Opposition forms Pakistan Democratic Movement to oust PTI-led govt

Opposition forms Pakistan Democratic Movement to oust PTI-led govt

Islamabad (Web Desk): The opposition parties on Sunday formed a new alliance named Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to oust the PTI-led government.

The eight-hour-long PPP-hosted multi-party conference (MPC) which was also addressed by deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari through video link, the opposition leaders announced that they would use all political and democratic options, including no-confidence motions and en mass resignations from parliament, to seek “the selected prime minister’s resignation and an end to the role of the establishment in politics”.

After the meeting, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman along with PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif and vice president Maryam Nawaz, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and other prominent opposition leaders presented a detailed “action plan” before the media.

The JUI-F chief also read out a 26-point declaration in the form of a resolution containing various demands, including “end of establishment’s interference in politics, new free and fair elections after formulation of election reforms with no role of armed forces and intelligence agencies, release of political prisoners, withdrawal of cases against journalists, implementation of the National Action Plan against terrorism, speeding up of the projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and across the board accountability under a new accountability law”.

The MPC also expressed concern over price hike, increase in terrorism incidents and non-implementation of the NAP on terrorism. It also expressed concern over the growing tension in the country due to recent sectarian-related incidents and termed it “dangerous and a result of the government’s criminal negligence”.

PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif said that the opposition had no option but to arrive at these decisions as the incumbent government was "selected" and could not handle the country's affairs.

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the opposition is headed towards its "mission" under the guidance and support of the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP chairman Asif Zardari.