The national daily the Hindustan Times reported that PML-N vice-president challenged Khan to ban the opposition PML-N Party, saying, “Don’t even think about it. This is the biggest party of Pakistan.”
In the speech Maryam pointed out to India’s reference, Maryam said, “You say the opposition is speaking (Indian Prime Minister Nardendra) Modi’s language, when it was you who prayed for Modi’s re-election, were dying to talk to him, gave him Kashmir on a plate… and we are the ones speaking his language?”
Maryam also criticised the Pakistan’s military establishment but took a softer stance, saying the PDM was not against the army but only some of its generals. While raising questions at the Prime Minister , she said, “When you are pressed for answers, you hide behind the armed forces. You coward! You bring the army into disrepute. You use them (the army) to hide your own failures. Who gave you this right?”
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also delivered a speech at the march, criticising PM Khan for promulgating an ordinance to take over two islands located near Karachi. He accused Khan of betraying the citizens of Karachi by offering an unconvincing package and taking over the two islands in order to build housing colonies.
The protests come amid the economy taking a huge hit due to Covid-19 pandemic while the country is struggling with double digit inflation and negative growth, which Khan’s opponents blame on his government.
Nine major opposition parties formed a joint platform called the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) last month to begin a nationwide agitation against the government.