PDM chief’s volte-face on resignations

Says they will stage rally outside ECP on Jan 19

QUETTA:

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday announced that the Pakistan Democratic Movement will hold a rally in front of the Election Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad (ECP) on January 19 against the rumoured repeal of the 18th amendment.

While addressing a rally in Loralai district of Balochistan, he highlighted how the 18th amendment had enabled provinces to receive a full share and right in the National Finance Comission award and its abolishment would be a blow to democracy.

The JUI-F chief clarified PDM’s “war” was not aimed against the army but it was for the supremacy of the Constitution.

Fazlur Rehman, once again, alleged that people have rejected the decisions of the selectors and the elected without citing any evidence to back his claim.

He urged the people of the country to strengthen democracy and stop violating the Constitution. “We are against those who are wrapping up the rug of democracy.”

Taking a jibe at the establishment for what he called “considering the Constitution merely a piece of paper”, the JUI-F chief said PDM will not back down at any cost and shall continue to fight in every forum, including parliament.

“We will not leave the wicket empty by resigning from parliament,” Fazl said. “We want to make this clear to the establishment.”

As he continued ranting against the premier, Fazl also said, “I would have resigned if the people protested against me but Imran Khan is a U-turn master who does not even remember what he used to say earlier.”

He alleged that the nation is ashamed in front of the whole world because of the incumbent prime minister’s decisions taken in the first two years of the PTI-led government.

Pointing out mistakes and bad decisions pertaining to the foreign policy, the PDM head said UAE and China are unhappy with the state of affairs in the country and are asking for loans to be repaid because they have no confidence in the incumbent rulers.

“The government did not fulfill any promise. Be it five million houses or employment of ten million people,” he said while reminding that if Imran Khan did not resign before January 31, then the long march would be directed towards both Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

“We are not trying to create political instability. The PDM has so far demonstrated the politics of nobility and decency,” he added. “Do not expect us to remain peaceful if the prime minister maintains the same non-serious attitude.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2021.