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By Web Desk — By Web Desk — The opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), rejecting the government’s request to postpone the protest on Pakistan Day, pledged on Tuesday to proceed with its planned protest against the price hike on March 23 but dropped the idea of moving a no-trust motion against the government in the parliament, considering the timing was inappropriate.
After presiding over a meeting of the heads of the component parties of the alliance, PDM President Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticized the government over its reported plan to seal the capital city on March 23 due to a military parade and the presence of foreign dignitaries, declaring categorically that they would still enter Islamabad.
PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz all attended the meeting via video link.
Maulana Fazalur Rehman said: “PDM will enter Islamabad, and they knew such a big march is due that day. Under which conspiracy did they make such recommendations?”
“As far as the parade is concerned, it takes place from morning to afternoon and we have to come in the afternoon, so there is no conflict,” he added.
According to media reports, the PDM meeting discussed strategy for the long march besides mulling the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
However, speaking to the media, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the senior vice-president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said that participants of the long march would “certainly” enter Islamabad on Pakistan Day and stage a sit-in at D-Chowk, located in front of the Parliament House building on Constitution Avenue.
No-Confidence Motion
When asked why the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan was dropped, Mr. Abbasi said such moves are always kept under wraps. In order for the no-confidence motion to be successful, he said, they would need at least 172 votes from the 342-member National Assembly, which they do not currently have.
Mr. Abbasi said they would move the motion when they were sure they had the support of 172 assembly members and that the ruling coalition was not supported by the establishment.
“We are hopeful that, considering the current situation in the country, the establishment will not support the ruling coalition. “The no-confidence move will succeed when the establishment does not interfere,” he said.
Maulana also seconded Abbasi saying that the vote of no confidence can only be successful if all parties remain united against the government.
