The 11-party anti-government Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) conducted its third power show in the provincial capital Quetta, despite the Balochistan governments appeal to postpone the rally in the face of security risks. PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, JUI-F Chief Fazlur Rehman, BNP-Mengal Chairman Akhtar Mengal and several other prominent politicians were in attendance. PPP President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif addressed the rally via video link from Gilgit Baltistan and London respectively.
The power show was held at the Ayub Stadium in Quetta on Sunday and was attended by thousands of supporters, including some of the families of the Baloch missing persons.
‘Even my mother’s death and my father’s arrest did not bring so many tears in my eyes’
PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz in her speech to the gathering said that the time has come for the fate of Pakistan and Balochistan to change. Addressing the rally, she said that the reason that the people of Balochistan are deprived of food and shelter is that their vote is not respected. “Those who rule you are not answerable to you but someone else, someone else pulls their strings”, she said.
Maryam Nawaz also raised the issue of the Baloch missing persons, demanding the government for their safe recovery. While addressing the attendees, she said that the Hasiba Qambrani’s account her brother’s arrest has brought so many tears in my eyes that even my mother’s death and my father’s arrest could not bring.
She also blasted the incumbent Balochistan government, saying that a party – Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) – was created overnight handed over the leadership of Balochistan a day later.
The PML-N vice-president also demanded the CPEC Authority Chairman retired General Qasim Bajwa to step down, citing the allegations of malfeasance against him and accusing him of interfering with politics in Balochistan during his tenure here.
‘Our children have been murdered, our houses are empty’
BNP-Mengal Chairman said in his speech that Gwadar is a part of Balochistan; the centre has no right to “occupy” it. He also raised the issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, saying that the families of the Baloch missing persons have been waiting for 10 years for the return of their loved ones. Who is behind these disappearances? Who is conducting the fifth large-scale military oppression in Balochistan? he asked.
Mengal said that when the agreements were signed between the newborn Pakistan and Balochistan, where was it written that only the blood of the Baloch and Pashtun will be shed? We were told that we will be equal citizens here, “are you equal citizens here” he asked the cheering crowd. “Our children have been murdered, our houses are empty. Was this why this country was made?” he questioned.
Mengal said that he has agreed to join forces with Pakistan Democratic Movement alliance on the assurance whichever party comes to power, it will give democratic and constitutional rights to Balochistan.
‘I’m aware of the Baloch people’s problems’
PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif addressed the gathering via a video link from London. He said: “I’m aware of the Baloch people’s problems. The missing person issue is still there. I feel pain when I see the victims.”
Like his previous speeches in the former two power shows in Gujranwala and Karachi, Sharif vehemently criticized the incumbent government performance. He also regretted the arrest of his son-in-law retired Captain Safdar and the violation of the privacy of his daughter. “Such incidents prove that there is a state above the state”, he said.
He said that PDM has risen against “unconstitutional power” that has hollowed Pakistan from the inside. He openly called upon the Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa and the Chief of Inter-Services Intelligence Lt Gen Faiz Hameed to account for Pakistan’s current situation. He criticized Bajwa for rigging the 2018 elections and for “tearing apart the constitution and the laws, for pushing people towards poverty and hunger.”
He accused the ISI chief of interfering in politics for “several years without impunity.”
‘The people want freedom and a democratic government’
PPP Chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed the crowd from Gilgit Baltistan via a video link. “No matter which province, the people want freedom and a democratic government.” He said. They want “to be able to think for themselves and breath.”
He also raised the issue of the Baloch missing persons and said that Pakistan cannot be called a modern democracy until this issue is resolved.
He said that Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan are the linchpins of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, but the multi-billion dollar project has not benefited the people of both areas. He said that the incumbent prime minister has not given anything to Balochistan, “but instead was trying to snatch from the province.”
‘It is our right to complain and protest’
The JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman was the last to address the gathering. He said that he is not against the “institutions”, but when they “impose martial law on Pakistan or when they back a fake government, it is our right to complain and protest.”
Rehman said that they are ready to hold the establishment in high esteem, only if they acknowledge that ‘we did wrong during the elections and ruined Pakistan’s mandate.’
Rehman also pointed towards the military’s astoundingly high budget, saying that a country’s survival in modern times depends on its economy, not on its defense, though it is integral as well.
‘Our rights are being violated by the state above the state’
Mohsin Dawar, member of the national assembly and a leader of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement, was also meant to address the PDM gathering at Quetta but was barred from leaving the airport. He was detained by the officials and deported to Karachi, barring him from entering Balochistan.
Scores of PTM activists staged an hours-long sit-in in Quetta after Dawar’s ‘arrest.’ “Once again our rights are being violated by the state above the state”, he tweeted. “Why are these risks limited to me only? I refused to be silenced like this.”
Maryam Nawaz, Fazlur Rehman and other PTM leaders also arrived in Quetta on Saturday and were provided with bullet-proof vehicles and security, Liaquat Shahwani, the spokesperson for the Balochistan government said.
Shahwani said that Dawar was barred from leaving the airport because a ban was imposed on his entry “into any district of Balochistan for 90 days” on July 29. Shahwani emphasized that the decision to deny entry to Dawar in Balochistan has “nothing to do with the PDM rally.”
Dawar was also prohibited from entering Balochistan three months ago when he and a fellow PTM leader landed in the capital to visit the Voice for Baloch Missing Person’s camp.