PDM Chief says ‘We need some time to do our homework and will approach govt’s allied parties to have them on board’
Bilawal hopes the move will serve as a ‘victory for democracy’
From Abid Usman
LAHORE: Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Friday evening announced the Opposition alliance has unanimously decided to move a no-confidence motion against the incumbent PTI government.
Fazl was speaking during a press conference after holding a meeting of the PDM in Lahore. He was flanked by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, and Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz. Other members of the anti-government alliance joined the meeting via video link.
Fazl said the alliance would approach the government’s allied parties to have them on board so as to acquire a voting majority in the National Assembly — a prerequisite to bringing about a no-confidence motion against the prime minister.
The PDM chief went on to say that all Opposition parties that were present during the meeting have decided nemine contradicente that this “illegal government should be sent packing.”
“We will first do our homework, so we cannot talk about a definite timeframe for this move,” he said, adding that the government’s allied parties should keep the plight of the masses in their mind and make a decision accordingly.
“When it comes to politics, you have to have a big heart,” he said. “We are political people, so we will make calculated decisions.”
Answering a question, the PDM chief said that all the “homework” related to the no-confidence motion will be completed before the Opposition’s planned long march, which is set to begin on Pakistan Day (March 25).
When asked why the PDM announced the decision to bring about a no-confidence motion against the government without completing the “homework” Fazl said that the Opposition should be allowed to make preparations first.
“The PDM has announced the no-confidence motion at this stage because we have a firm intention of doing so. Without preparations, we cannot give a date, so let us do our work,” he said.
Answering a question about the planned long march, he said that it will take place as per the schedule, while the PDM’s steering committee will chalk out a plan for this purpose.
When a reporter asked Fazl what the PDM will do if the government’s allied parties refuse to cooperate, he said: “In that case, we will hold talks with them once again and try to convince them.”
He added that the PDM will “not contact any PTI member,” adding that if they contact the anti-government alliance themselves, there could be any reason for that.
“We are neither going to bribe anyone nor lure them [to join us] by offering any seats [political incentives],” Fazl maintained.
