Defying govt’s request, PDM confirms long march on Pakistan Day

ISLAMABAD: Despite persistent persuasion by the government, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has decided to continue with the long march against rising inflation on March 23 (Pakistan Day).

PDM’s chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, speaking to the media after concluding the all-parties session of the Opposition, said: “The PDM will enter Islamabad [on the scheduled day] and the government knew such a big march was due on that day, so under which conspiracy did they make such recommendations?”

Fazl said that all members have decided that an inflation march against the government will be held as per schedule on March 23.

He said: “People will turn to Islamabad from all corners of the country and this inflation march will be the last nail in the coffin for this government.”

The JUI chief reiterated that the people of Pakistan have been overburdened because of inflation; and PDM rejects the government’s “mini-budget”, urging them to withdraw the passed bill.

He went on to say that since the government is non-serious itself, it is “also treating the country’s economy in a non-serious manner.”

He added that during the session, all Opposition parties have been directed to continue with the preparations of the long march.

Fazl reiterated that the Opposition would “never allow the government to trade the freedom and sovereignty of the country.”

“The PTI leaders have made a mockery of the country’s economy,” he asserted, lamenting that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has been enslaved by international financial institutions.

Before beginning the session, PDM Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the PTI-led government has “lost its moral standing,” adding that the government allies are also hesitant to cooperate due to PTI’s “anti-people policies.”

The JUI chief said that the Opposition should hold serious talks with all government-allied parties and convince them of their stance against the government.

“If all allied parties support the Opposition in the House, the motion of no confidence would not be required,” he said.

According to sources, the all-party session, under the chairmanship of the PDM chief, is considering the strategy for the long march against the rising inflation and unemployment in the country.

The meeting will also discuss the in-house reshuffle and recommendations of the PDM steering committee. It will also review the foreign funding case against the PTI and Transparency International report which was released earlier today.

PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Mariyyum Aurangzeb were present while PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif and vice-president Maryam Nawaz joined the session through video link.

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