ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) announced on Tuesday that the long march scheduled for March 26 has been postponed as opposition parties failed to reach consensus on resignation’s matter.
Talking to media after a six-hour long meeting with leaders of the opposition, PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that nine parties of the alliance are ready to tender resignations during the long march but the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had reservations in this regard.
He said that the PPP had sought time to take decision about resignations, adding that the long march should be considered postponed until the PPP submits its response.
The PDM chief then left the press conference after his short media talk, which was later taken up by PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz Sharif and PPP’s Senator Yousaf Raza Gillani.
Maryam while responding to questions denied the reports that PPP’s co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, during the meeting, remarked that the resignations will be handed over to Nawaz Sharif when he will come to Pakistan.
The PML-N’s bigwig said that the PPP leader had simply said that Nawaz Sharif should return to Pakistan for a joint struggle against the government.
Gillani said that his party will take a decision about resignations during a meeting of the Central Executive Committee, reminding that the same body had opposed quitting parliament in the first meeting.
However, the delay of the long march, which was seen as crucial in Pakistan’s politics, substantiate the reports of rift within the PDM, as Maulana Fazlur Rehman also looked disappointed in the presser.
Earlier today, it was reported that Asif Zardari while addressing the PDM meeting urged
rged the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, who is staying in London since long, to come back to Pakistan to join Opposition’s fight against the government, local media reported.
Zardari expressed it during a meeting of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which was also attended by Nawaz Sharif through video link. The meeting was held to discuss matters related to political situation in the country after the recent Senate polls, long march and resignations.
“If we all are out to fight, then we must all be prepared to go to jail,” the PPP leader, who was addressing the conference via video link, told Nawaz.
Zardari went on to say that the PML-N’s supreme leader should come to Pakistan along with Ishaq Dar, adding that “We will then fight together”.
Expressing reservations, he said that while the other opposition parties took part in the Senate electiosn but Dar did not come to even cast his vote.
Zardari said that they will hand over the resignations to Nawaz Sharif when he will come to Pakistan, local media reported citing sources.
PML-N’s vice president Maryam Nawaz, who was also present on the occasion, could not stop herself from giving response.
She said that her father’s life would be in danger under the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
“Does Zardari sahab guarantee my father’s life is not in danger?” she questioned.
She highlighted that Nawaz Sharif is attending the meeting via video link as Zardari is.
