BARCELONA: Led by Catalonia’s separatist president Carles Puigdemont, hundreds of thousands of independence supporters protested in Barcelona on Saturday, shouting “freedom” and “independence” after Madrid announced drastic measures to stop the region from breaking away.

“It’s time to declare independence,” said Jordi Balta, a 28-year-old stationery shop employee, adding there was no longer any room for dialogue.

The protest in the centre of the Catalan capital had initially been called to push for the release of the leaders of two hugely influential grassroots independence organisations, accused of sedition and jailed pending further investigation.

Catalonia to press ahead with independence if Madrid suspends autonomy

But it took on an even angrier tone after Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced his government would move to dismiss the region’s separatist government, take control of its ministries and call fresh elections in Catalonia.

Municipal police said 450,000 people rallied on Barcelona’s large Paseo de Gracia boulevard, spilling over on to nearby streets, many holding Catalonia’s yellow, red and blue Estelada separatist flag.

Protesters greeted Puigdemont’s arrival at the rally with shouts of “President, President.” The rest of his executive was also there.

Spain vows ‘all options’ open in Catalonia crisis talks

“The Catalans are completely disconnected from Spanish institutions, and particularly anything to do with the Spanish state,” said Ramon Millol, a 45-year-old mechanic.

Meritxell Agut, a 22-year-old bank worker, said she was “completely outraged and really sad.”

“They can destroy the government, they can destroy everything they want but we’ll keep on fighting.”

Catalonia is roughly split down the middle on independence, but residents cherish the autonomy of the wealthy, northeastern region, which saw its powers taken away under the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco.

Spain to seek suspension of Catalonia’s autonomy unless leader backs down

As such, Madrid’s move could anger even those against independence.
Barcelona’s Mayor Ada Colau, who opposes the independence drive, tweeted: “Rajoy has suspended the self-government of Catalonia for which so many people fought. A serious attack on the rights and freedoms of everyone.”

As a police helicopter hovered above, protesters booed and gave it the finger. “I wish they would just go,” said Balta, looking up at the sky.

The Spanish government’s proposed measures still have to be approved by the Senate.

But the upper house is majority-controlled by Rajoy’s ruling Popular Party and he has secured the support of other major parties, meaning they will almost certainly go through.

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LAHORE: The ruling party is trying to give the impression that there is a great tussle among PML-N ranks, but the Sharif brothers are playing a game of ‘good cop, bad cop’. One brother is mudslinging national institutions and the other is issuing statements in their support.

This was stated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central spokesman Shafqat Mahmood as he spoke to a news conference on Saturday.

Mahmood underscored that Sharif brothers were feigning a fight among themselves and creating a false impression of trouble among party ranks. He added PML-N leader Riaz Peerzada’s press conference was a recent example of their fake tussle.
Uncertainty shrouds appointment of PML-N’s ‘permanent’ chief

In Punjab, he said, the ruling party’s ministers are wondering about the circumstances within the party.

“Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz are issuing statements that they do not want any confrontation with Pakistan Army and state institutions, while deposed Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz have announced war against state institutes.”

He underscored the Sharif brothers are part and parcel of each other. “It does not make any difference if Shehbaz Sharif replaces his brother and takes over the party. Political history of the PML-N has proven that they are two sides of the same coin. However, the fight for the throne is underway among their offspring,” he added.

Mahmood highlighted that Shehbaz Sharif is accused of 14 murders in the Model Town carnage. “Victim families and people of Pakistan cannot forgive him. He is also one of the main accused in the Hudabia Paper Mills case.

He said women were giving birth to their children on roads due to the absence of a healthcare infrastructure in the city. The PTI leader continued that the government was focused on a mega development project only because of kickbacks and commissions.

“The provincial government does not invest in healthcare and education as rulers cannot make money in such projects.

He alleged that provincial government was building the Rs200 billion Lahore Orange Line Metro Tran project in which minimum they have gotten kickbacks worth Rs20 billion. He said people of Punjab were struggling for clean drinking water, but rulers are busy making money.

Internal rifts: PML-N issues notice to MPA

He said PML-N had the government in the centre and the province, while Maryum Nawaz was saying it is a “dictatorship”. “Are they trying to make fool of the public by making such statements?” he questioned.

He said the nation was waiting for this indictment for the past three decades. “The ruling party is running the country like a corporate. They have got UAE work permits by declaring themselves as guards and accountants. Hassan Nawaz has billions of rupees, but he is still a student.”

Mahmood backed Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s demand for Nawaz Shari’s arrest. He stressed that PTI Chairman Imran Khan has never held a public office and therefore it would be unfair to compare him to the Sharifs, who have constantly been in and out of government for the past three decades.

He demanded authorities put Nawaz Sharif’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL) and ensure a complete inquiry against him. Mahmood said his party had demanded early polls because it believed that there was a great political vacuum in the country.

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Source: Tribune News | Sharif brothers feigning party differences, claims PTI