Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) – the eleven party anti-government alliance is now left in an intense predicament as parties differ on resignation issue.
Three major political parties of PDM namely Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) have grown serious differences on resignation issue.
JUI-F head Fazal-ur-Rehman who is also the President of PDM, has been an ardent advocate for resignations from the parliament in a final bid to overturn the Imran Khan led PTI government.
Fazal-ur-Rehman on multiple occasions has overwhelmingly supported the idea of submitting resignation from parliament as well as all four provincial assemblies as a final and absolute act of defiance.
PPP, PML-N wary of resignations
PPP – who is in power in Sindh has opposed the idea of resigning from national and provincial assemblies and has directed its MPAs and MNAs to refrain from following up on PMD’s orders regarding their resignations.
Senior party leaders have cautioned against any hasty moves.
PPP has said that any final decision on the possible resignation of elected party members is subjected to party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) approval.
Meanwhile, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif has also clarified that the party has not yet demanded resignations form any of its elected members.
In a statement, PML-N leader noted that any decision regarding resigning from assemblies will be made after December 13th.
PDM, COVID-19 and the political hullabaloo
PDM – the anti-government alliance was formed on On 20 September 2020 after an all parties conference that was hosted by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
The anti-government alliance has been primarily formed against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and the result of 2018 General Elections claiming an all-out election fraud resulting in Imran Khan becoming 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Despite the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, PDM has staged several public gatherings against the recommendations of national and international health experts.
PDM’s gatherings include;
- Gujranwala (16 October 2020)
- Karachi (18 October 2020)
- Quetta (25 October 2020)
- Peshawar (22 November 2020)
- Multan (30 November 2020)
PDM’s is scheduled to hold anti-government public power show in Lahore on December 13th this Sunday.
