PDM’s Quetta, Peshawar Gatherings Have to Face Two Threats

WEB DESK: The threat of terrorist activities in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) gatherings to be held in Quetta and Peshawar would pose another challenge for it besides dealing with the government’s moves and sustaining in the political spectrum.

PDM is all set to hold another anti-government protest in the capital of Balochistan, Quetta, on October 25.
However, the opposition coalition has been warned of possible terrorist activities in the mass gathering.

The largest province of Pakistan had remained clobbered by terrorism over the years. Although, the Pakistan Army got rid of the terrorists to a large extent but the recent missiles’ attack on the Levies Force near Ormara alarmed the bells again.

The security and sensitive agencies have also issued a security threat in connection with the PDM meetings in Balochistan which might be a hint at terrorists gearing up again.

The situation can be utilized by India as the neighboring country had been found involved in creating chaos in the province and there could be no better time for it in an atmosphere when the opposition and government have locked horns at each other.

National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) recently issued a security threat of a possible terrorist attack in the PDM meeting planned in Quetta.

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Interestingly, the banned outfit Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has ruled out attacking any of the mass gatherings of the opposition coalition. If any mishap occurs, India could be said to be the one that fueled it.
Balochistan Interior Minister Ziaullah Lango warned the opposition parties that they should refrain from creating a gap between the armed forces and people.

He warned that the law would come into action if the opposition leaders spoke against the national institutions.
The minister said that they were finalizing a security plan under which walkthrough gates would be installed at all entry points where the mass gathering would be organized.

Another blow for the opposition coalition will be the physical absence of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as he is busy in the election campaign for Gilgit Baltistan (GB) elections. The party leader will address PDM gatherings via video link. Bilawal’s absence could result in a reduced number of participants who would come to the demonstration.

Besides security risk, the risk of contagion spread is still on the edge as coronavirus has started to resurrect across the country. Some 739 positive cases were reported on October 21 and the tally is expected to increase in the upcoming days. PDM had assured of implementation on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) devised for the coronavirus but they were largely flouted in the PDM meetings.