PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Zindabad Movement (PZM) formally launched its activities by holding a public meeting here on Tuesday and announced to take out rallies in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in support of security forces.

The public meeting was addressed by PZM convener MPA Javed Naseem, MNA Aysha Gulalai, PTI disgruntled MPA Ubaid Mayar, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Zahid Shinwari, QWP Charsadda district vice chairman Naeem Jan and PZM youth wing chief Sayar Sayalvi.

Some tribal elders belonging to Waziristan Agency also spoke on the occasion and appreciated security forces for restoration of peace in the country. Javed Naseem and Ayesha Gulalai won the elections on tickets of PTI but they were expelled from the party for different reasons.

Speakers at public meeting announce to hold rallies across KP in favour of army

The rally was apparently against the Pakhtun Tahfuz Movement but the speakers avoided naming it and said that some people were holding meetings and rallies in the name of Pakhtuns and criticising Pakistan Army on the behest of anti-Pakistan forces but nation would not allow them to do so.

“We are not against any political party or group of people but we have launched Pakistan Zindabad Movement in support of Pakistan Army, which has rendered matchless sacrifices for protection of the country and restoration of peace,” Mr Naseem told Dawn.

He said that the public meeting was meant to express solidarity with Pakistan Army and for the protection of the country. He said that all the political parties and civil society organisations could participate in activities of the movement.

Mr Naseem said that the people, who were trying to disturb the peaceful environment and destabilise the country, would not be allowed to do so at any cost. “We have announced another public meeting on April 7 in Hayatabad that will be followed by public meetings and rallies in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to support to law enforcement agencies,” he said.

The lawmaker said that the country was facing internal and external threats mainly owing to the conspiracies hatched by people on behest of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan leaders but PZM would create awareness among people to support Pakistan Army.

Ayesha Gulalai, chief of her own faction of PTI, also appreciated security forces for restoration of peace in Swat and tribal areas. She alleged that Pakhtun Tahaffuz Movement was working on the directives of anti-Pakistan forces to destabilise the country.

She said that the people speaking Pakhto, Balochi, Sindhi and Punjabi had no significance unless they joined hands as Pakistani nation. She said that the conspiracies hatched by India or Afghanistan would be foiled by the nation. She added that it was duty of all the patriotic citizens to raise voice in support of security forces.

Other speakers also appreciated security forces for restoration of peace in the country. Banners and placards inscribed with slogans in support of security forces were displayed on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2018