ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Saturday decided to hold several anti-inflation protests across the country, which will culminate in the long march towards Islamabad.
The decision was taken at the summit session of the Opposition alliance, convened on an urgent basis by the Maulana Fazlur Rehman, to discuss the strategy for a joint sitting of the Parliament on November 10 and rising inflation.
PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith (MJAH) president Senator Prof Sajid Mir, and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai had joined the meeting via video link.
PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif briefed the meeting on his talks with Opposition leaders. The PDM leadership also discussed the petrol price hike and rising inflation, and how to strengthen PDM’s country-wide protests.
The meeting also discussed the recently promulgated National Accountability (Third Amendment) Ordinance 2021 and decided to oppose the NAB Amendment Ordinance in the joint parliament session.
The session also discussed the issue of electronic voting machines and PDM’s stance over awarding the voting right to overseas Pakistanis.
Shahbaz, Bilawal talk
On Friday, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and Shehbaz Sharif discussed the government decision to hike petrol prices across the country. Shehbaz called the PPP chairman to discuss the inflationary situation in the country and discussed a joint strategy against the government.
Bilawal criticised the prime minister, saying that he had offered a “lollipop” of relief to the masses before hiking petrol prices. With each passing day, the government is increasing the problems of people, he added.
He said those who increased the ghee price by 110% in three years, gave 30% relief to the masses. Electricity prices have increased by 60% in three years and today, Imran Khan is announcing a 30% relief package.
