Maulana Fazlur Rehman nominated head of PDM

ISLAMABAD: The Opposition parties through consensus have nominated Jamiat ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman as the head of the newly formed Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Saturday.

As per details, the decision was made in a virtual meeting of the alliance’s steering committee held on Saturday and announced by PML-N secretary-general Ahsan Iqbal.

PDM Virtual Meeting @NawazSharifMNS @BBhuttoZardari @betterpakistan @iamowaisnoorani @juipakofficial pic.twitter.com/wUdZHBdYBT

— Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman (@MoulanaOfficial) October 3, 2020

The meeting was attended by Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Ahsan Iqbal, Nawab Akhtar Mengal, Shah Owais Noorani, Ameer Haider Khan Houthi and other notable Opposition figures.

“Nawaz Sharif recommended Fazlur Rehman’s name and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari endorsed it,” Iqbal said. He said that the leader will change on a rotation basis and the duration of the appointment will be determined soon.

“PDM has expressed great confidence in the leadership of Fazlur Rehman,” said the PML-N stalwart. Iqbal said that unanimous approval was accorded to two resolutions.

“PDM’s struggle is to ensure that the Constitution and the supremacy of law are upheld and the people’s economic rights are protected,” he said. PDM’s organizational hierarchy was also discussed.

Earlier, the Opposition’s Rehbar Committee — comprising top leaders from each party — had recommended Fazlur Rehman’s name to head the alliance.

The majority of the attendees agreed on Fazl as their choice to lead the alliance and representatives of smaller political parties stated that only Fazl can lead the opposition effectively.

The movement has announced that it will hold its first public rally on October 11 in Quetta to rid the country of the current “unconstitutional system”.

It must be noted that the Opposition parties had some differences over the allocations of post as PPP wanted to allocate the post on a rotational basis and tried to convince the other parties to accept their proposal.

Meanwhile, a senior leader of JUI-F, Abdul Jaleel Jan said that the real Opposition power was JUI-F as the party has the only leader having strong street power.

Jaleel Jan stated that the first gathering of PDM in Quetta on October 11 will realize the real power of the JUI-f to the other Opposition parties and also to the government.

Fazlur Rehman had the ability to lead the Opposition because his narrative and stance against the government was constant since the very first day, Jan concluded.