Opposition APC announced to form an alliance 'Pakistan Democratic Movement'

 Protest movement against government to start in October-long march and  sit-in in January 2021

The All Parties Conference (APC) of 11 opposition parties in Islamabad today announced to form an alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). The APC also decided to launch anti-government protest movement from October 2020. 

The opposition mott also demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The APC issued joint declaration after hours long deliberation to decide the strategy against PTI government. 

JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman read out the 26 point resolution after the APC in a press conference.  According to the 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 further 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.

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Terming the Parliament a "rubber stamp", the PDM declared that the opposition will not cooperate with the government in the legislative process.

It also demanded that a new law of accountability be passed in the country that is in accordance with the Supreme Court's verdict and recommendations from Human Rights Watch and Council of Islamic Ideology and would hold everyone accountable, including bureaucrats, lawmakers, judicial and army officials. In particular, the PDM resolution said that claims made in a recent news report regarding retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa's assets and family business should be probed. The forum said that Bajwa should be removed as the chairman of CPEC Authority until the investigation is completed.

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 lawmaker told reporters that PDM will start working from tomorrow and will continue to work towards its goal of seeing "real democracy" in Pakistan.

                                               Rukhsana Manzoor Deputy Editor