PDM to table no-trust motion against the government

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) president Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced on Friday that the Opposition alliance has decided to move a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and would contact the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s allies in the Centre for this purpose.

“All parties in the PDM have agreed on bringing a no-confidence motion against these illegitimate rulers and contacting the government’s allies in this regard,” said Maulana.

“[We will ask government allies] to have mercy on this country and nation, considering their impoverished condition,” he added. “[We will tell them] that remaining an ally of such a government is not politically and economically beneficial for the country.”

When asked why the PDM announced the decision to bring about a no-confidence motion against the government without completing the “homework”, Fazl said that the Opposition should be allowed to make preparations first.

“The PDM has announced the no-confidence motion at this stage because we have a firm intention of doing so. Without preparations, we cannot give a date, so let us do our work,” he said.

Answering a question about the planned long march, he said that it will take place as per the schedule, while the PDM’s steering committee will chalk out a plan for this purpose.

When a reporter asked Fazl what the PDM will do if the government’s allied parties refuse to cooperate, he said: “In that case, we will hold talks with them once again and try to convince them.”

He added that the PDM will “not contact any PTI member,” adding that if they contact the anti-government alliance themselves, there could be any reason for that.

“We are neither going to bribe anyone nor lure them [to join us] by offering any seats [political incentives],” Fazl maintained.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif said that the citizens of Pakistan are protesting against inflation and the ensuing poverty.

“Who else would come forward to rid them of this tyrant government if not us?”

Reacting to PDM’s announcement of bringing about a no-confidence motion against the PTI government, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that the move will serve as a “victory for democracy”.

It is a victory for democracy that most opposition parties now agree to bring a no-confidence motion against the government. The PM has lost the confidence of the people, it is about time he lost the confidence of Parliament .

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) February 11, 2022

Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “It is a victory for democracy that most Opposition parties now agree to bring a no-confidence motion against the government. The PM has lost the confidence of the people, it is about time he lost the confidence of Parliament.”