Rally supports ousted Pakistani PM
Auckland’s Pakistani community held a protest at Aotea Square in solidarity with the ousted Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan.
Pakistan’s political opposition removed Khan in a noconfidence vote after several of his allies and a key coalition party deserted him.
The combined opposition, which spans the political spectrum from the left to the radically religious, will form the new government. The head of one of the largest parties – the Pakistani Muslim League – will take over as prime minister.
Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice) in New Zealand organised the Auckland protest.
Khalyd Baloch, the current head of the chapter, said that it was unfortunate and disappointing to observe the political change in Pakistan – particularly because first-time Prime Minister Khan and his party had worked hard to stabilise the Covid-hit economy and taken measures to put the country in the direction of prosperity through industrial, agricultural, economical and social reforms.
Tauqir Khan, QSM, a senior community leader, said he was pleased with the turnout at the Auckland protest during the fasting month of Ramadan. He hoped that corrective actions were taken in time with a call for the general elections in Pakistan to settle the issue, which had caused widespread anxiety in Pakistan.
Those at the protest were mainly from Auckland but some had travelled from Waikato and other regions of New Zealand. Attendees raised chants and slogans for new elections in Pakistan.
The peaceful protest in Auckland ended but the protester leaders said that they were keen to continue their support for their national hero and political leader Imran Khan and his political party, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf.