ISLAMABAD: The all parties conference (APC) of the opposition on Sunday announced forming the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to launch an anti-government drive in the country from October.
It demanded immediate resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan, and warned of launching of an anti-government movement in 10 days, from October, if the demand was not fulfilled. The movement would consist of a series of protests and rallies, culminating in a long march in January 2021 against the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government.
“In the first phase, joint public rallies would be held in the provincial capitals and other cities in October, while in the second phase, big rallies would be brought out in the provincial capitals and other cities in December, and the decisive long march on Islamabad would be held in January 2021,” said Maulana Fazlur Rehman, while addressing a press conference after the APC.
He was accompanied by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President Shahbaz Sharif, and other leaders, who earlier attended the APC.
The Maulana, while reading out the action plan, finalised at the APC, said it was decided that all political and parliamentary options would be adopted, including the options of a no-confidence motion and joint resignations from the parliament.
Responding to questions during the press conference, PPP Chairman Bilawal said “we are used to facing undemocratic forces with a democratic force”. To another question regarding the absence of 356 parliamentarians from the joint sitting of the parliament, due to which the opposition faced a parliamentary defeat, Bilawal said the votes fell short as some members could not come to parliament due to some reasons. “This was not an issue; the real issue is rigging that took place on that day, and even those who were not members of any house were counted.”
