PDM vs PPP: Bilawal Bhutto calls on Fazlur Rehman

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto met Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence in Islamabad to inquire about his health and discuss matters related to the current political situation., months after PPP parted ways with the Opposition alliance.

According to sources, PPP has made contact with the PDM  and the meeting is being considered as an ice-breaker between the two sides by political experts.

During the meeting both leaders expressed concern over the rising inflation in the country.

The PPP chairman said to Fazlur Rehman, “you are a senior politician; we have had ties for three generations now.”

Bilawal said that a joint strategy in Parliament on electronic voting machines (EVMs) and accountability laws could lead to success for the Opposition and only through Parliament could the government's efforts to bulldoze legislation be thwarted.

He further said that the recent defeats of the government in Parliament were major achievements of the Opposition.

Later, while talking to the media, on the question of a no-confidence motion against Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the matter did not come under discussion today. “We will hold consultations on it when the time comes. I will not make any decision outside Parliament.”

Responding to a question, Bilawal said that the Opposition had dealt the government significant damage through democratic traditions and “we are trying to proceed in a democratic manner and achieve success”.

The development comes amid close coordination among the Opposition parties in Parliament to adopt a joint strategy against the PTI government.

PPP had resigned from all the PDM offices in April 2021 saying that no party "should try and impose their will and dictation on any other political party".

The PDM had asked the PPP to explain why it sought support from the treasury benches for Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani's election to the post of Leader of the Opposition in Senate.

Since then multiple attempts have been made to bring the PPP back into the PDM fold but remained unsuccessful as the party refused to budge from its stance of rejecting the show-cause notice it had been issued.

The recent camaraderie between the PML-N and the PPP leadership taking a joint stance against the ruling party created an amiable atmosphere between the two parties.

According to sources, senior PPP leader Khursheed Shah, who had been released on bail, played an important role in bringing the PDM and his party closer.

Shah held meetings with PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, PDM Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the PPP leadership advised them to shun differences to get rid of “tyrant rulers”.

Sources added that he has taken a stand that public sentiments should be expressed inside and outside the Parliament.

Sources said that the top leadership of the PPP and the Opposition alliance have endorsed Khursheed Shah's views.

It is still to be seen whether the PPP will rejoin the PDM or not but the Bilawal-Fazl meeting is being given importance in the backdrop of the government’s defeats in the National Assembly.