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).<\/p>\n
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?”<\/p>\n
Fazl said that all members have decided that an inflation march against the government will be held as per schedule on March 23.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cPeople 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The JUI chief reiterated that the people of Pakistan have been overburdened because of inflation; and PDM rejects the government\u2019s \u201cmini-budget\u201d, urging them to withdraw the passed bill.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
He added that during the session, all Opposition parties have been directed to continue with the preparations of the long march.<\/p>\n
Fazl reiterated that the Opposition would “never allow the government to trade the freedom and sovereignty of the country.”<\/p>\n
\u201cThe PTI leaders have made a mockery of the country’s economy,\u201d he asserted, lamenting that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has been enslaved by international financial institutions.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf all allied parties support the Opposition in the House, the motion of no confidence would not be required,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n