Staff Reporter
Islamabad
After hours of discussion over ways to overthrow the “selected” government, opposition parties at the PPP hosted multi-party conference on Sunday demanded the “immediate” resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
According to a 26-point resolution passed by the multiparty conference, the forum is named Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — an “alliance structure which will lead and guide nationwide protests against the anti-public and anti-nation government in a disciplined and integrated manner”. The resolution, read out by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at a press conference held after multiparty
conference late on Sunday evening, stated that the current government has been granted “fake stability by the same establishment” that interfered with the elections to bring the incumbent rulers to power. It expressed “extreme concern” over the increasing interference of the establishment in internal affairs of the country and regarded it as a “danger to the nation’s stability and institutions”.
The forum also demanded that elections be held again in a transparent manner and that electoral reforms should be passed in order to ensure free and fair polls. Terming the Parliament a “rubber stamp”, the PDM declared that the opposition will not cooperate with the government in the legislative process.
PDM also agreed upon a six-point action plan to depose the incumbent government, which would be implemented in phases. In the first phase that starts in October, opposition parties will hold joint rallies in all four provinces.
The second phase will begin in December of this year, during which the opposition will hold “huge public demonstrations” across the country. In January next year, the opposition will set out on a “decisive long march” towards Islamabad.
The opposition will also enlist lawyers, traders, farmers, students, media as well as members of the civil society in its movement. In order to oust the government, opposition parties will use “every legal and constitutional option in and out of parliament, which include moving no-confidence motions and collective resignations from assemblies at an appropriate time,” the resolution states.
Responding to questions during the press conference, PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the PDM wants a “non-political establishment” as the Constitution does not allow the establishment to be involved in political matters of the country. He said that all the options listed in PDM’s action plan and joint resolution are constitutional and legal, including protests and demand for resignation.
“The selected government has ruined the common man’s life with record-high inflation, unemployment, and taxes […] we demand that the prices of flour, sugar, ghee, electricity and gas be immediately brought down.” Due to the “selected” government’s failed policies, the crumbling economy is posing a serious danger to the country’s atomic power and sovereignty, said Fazl.
“The 1973 Constitution, the 18th Amendment and the current National Finance Commission award are a reflection of the nation’s united viewpoint and we will fight to guard these from any attack and will protect our provincial autonomy. No compromise will be made on this.”
He said that the opposition rejects the “nefarious intentions” of introducing a presidential system in the country.
“The selected government is responsible for the fall of Kashmir,” Fazl said, alleging that India’s move to annex Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir was made “with the incumbent government’s support”.
The APC expressed grave concerns over the “complete failure” of the government’s policy regarding Afghanistan, said the JUI-F chief.
He said that the meeting condemns “unprecedented” gags on the media and censorship. It demands that Editor-in-Chief Jang and Geo Media Group Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman be released along with other media persons.
Fazlur Rehman said: “The huddle also condemned the nefarious intention to abolish local bodies in Punjab, introduce a presidential system in the country and cut the budget for higher education.”
