LAHORE- The countrywide anti-government campaigns and PML-N’s drive to counter them were practically put into action by PTI, PAT and PML-N on Monday, which could lead to a serious confrontation between the opposition and the government anytime.
Following the directions of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, PTI activists launched Azadi sit-ins in major cities of the country to convert them into a countrywide protest.
The PML-N has also launched counter-campaigns under the banner of Pakistan Solidarity rallies. PAT had already extended its Inqilab sit-ins to other parts of the country.
PTI activists have been staging Azadi sit-ins at Lalik Jan Road in Lahore for the last six dayd, besides opening two new venues of the protest – Liberty Chowk and Model Town C-Block. The PTI activists held the first Azadi sit-in at the new venues on Monday.
The supporters of Imran Khan have also been holding the Azadi sit-ins in Karachi for the last four days in the constituency of Dr Arif Alvi MNA.
PAT’s Inqilab, supported by PML-Q, Sunni Ittehad Council and Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslemeen (MWM) had already broadened its campaign.
MWM which is believed to be a powerful force has been holding successful sit-ins, especially in Sindh and parts of Punjab, along with other members of the Inqilab March. PTI held the first sit-in some days back with the massive support of MWM, blocking the National Highway to Karachi.
The followers of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri also staged Inqilab sit-ins in Khushab, Bhakkar, Sargodha, Chakwal, Gujrat and Sialkot.
PML-N took out the first rally against PTI and PAT in Faisalabad under the command of former provincial law minister Rana Sanaullah. A similar show was led by Hamza Shahbaz Sharif in the provincial capital on Monday.
PML-N is planning to extend their drive to counter PAT and PTI sit-ins to the cities throughout the country. JUI-F, an ally of the government, Ahle Sunnat-Wal-Jamaat also took out rallies in the provincial capital, Jhang and other cities, supporting the rulers and warning the Azadi and Inqilab supporters to end their shows.
Veteran political figures are foreseeing a possible confrontation on sectarian lines if the leaders of Inqilab, Azadi and Istehqam-e-Pakistan Rallies fail to reach a workable formula concerning the ongoing political turmoil.
They are of the opinion that politicians should not blame others if the third force intervenes to control a possible serious confrontation in case of their failure to end the existing crisis.
They added that powerful quarters of the state might not remain silent spectators for long while politicians should resolve their issues at the earliest before it goes out of their hands completely.