politics of extremism.
Read more: Opposition pins hope for no-trust move on PTI members?
He also clarified that the purpose of the public rally is to not incite confrontations. Furthermore, he said the government will facilitate the Opposition if they want to hold a peaceful rally.
“PTI is a democratic party. We do not do politics of extremism nor do we believe in confrontation,” the Minister tweeted.
“If the opposition wants to hold a peaceful rally, we welcome this rally and will provide all kinds of facilities. In a democracy, public opinion is the real decision and rallies are an important means of expressing that opinion,” he further added.
“اگر” اپوزیشن پر امن جلسہ کرنا چاہتی ہے تو اس جلسے کو بھی خوش آمدید کرتے ہیں اور ہر طرح کی سہولت دیں گے، جمہوریت میں عوام کی رائے اصل فیصلہ ہے اور جلسے اس رائے کے اظہار کا ایک اہم ذریعہ ہیں،
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 15, 2022