The 11-party opposition alliance, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), has decided launch a long march towards Islamabad on March 26 but deferred a no-confidence motion against the prime minister till the Senate elections that it will contest jointly.
The decision was announced by PDM chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman at a news conference after the meeting at his residence on Thursday. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif also participated in the meeting through video link.
He said the rallies from all over the country will move towards Islamabad on March 26.
Regarding Senate elections, the Maulana said the PDM has also decided that the parties in the alliance will not field candidates against each another.
On Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s proposal of no-confidence against the prime minister, he said the option was discussed at length and it was decided that the motion will be tabled after the Senate elections.
The former prime minister also suggested that the no-confidence motion and resignations should be considered after the Senate elections. He also urged the PDM to remain united and hold protest demonstrations across the country.
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said the media has to wait for how long the long march will continue.
The Maulana said the PDM also rejected the constitutional amendment regarding Senate elections. He claimed that the PTI parliamentarians do not favour some candidates in the elections and do not like to vote for them.
The PDM also rejected Broadsheet inquiry commission headed by Justice (Retired) Azmat Saeed.
The meeting also decided that the opposition members will continue their protest in the Senate and National Assembly against biased attitude of the Chairman and Speaker and will cooperate with them in proceedings.
About 23 bank accounts of Prime Minister Imran Khan of whom 18 accounts were not declared, the Maulana said he should not be called ‘Sadiq’ and ‘Ameen’. He also demanded that foreign funding case verdict should be announced without any delay.
He said that the Transparency International report on Pakistan proved that the present government and the prime minister are the most corrupt.
Maryam Nawaz said the PDM will continue discussion on no-confidence motion as every party has its own view on it.
Regarding Punjab government, she said Usman Buzdar should continue and let people know the difference between fake government and PML-N government.
She defended Maulana Fazal and said he did not give any remarks about the establishment but the media twisted it.
She claimed that the issue of local government election was raised only to sabotage the long march.
Maryam hoped that Shahbaz Sharif will get well soon.
