Opposition including PML-N has no issues with the army: Maulana Fazl

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief and head of the newly-formed opposition alliance, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday predicted an imminent downfall of the government.

Speaking to the media after a meeting between the leadership of the two parties at Jati Umra, both Maryan and Fazl promised a “huge show of masses” in the upcoming PDM rallies in Gujranwala and in Karachi and said that the opposition’s planned show of strength had already scared the rulers.

“The people of Pakistan are looking towards the PDM with hopes,” Maryan said. “The government had already got scared of the movement. I want to assure people that we will not fall short of their expectations under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and Maulana Fazlur Rehman,” she added.

Fazl endorsed her statement. “We have decided to cross all hurdles,” the JUI-F chief told the reporters. “We want to become a ray of hope for the people of Pakistan. The PDM will attract large crowds and the upcoming public gatherings in Gujranwala and Karachi will be huge shows,” he added.

Earlier, Fazl met Maryam and the two discussed the prevailing political situation, particularly the arrangements for the upcoming PDM rally in Gujranwala on October 16. Speaking on the occasion, Maryam said that former prime minister had emerged the defender of the Constitution.

In the meeting, Fazl was accompanied by a six-member delegation, comprising Maulana Yousaf, Shah Awais Noorani, Maulana Amjad, Mufti Ibrar, Dr Attiqur Rehman and Maulana Saifullah. PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbassi, Muhammad Zubair, Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Asif, Saad Raffique, Ayaz Sadiq, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Rana Sanaullah and Pervaiz Rashid were also present.

Maryam Nawaz congratulated Fazl on becoming the PDM President and praised the leadership of the JUI-F chief during last year’s Azadi March for supremacy of the Constitution and sanctity of the vote. “We are happy about this decision,” she said. “People are also happy at your becoming the PDM head.”

She also thanked Fazl for condemning the arrest for PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif. She said that Shehbaz was “punished” for being brother of Nawaz Sharif. She also stressed that no-one could take away the right of the people to elect their representatives.

The PML-N leader unleashed a tranchet criticism of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government and accused it of an all-round failure. “Today the economy is in shambles, inflation is at an all-time high, from electricity to gas, everything has become expensive to make life of a common man miserable.”

In these circumstances, the PML-N vice president said that masses were looking towards the PDM to rid them of “this curse”. She added that getting rid of the “selected anti-people government” would be a big relief for the people.

Before coming to Jati Umra, Fazl chaired a general council meeting in Lahore attended by all the district officer-bearers of the party. In his address, he stressed the need for taking a firm decision regarding resigning from assemblies.

Condemning the sedition case against the PML-N leaders, he said that “when you register an Fir against the prime minister of Azad Kashmir, what message are you giving to people of Kashmir”. When asked about the aftermath of Azadi march, Fazl said a smart man doesn’t fall for the same trick twice.

WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK