Opposition confused? Bilawal plans February protest in Islamabad, Maulana in March

The season of ‘the long march’ is back on in Pakistani politics. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday announced that he will lead a “long march” against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government from Karachi to Islamabad on February 27.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Bilawal said that the nation wants to get rid of the “selected” government and a transparent election is the only solution.

Bilawal lashed out at the government and said that their “intentions are clear to get it approved by force” in Parliament.

Terming the “mini-budget” as an “anti-state bill”, the PPP chairman said that we will protest in front of the Parliament House on the day voting is held.

Contrary to the PPP, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is determined to hold a long march on Pakistan Day, March 23.

The Opposition alliance pledged to reach Islamabad on March 23 and warned the authorities against any attempt to use force to prevent the marchers from entering the federal capital. The announcement was made by Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, president of PDM, in December 2021.

While talking to the media and PPP’s former alliance with the Opposition’s PDM, Bilawal said that PPP is not a part of PDM anymore.

“Now it is up to them whether they resign from parliament or not,” he said, adding, “PDM has not consulted with us on its long march against PTI.”

Reportedly, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz is yet to decide whether she will be marching along with Maulana or not.