LAHORE INQLAB JALSA bring back the memories of the March 23rd, 1940

PAT President Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi has said that Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s revolution Jalsa in Lahore on October 19 will refresh memory of March 23, 1940. He said that seventy thousand chairs are being placed in the whole venue, which will be turned into place of public meeting. He said that 100 administrative committees have been established to make arrangements for public meeting and 2000 volunteers are also taking part in the arrangements.

Dr Raheeq Abbasi expressed these views while addressing a crowded press conference held to apprise the media about arrangements of upcoming public meeting at Minar-e-Pakistan on October 19 in Lahore. Other PAT leaders Sheikh Zahid Fayyaz, Sajid Mahmood Bhatti, Jawad Hamid, Huma Waheed, Abdul Hafeez Ch., and Ain-ul-Haq were also present on the occasion.

Dr Abbasi said that as long as Shahbaz Sharif continues to be the Chief Minister of the province, neither will fair investigation into Model Town tragedy be possible nor will justice be dispensed. He said that the government’s negotiation team always promised during course of discussions that they will establish joint investigation team consisting of officers from provinces other than Punjab but backtracked on their commitment later on. He said that this put a seal of approval on our point of view that fair play and justice will not be delivered during incumbency of present government.

PAT President said that sit-ins played a key role in creating awareness among the masses about their constitutional and political rights. He said that the members of assemblies who would wait to shake hands with their party leaders were now getting development funds. He said that people of Faisalabad Division gave a red-carpet welcome to PAT chief Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri wherever he went, though these visits had not been planned.

Dr Abbasi said that PAT would not compromise on the blood of martyrs and those responsible for shedding blood of innocent people would have to face law one day. Rejecting allegation of attack on PTV building, he said that the incident was in fact stage-managed by Pervez Rasheed, Marvi Memon and MD PTV who used daily wagers to enact this drama. He said that present rulers are involved in corruption from head to toe, adding that Nandipur power project is a latest manifestation of their corruption.

He revealed that LPG mafia working under the government’s patronage fleeced people by illegally charging them for Rs. 10 billion but the government did nothing to stop this oppression. He said that per kg LPG was sold for Rs. 180 instead of Rs. 100 and now the façade of taking notice was being staged after the matter became public. He said that in the same way, the masses had been robbed through over-billing and despite the Prime Minister’s promise, the money had not been returned to them through concessions in electricity bills nor has committee established to investigate the matter submitted its report. He said that democratic governments protect interests of the people and do not loot them.

PAT President made it clear that sit-in will continue in Islamabad and quashed all rumours that sought to create an impression as if it was being shifted. He said that PAT enjoys excellent understanding with PTI. He said that district administration of Lahore has, so far, been, cooperating with PAT for Lahore Jalsa as doing so is in the interest of the administration. He hoped that street lights will be kept on in the venue and security gates will also be provided because the responsibility for protection of peaceful assembly of people and their lives lies with the government of the day.

He said that the government has been issuing ordinances, asking that is the job of Parliament limited to dubbing protesters as ‘terrorists and intruders’? He said that arrangements for Lahore Jalsa have been completed and separate place has been earmarked for women. He said that people belonging to all walks of life have been invited to attend the public meeting.