PDM announces tabling no-confidence motion against PTI govt

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced on Friday that the opposition alliance had decided to move a no-confidence motion against the prime minister

He said the opposition alliance would contact the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government's allies in the centre for this purpose.

Talking to reporters alongside PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif after a meeting of the PDM's constituent parties in Lahore, Fazl said the alliance would approach the government's allied parties to get them on board so as to acquire a voting majority in the National Assembly to bring about a no-confidence motion to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He was flanked by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, and Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz, after holding a meeting of the PDM in Lahore. Other members of the anti-government alliance joined the meeting via video link.

The PDM chief said that all Opposition parties that were present during the meeting have decided nemine contradicente that this "illegal government should be sent packing." 

"We will first do our homework, so we cannot talk about the definite timeframe for this move," he said, adding that the government's allied parties should keep the plight of the masses in their mind and make a decision accordingly. 

"When it comes to politics, you have to have a big heart," he said. "We are political people, so we will make calculated decisions."

Answering a question, the PDM chief said that all the "homework" related to the no-confidence motion will be completed before the Opposition's planned long march, which is set to begin on Pakistan Day (March 25).

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.

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

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.