Imran Khan rules out permission for PDM rallies in Pakistan

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has categorically announced that his government would not permit Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to hold its public rally in Multan and other cities. Mr. Imran has cited coronavirus as the reason to deny permission to the opposition rallies and meetings.
The PDM has so far held four public meetings against the government in Gujranwala, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar while two are scheduled for Nov.30 and Dec.13 in Multan and Lahore, respectively. Severe confrontation has built up between the Punjab government and multiparty opposition alliance, over holding a protest public meeting in Multan by the latter on Monday with the former resolved to block it with force. Police said more than 200 workers of PDM constituent parties have been arrested and raids are being conducted to arrest more.

Meanwhile the opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) Multan rally will be politically significant due to the presence of the daughters of two former Prime Ministers. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) founder Nawaz Sharif's daughter and party vice president Maryam Nawaz Sharif and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's youngest child, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari will be participating in the Multan jalsa on November 30, reported Geo News.This rally is being interpreted by the PDM leadership as the strengthening of the alliance between Pakistan's opposition parties. The event is also being attended by two former Prime Ministers - Yousaf Raza Gilani and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.