Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) President and JUI-F Amir Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that the PDM is united and any attempt to sabotage it will be repelled with full force, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Addressing a joint news conference with PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz after a detailed PDM meeting at Jati Umra in Lahore on Sunday, Maulana Fazl said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has become a tool in the hands of the rulers.
The NAB summons for Maryam Nawaz to appear before it on March 26 was an attempt to pressure the PML-N leader, Fazl maintained.
He said millions of workers of all the PDM parties will accompany Maryam Nawaz to the NAB offices on March 26. Fazl said that the arguments presented by the NAB against Maryam proved that the institution is a “puppet”.
“The NAB has approached the court for cancellation of the bail on the basis that she speaks against institutions,” Fazl pointed out. “Does this mean the NAB has been formed to back the state’s institutions?”
He assured the PML-N vice-president that all PDM workers will accompany her on March 26 in a show of solidarity. “We will be there with her shoulder-to-shoulder,” he added.
The JUI-F chief said the PDM was united and will remain united despite rumours. “We are trying to keep all the parties united and will solve our disagreements with the PPP as well.”
Talking about the long march, he said that a new date will be announced after a PDM meeting. “We are determined to address all concerns, even if they’re from a small party.”
He went on to say that the masses have been suppressed by inflation and high power tariff, adding that Pakistan has been made to act on IMF's orders. "The country is being made to act on such directions over its economic situation," he said.
The PDM chief said that the PPP should respect the decision of the nine other parties of the alliance. "However, we will wait for the decision of the party's central executive committee's and consider their suggestions. We will amicably resolve the issue with them," he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Maryam Nawaz said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will have to answer to the situation he has put the country in. "The PDM is united to seek these answers and represent the masses; we will not give the government any sort of leverage or let them escape this situation," the PML-N leader stated.
Maryam remarked that JUI-F and PML-N have had successful rallies and protests in their constituencies and don’t need anyone else. “But it will be better if the opposition comes together and fights for the rights of the public.”
The leader said that before the Senate elections it was decided that PPP’s Yousaf Raza Gilani will stand for the Senate chairman seat, JUI-F’s Abdul Ghafoor Haidri will contest for the deputy chairman and the opposition leader will be from PML-N. “The decision was taken and I hope everyone stands by it.”
Maryam said the slot of leader of the opposition in the Senate belongs to the PML-N. “It was decided before the Senate elections that the seat will go to PML-N no matter what would be the outcome of the elections and I hope everyone will respect it,” she insisted.
Responding to a question about differences with Hamza Shehbaz, Maryam said the people who are spreading these false reports should be ashamed of their actions. “There is no such thing between me and Hamza. He took part in every sitting of the PDM today,” she said.
Earlier, PDM bigwigs held their meeting at Jati Umra to chalk out the future course of action against the government including a possible long march.
After the PPP sought more time to ponder over the issue of resignations from the parliament, top PML-N leaders including Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Sunday welcomed the JUI-F supremo and PDM President Maulana Fazlur Rehman and his delegation at Sharifs residence at Jati Umra.
According to the sources, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was also in attendance through a video link from London.
The PML-N delegation included Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal, Maryam Nawaz, Hamza Shehbaz, Pervaiz Rashid, Rana Sanaullah Khan and Marriyum Aurangzeb.
JUI Central Spokesperson Aslam Ghauri said, “PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman called on Maryam Nawaz at Raiwind to discuss the political situation prevailing in the country and on the long march and future course of strategy.”
According to the TV channel, Maulana Fazl told the meeting that he would not allow anyone to sabotage the PDM.
PML-N central leader Rana Sanaullah talking to the media before the meeting predicted, “The PDM movement will surely succeed as this fight against the government is between ‘good and evil’.”
Rana said that whether the PDM will be made of nine parties or three, the movement will succeed. He demanded an investigation into what happened to the PPP in the Senate elections. “The team which was spearheading the senators guiding them to vote on the names of the candidate must be investigated,” he demanded.
“Was that a mistake or conspiracy? This should be investigated because it would be better for the PDM and the PPP as well. In my personal opinion this was more than the mistake,” Rana Sanaullah said.
He claimed that their sit-in will break the 126-day record (of the PTI in 2014).
The PML-N central leader also said that the one who leaked the PDM meeting details regarding Asif Ali Zardari’s speech, had actually damaged the PPP.
The N-League leader and former law minister certified that the long march has only been postponed until after Eid and it was not cancelled.
Reporter Ali Akbar