PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman refuses to quit. Emboldened by his party’s impressive performance in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local bodies election, the JUI-F leader is once again flexing his muscles for another march to Islamabad.
The multi-party anti-government alliance – which had lost momentum after the PPP and ANP had left unceremoniously – has announced a long march towards the capital on March 23. The date is significant as it is not away from the chilly winters in the federal capital but also gives ample time for planning and discussing the future course of action.
It is already been reported that the alliance is having second thoughts over having a long march on the proposed date. The federal capital is under strict security due to the military parade and Pakistan Day festivities. More importantly, it is just days ahead of the second phase of the local government elections scheduled to be held on March 27.
The ruling PTI had a disappointing run in the first phase of the local body polls in KP, the province where it claims to hold its greatest support. The JUI-F surprisingly outperformed both its allies and rivals, reshaping the political landscape in the future. The JUI-F had never been in a better position since the victory of the MMA religious alliance in 2002 before the PTI emerged as its arch-rivals.
The election results have certainly emboldened Maulana Fazlur Rehman to once again take on his nemesis. He has claimed that the 2018 general elections were rigged but the higher powers in the nations were ‘neutral’ in the LG polls. This has raised concerns if the JUI-F has made a deal with the establishment or is facing the effects of the situation in Afghanistan.
The PDM doesn’t have a concrete agenda against the government, except claiming that high inflation has made life miserable and it is now their responsibility to get out of the current situation. Perhaps it is more personal for the JUI-F chief who wants to deal a big blow after being shut out of the political system for the last few years.
Maulana Fazl certainly believes the winds of change have started blowing across the political corridors and the effects will be felt in the local bodies polls. It needs to be seen if he will be successful and make a comeback particularly when the rest of the opposition may not remain by his side.
