PDM announces no-trust motion against PM Imran’s govt

Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM), the anti-government opposition alliance, on Friday announced bringing a no-confidence motion against the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The announcement was made following a meeting of the multi-party alliance during a press conference in Islamabad.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who also heads the PDM, said that the participants of the meeting unanimously decided to bring a no-confidence motion against the "incompetent" government, adding that the allies of the ruling party would also be contacted in this connection.

"We will ask them [coalition partners of PTI government] to have some mercy on the people of Pakistan the way they have been dealt with [by the current regime] during the last few years," he added.

Fazl said that a committee would also be constituted to contact the government's allies. However, he added, the members of the committee would be announced later.

Also read: PML-N mulls no-confidence against PM this month

Answering a question, the PDM head said that the alliance would first prepare a framework after contacting the government's allies and then bring the vote of no-confidence in the National Assembly.

To a question regarding PPP's proposal of bringing the no-confidence motion last year, Fazl said that his target was only to oust the incumbent government from power and he will never fight a "public war" with any party.

"I have the answer to your question and you will like it as well but I will not give it to you right now," he said while responding to a question.

On a question of taking the PPP on board, he said that one has to give sacrifices for the sake of the country, adding the political landscape of the country had changed now.

"At that time [last year], the game was in someone else's hand but now even they are not in control," he remarked.

To a question regarding the time frame to table the no-confidence motion in the lower house, Fazl said that there was a lot of groundwork needed to be done before executing their decision as it involved ‘many stakeholders’.

"Without any ground work or preparation, we will not be able to achieve the desired results. Therefore, we need a bit of time," he added.

Also read: BAP threatens to leave govt over no representation in cabinet

Fazl said that they were still going ahead with their plan to carry out a long march against the government on March 23, saying that they have asked the steering committee of the alliance to follow up and report back with details.

He said that they will bring the no-confidence motion against the PTI government wherever they get the opportunity. "This includes Centre and provinces but obviously we will not bring it [no-confidence vote] against PPP government in Sindh."

Speaking on the occasion, Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said that they reached the decision keeping in view sufferings of the people of Pakistan during the tenure of the present government.

"There are millions of people who have been affected by the oppressive policies of the current government... they look towards the sky for help and stage protest against the government," he added.

To a question regarding an alleged contact between Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PPP leaders, Shehbaz said that Fazl's relations with the PPP are older than his.

Last week, the PML-N and the PPP had agreed to make joint efforts and use every option at their disposal to oust the PTI-led government, while the former also promised to give consideration to the latter’s suggestion of moving a no-confidence motion in parliament.

Read more: PML-N, PPP agree on no-trust move against PM Imran

This was decided during a luncheon hosted for PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his father, former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, by PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif at his residence in Model Town, Lahore.

The meeting was also attended by PML-N Vice Presidents Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shehbaz, MNA Khawaja Saad Rafique and central spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb. PPP Punjab General Secretary Hasan Murtaza was also there accompanying his party leadership.

Ahead of the two long marches, one announced by the PPP for February 27 and other announced by the PML-N and its allied parties under the platform of the Pakistan Democratic Movement for March 23, which the government side did not see as a serious threat to its existence, the two sides mainly discussed joining forces during their respective protests.

During the meeting, the PML-N also agreed to consider the option that it had long refused to entertain – moving a no-confidence motion in parliament.