Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman has said that the alliance has unanimously decided to move a no-confidence motion against the incumbent PTI government.
The Maulana was addressing a press conference after holding a meeting of the PDM in Lahore on Friday, flanked by Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, and Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz. Other members of the anti-government alliance joined the meeting via video link.
Fazal said the alliance would approach the government’s allied parties to have them on board so as to acquire a voting majority in the National Assembly — a prerequisite to bringing about a no-confidence motion against the prime minister.
The PDM chief went on to say that all Opposition parties that were present during the meeting have decided nemine contradicente that this “illegal government should be sent packing.”
“We will first do our homework, so we cannot talk about a definite timeframe for this move,” he said, adding that the government’s allied parties should keep the plight of the masses in their mind and make a decision accordingly.
“When it comes to politics, you have to have a big heart,” he said. “We are political people, so we will make calculated decisions.”
Answering a question, the PDM chief said that all the “homework” related to the no-confidence motion will be completed before the Opposition’s planned long march, which is set to begin on Pakistan Day (March 25).
When asked why the PDM announced the decision to bring about a no-confidence motion against the government without completing the “homework” Fazal said that the Opposition should be allowed to make preparations first.
“The PDM has announced the no-confidence motion at this stage because we have a firm intention of doing so. Without preparations, we cannot give a date, so let us do our work,” he said.
Answering a question about the planned long march, he said that it will take place as per the schedule, while the PDM’s steering committee will chalk out a plan for this purpose.
When a reporter asked Fazal what the PDM will do if the government’s allied parties refuse to cooperate, he said: “In that case, we will hold talks with them once again and try to convince them.”
He added that the PDM will “not contact any PTI member,” adding that if they contact the anti-government alliance themselves, there could be any reason for that.
“We are neither going to bribe anyone nor lure them [to join us] by offering any seats [political incentives],” Fazal maintained.
On the other hand, Shahbaz Sharif said that the citizens of Pakistan are protesting against inflation and the ensuing poverty.
“Who else would come forward to rid them of this tyrant government if not us?”
Shahbaz said only God knows how much time will it take for the movement to succeed before the government is ousted, but noted that “millions [of people] in the country are suffering”.
Answering a question, he said that “Maulana’s relation with the PPP is even older than his relationship with me.”
