Opposition parties won't resign from assemblies, predicts Rashid

Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid said on Thursday that he hopes that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) will not agitate beyond the planned long march and the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

"The PDM's feelings of anger have settled down," the veteran politician said while addressing a presser in Rawalpindi today. "No movement can topple elected governments."

He went on to cite the example of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) 126-day sit-in against the former government, saying "the then government didn't depart because of it".

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"We are not giving a tough time to the opposition, we will respond with whatever they will do." Politics, he added, isn't the name of reaching a dead end, as dialogue is the best option.

"Those who are talking about resigning from the assemblies may revisit their decisions as it won't bring any change," the federal minister said.

He added, "the government has already completed three years in office, with just one year left. Electoral activities begin in the fourth year."

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Rashid further said that Senate elections planned for March will strengthen democracy, adding both Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) had agreed on open vote in the Charter of Democracy, but both have now backtracked on their stance.

He further said, "PM Imran wishes for the Senate elections to be transparent, with every member having the courage to cast their vote confidently."