PDM to meet today in Jati Umrah, discuss future strategy

LAHORE: Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is scheduled to hold a crucial meeting today on Friday to chalk the future course of action for the opposition alliance.

The meeting will be held at the Sharif family’s residence in Jati Umra. PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said all leaders of the opposition parties will participate in the meeting. She claimed PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto would attend the meeting virtually if weather conditions do not permit him to reach Lahore.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is against leaving parliament and has announced to contest the upcoming bypolls and Senate elections. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) are in favour of resigning from parliament in their bid to oust the incumbent government.

A meeting of the PPP’s Central Executive Committee meeting earlier this week decided to contest the upcoming elections and set aside the idea of resigning from parliament. After the CEC meeting, Bilawal told media that he would place the party decisions before the PDM to chalk out a future plan of action.

The PML-N, on the other hand, is in favour of leaving parliament and not becoming a part of by-elections. Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief and Maryam Nawaz met on Wednesday discussed a decision made by the PPP on resignations from the assemblies.

Yesterday, the PDM approved dates for demonstrations across the country under the second phase. A protest will be held in Bahawalpur on 3rd January under the auspices of PDM. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maryam Nawaz, and Yousuf Raza Gilani will lead the Bahawalpur protest.

There are reports that a demonstration will be held on 6th January in Bannu led by PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. The PDM will hold demonstrations in Malakand on 11th January, Loralai on 13th January, and Tharparkar on 16th January.

Protests will be held in Sargodha on 23rd January, Sialkot on 30th January, and Faisalabad on 31st January. The official announcement of new dates for the protests is expected after today’s meeting.