PDM having second thoughts about Pakistan Day march

Sources say alliance is considering putting off the protest march due to upcoming K-P LG polls

ISLAMABAD:

The much-hyped “inflation march” of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is likely to be postponed due to the second phase of local bodies elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), sources said on Sunday.

In December, the opposition alliance announced it would hold an "anti-inflation march" in Islamabad on March 23, 2022, Pakistan Day, to protest against the “government's failures”.

PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had said that the march would be a "huge demonstration" and the "whole nation would participate". "People will come to Islamabad from all corners of the country to participate in a demonstration against inflation, unemployment and poverty."

However, sources in the eight-party opposition alliance now indicated that the protest march might be rescheduled keeping in view the upcoming second phase of local government polls in K-P, which were recently put off until March 27.

“The final decision will be taken by the top leadership following their upcoming meeting,” sources added.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman while addressing a news conference in Peshawar also confirmed the possibility of deferring the march, saying that the consultation in this regard was underway with the provincial leaders of the opposition alliance.He said all constituent parties of the PDM were ready to march on Islamabad, however, the final date of the protest would be decided by the PDM leadership in the upcoming meeting.

Also read: PDM decides to march on Islamabad on March 23

Earlier, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed had asked the PDM leadership to review its decision to march on Islamabad on Pakistan Day and chance its date as it would coincide with the annually-held military parade on March 23 in the federal capital to mark the Pakistan Day celebrations.

However, the PDM had refused to reschedule the long march date and warned the authorities against using force to bar protesters from entering the federal capital. Time and again, the PDM announced holding countrywide protests against the ruling PTI but had not yet been able to go beyond its preparation to execute its plans and put a dent. Instead, it lost two of its allies – the PPP and the ANP – along the way a year after its formation.

The JUI-F chief said that “movement means a continuous struggle”, but avoided giving a final date for the decisive anti-government march and protest that had long been projected as final steps in dislodging the government.

Fazl, who also heads the PDM, further said that the “incompetent government” had ruined the economy of the country, adding that people were finding it difficult to live due to inflation. “Today, people are committing suicide due to inflation, no discussion has been held on mini-budget,” he remarked.

The supplementary finance bill, passed by the National Assembly last week, should have gone to the standing committee, said the JUI-F chief. “Through the bill, the State Bank of Pakistan will be controlled by the IMF,” he added.

Fazl said they never considered the PPP an opponent. “We consider the PPP and the ANP as part of the opposition… our demand is for general elections, and we have a consensus with the PPP on overthrowing the government," he said.

The PTI suffered its worst defeat in the local body elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, said the JUI-F chief whose party emerged as the single-largest in the last month’s elections.

“The results of the K-P local body elections have proved that the people are no longer ready to tolerate this government. They [PTI] will suffer even worst defeat in the next phase.”