PDM to restart anti-govt movement sans PPP, ANP from July 4

Pakistan Democratic Movement has decided to launch a fresh movement against the government without PPP and ANP, reported 24News HD TV channel. 

The PMD held a meeting in Islamabad Saturday to discuss the challenges facing by Pakistan and the situation of the region. 

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman while addressing the media person after the meeting said they would hold a public gathering in Swat on July 4 and later a mass public meeting would be held in Karachi on July 29. 

He said on August 14, they would hold a big power show which would be about ‘freedom of Pakistan’ as well as Kashmir and Palestine. 

Fazlur Rehman said that we discussed the situation of the region. He said the incumbent government not an elected government and it did not have the capability to solve the problems facing by the country. 

He said the meeting had decided to demand of calling a joint session of the parliament regarding the Afghanistan situation where the institutions should give a briefing. 

“The rumours regarding giving airbases to America should be explained. He said that the relevant institutions should explain the rumours regarding giving air bases to America.” 

He said the PDM had decided to start a legal battle against the corruption of the PTI and its unconstitutional acts. He said they had developed a system of contacting the masses across the country and starting protest movements. 

Regarding a question about the upcoming budget session, Fazl said that they have given the task to Shehbaz Sharif regarding budget as he was the opposition leader in National Assembly. 

When asked about PPP and ANP inclusion into PDM, Fazlur Rehman said that they had not discussed PPP and ANP in the meeting as they were not with them. He said if they (PPP and ANP) wanted they could come back. 

A journalist asked PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, who was flanking Fazlur Rehman at the press talk, what was PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif’s opinion regarding this. Maryam Nawaz said that Nawaz’s opinion was the same as whatever Maulana was saying.

Earlier, the summit meeting of the top leaders of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) started in Islamabad on Saturday with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman in the chair.

The much-awaited huddle of the PDM leaders took place at the PML-N Secretariat in the federal capital with a focus on framing the future strategy of the alliance.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif was leading his party’s delegation which also included Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Ahsan Iqbal.

Leaders from other PDM component parties were also in attendance including Aftab Sherpao, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Mir Kabir Shahi and Tahir Bezinjo.

See Also: PPP will have to answer show-cause notice, says Haideri

The key huddle deliberated on the political situation prevailing in the country and the future line of PDM action.

Ahead of today’s meeting, Shehbaz Sharif and Maulana Fazl held a dinner meeting in Islamabad on Saturday. Later, addressing the media, Shehbaz Sharif said that no party can oust the other one from the PDM.

Shehbaz Sharif while responding to the queries of the journalists said: “I do not have any personal opinion. Decisions are made with consensus after consultations. A PDM meeting will be held where we will discuss the strategy about the upcoming budget as well as country’s overall situation.” 

He said they had talked about a variety of issues and after the meeting of the PDM, they would tell further plans of action. 

Fawad’s advice to Shehbaz

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has advised Shehbaz Sharif to try and unite his own party (PML-N) instead of focusing on bringing together the opposition parties.

In a tweet uploaded on Saturday, Fawad said “Your boat is stuck in the whirlpool and if it comes out Maulana Fazl is always there to shoulder any anarchy.”

شہباز شریف پہلے اپوزیشن کو اکٹھا کرنے کی بجا ئےنون لیگ کو اکٹھا کرنے پردھیان دیں، کشتی بھنور میں ہےاگراس سے نکلے تو فضل الرحمنٰ کا کندھا تو ہر انتشار کیلئے حاضر ہی ہے، اپوزیشن سنجیدہ ہو تو الیکشن اصلاحات پر بات کرنے کیلئےPDM جیسے چوں چوں کے مربعے کی بجائے پارلیمانی لیڈرز بات کریں

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) May 29, 2021

Fawad further said if the Opposition is serious about talks on electoral reforms then their parliamentary leaders rather than the hotchpotch PDM should talk to the government.

Reporters Sagheer Chaudhry and Awais Kiyani