PDM to set out on long march towards Islamabad on March 26

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Thursday announced that it would march towards Islamabad on March 26, with rallies joining it towards the capital, Geo.tv reported.

Addressing a press conference, the PDM leadership — including the alliance's chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, and Bilawal Bhutto — announced that it would contest the Senate elections jointly.

The PDM chief, Maulana Fazl, addressing the presser, said that the Opposition had delayed the decision of no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan — a decision that the PML-N and PPP have argued openly about. 

Speaking about the government's decision to hold Senate elections via open ballot, he said that the alliance has observed that it may be due to a lack of confidence of the premier in his allies.

He said that the ruling PTI aimed at making such people senators who were not liked among the party's ranks. 

On the Broadsheet LLC scandal, Fazl said that PDM rejected the commission formed under Justice (retd) Azmat Saeed — an appointment that the Opposition strongly opposed as it was announced.

Fazlur Rehman that the way the development funds are being distributed, it seems as if Imran Khan has forgotten how "he would consider this bribery" in the past. "Now the Supreme Court judges have taken a suo moto notice, the dissemination of these funds should be stopped."

He added that government employees will also be staging a protest in Islamabad on February 10 and assured PDM's support to all such people who are planning to hold demonstrations against the government. 

PTI's foreign funding case

The PDM chief said that in the foreign funding case against the PTI, 23 accounts were brought to attention, "but 18 are being hidden". "The talk of an open trial of the matter was nothing but a drama and has no standing," he added.

"This is why he (Imran Khan) can no longer be termed saadiq (honest) and ameen (trustworthy) and his government must be declared illegal and justice demands a prompt decision in this regard, otherwise it is the murder of justice," said Fazlur Rehman.

'Certified thief'

Censuring the government over the recent corruption rankings given by Transparency International, Fazl said that Imran Khan has been "declared the most corrupt man" and a "certified thief."

Six-hour huddle

Prior to the press conference, a meeting between senior party leaders was held in Islamabad, lasting nearly six hours.

PPP's delegation included Bilawal Bhutto, Yousaf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Sherry Rehman, Qamar Zaman Kaira, and Farhatullah Babar. From PML-N, the party's vice-president Maryam Nawaz, Ahsan Iqbal, Marriyum Aurangzeb, and Rana Sanaullah were present.

Ameer Haider Hoti, Mehmood Khan Ackahzai, Aftab Sherpao, Akram Durrani, Owais Shah Noorani, Professor Sajid Mir, and Dr Malik were also in attendance.

Sources said that other options, including a no-confidence motion, were also debated between PPP and PML-N leaders.

Nawaz, Fazl speak over phone

Earlier, Fazl and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had reportedly spoken over the phone. Sources said the two leaders had consultations over the anti-government movement.

Nawaz is said to have agreed with the proposals put forward by Fazl, giving assurances to the PDM chief of PML-N's full support on whatever PDM decides.

Read more: Maryam, Fazl discuss Nawaz's message at PDM chief's residence: sources

It was reported that Nawaz told Fazl that the PML-N is ready to use full force in the anti-government movement.

News of the phone call between Nawaz and Fazl comes after a meeting at Fazl's house of JUI-F's Central Working Committee which lasted for six hours. After the meeting, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz reached Fazl's house with PML-N veteran leader Rana Sanaullah and party spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb.

The discussion of the politicians reportedly centred around PDM's joint strategy on the Senate elections and PPP's no-confidence motion - both to be debated today.

'PTI government a threat to Pakistan'

A day earlier, PML-N senior leader Ahsan Iqbal had said the PTI government has become a threat to Pakistan.

He was speaking to the media outside the residence of Fazl in Islamabad. Iqbal said the PTI government has ruined the economy and foreign policy.

Read more: PDM to contest by-polls, will take decision on Senate election later: Fazl

The deadline given to the government to resign has expired, he said, adding that the top leadership of the PDM will now make important announcements regarding the long march and future strategy of the 11-party opposition alliance against the government.

Iqbal said that one thing everyone in the agreed on in the meeting at Fazl's house was that Imran Khan has to go.

We will not be at peace till we dismiss this government, he said.