Pakistan
PDM announces fresh wave of protests from July 4
Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Saturday announced countrywide anti-government protest starting from July 4.
Following the PDM meeting, a press conference was arranged by the PDM in which the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) leader and PDM chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the protest wave would be launched on July 4 with a rally in Swat and rallies would also be held in Karachi and Islamabad.
Addressing the press conference, the JUI leader rejected the government's "one-sided" electoral reforms, which include the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs).
The PDM leader further added that it is an attempt of pre-poll rigging.
He said that it has been decided to take legal action against the corruption and unconstitutional actions of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.
The PDM, during the meeting, expressed concerns over the ongoing situation in the region. "Our government is not elected, and the government that does not have the backing of the people does not have the capability to face any challenge."
The PDM chief said the relevant officials overseeing the policies should brief the house over the developments in the Afghan peace process and other matters related to the process.
"Especially, the officials should inform the house on the speculations that Pakistan is offering airspaces to American planes," Fazl said, adding the parliament should be taken into confidence on these matters.
The PDM chief further added that that a legal team would be formed under the chairmanship of PML-N leader Azam Rafiq Tarar to take legal action.
"The PPP is not with the PDM. If they want to rejoin the PDM, we will wait for them," the JUI leader added.
"We demand that a joint sitting of parliament be convened on the situation in the region," PDM chief further added.
It is to be noted that the PDM meeting was attended by PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, Vice President Maryam Nawaz, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal, Aftab Sherpao, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Mir Kabir Shahi and Tahir Bazbujo.