Opposition alliance launches protest movement

A six-party opposition alliance has launched a protest drive against the government today (Saturday) with a power show in Pishin, Balochistan.  

Top opposition leaders including Omar Ayub, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Hamid Raza, Dr Ataur Rehman and others — led the gathering.

The gathering was held at the Taj Lala Football Stadium in Pishin after the alliance comprising PTI, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP), Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) decided to begin a nationwide movement against the government.

PTI’s Ayub said that the government of Balochistan had placed check-posts on the way to Pishin. During his address he also spoke about the release of former Prime Minister and party former Irman Khan and others.

Meanwhile in his address, BNP’s Mengal rejected the ‘Form 47 government’.  He said that he doesn’t consider the government formed at the Centre as the government of Pakistan.

“This government is Form 47 government. This is the government of the Election Commission,” he said, adding that the country’s mandate was stolen during the February 8 general elections.

The veteran politician said that “Section 144 is imposed whenever we protest for our rights”.

“[We] do not recognise the government of Section 144 and Form 47 of the Election Commission.”

Their movement, he added, will continue until the supremacy of the Constitution and the acquisition of rights.

SIC chief Hamid Raza, in his address to the rally, said: “Pakistan belongs to all of us, but people are tortured.”

He maintained that no one can stand before the power of the people.

“On February 8, it was proven that people voted for PTI. The party is still talking about people’s rights and civil supremacy.”