PDM announces long march in last week of January

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) failed to agree on a final date for the long march to Islamabad and instead decided to hold in the last week of January.

A meeting of the steering committee of the opposition-led alliance was held in the federal capital chaired by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Briefed media about the decisions taken in the meeting, spokesman Mian Iftikhar along with PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said the long march will be held in the last week of January and opposition will contact people from different walks of life including traders, doctors, lawyers, teachers and farmers.

He said that rally at Minar-e-Pakistan ground will be held on December 13 at any cost even if the venue is turned into a dam. He alleged that the government has started arresting their workers and even DJ butt has also been taken into custody. He said that the government will definitely fail in its purpose as witnessed in Multan. The next schedule will be announced at a meeting in Lahore.

He alleged that the government is taking all actions to stop the Lahore rally which will be held in any case. “This government is a product of rigging, we have neither accepted nor will accept in the future, all institutions should stay and work within their limits,” said the ANP leader.

Regarding the threat to the rally, he said that the threat alert was also issued in Peshawar, Quetta, they issue their own alerts, and no one can harm Rana Sanaullah. Conventions are also planned with people of all schools of thought. We will increase the tempo before the long march.

Earlier Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had once again accused the establishment of backing the government and said that it has become fake government’s protector.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said that the country has no democracy but dictatorship and the government was not the representative of the people.

While talking about the PDM rally in Lahore, the JUI-F reiterated that the rally will be held in any case. He said that despite all the rumours, all parties are on the same page and the stage of resignations from assemblies will follow soon.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman claimed that on one hand, the government said it will not stop the rally but the Punjab government has watered the ground of Minar-e-Pakistan. He vowed that the rally will be held at any cost. “We have already announced our decisions only yesterday. December 13 will be the historic day of Lahore,” he added.