ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Tuesday announced that the long march scheduled for March 26 has been postponed after rifts emerged among the opposition alliance over the resignations option.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting of the PDM in Islamabad today, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said nine PDM parties had agreed on the suggestion to submit resignations along with the long march.
However, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had concerns over linking the resignations with the march and had sought time to hold talks within its Central Executive Committee before informing the PDM of its choice.
Rehman said they have given them the time and will wait for PPP’s decision. Until then, the March 26 long march will be considered postponed,” he added.
The PDM chief left the press conference suddenly following the announcement and did not respond when PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz asked him out to take questions to reporters.
Meanwhile, talking to the media Maryam said Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari during the meeting had asked her father Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan so that the opposition “could struggle together”.
It is worth mentioning here while addressing the meeting of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) earlier the day in Lahore through a video link, Zardari asked PML-N founder Nawaz Sharif to return back to Pakistan to wage a decisive battle against the government.
The PPP co-chairman said that the decision to submit mass resignations from assemblies will upshoot in strengthening Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and the establishment.
Zardari said he himself served a 13-year-long prison so if Nawaz Sharif is serious in his battle for democracy, then he should fly back to Pakistan. “The PDM’s long march can only be successful if Nawaz Sharif returns to the country,” he maintained.
The former president also criticized PML-N leader Ishaq Dar, saying he did not take part in Senate polls despite the fact that each vote matters. “Everyone will have to face the hardships in this battle if we are in for a decisive battle for democracy,” Zardari remarked.
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz asked Asif Ali Zardari to guarantee that the life of her father will not be endangered on his return.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif while talking to Asif Zardari said “My father’s life is in danger, how can he return home? If he comes to Pakistan, his life will be in danger.”
Commenting on the mews difference among the PDM parties, federal minister Asad Umar tweeted: “Opposition’s internal differences have come out in the open.”
اپوزیشن کے اندرونی اختلافات کھل کر سامنے آ گئے. نا کوئی نظریہ نا کوئی قومی سوچ، صرف زاتی مفادات کے دفاع کی جستجو. ناکامی در ناکامی کے سوا کچھ حاصلِ نہیں کیا انہوں نے
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 16, 2021
