PDM decides to support PPP’s long march to Islamabad: sources

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — the alliance of major opposition parties — has decided to support the proposed long march of PPP towards Islamabad to oust the PTI-led government, well-informed sources have revealed. 

The development comes a day after a meeting took place between JUI chief Fazlur Rehman and PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari. During the meeting, different options had been discussed for the success of the no-trust move against the prime minister, while the two leaders had also agreed to take estranged PTI leaders into confidence, sources had earlier said.

PML-N will welcome the convoys of the long march in Punjab while the JUI will do so in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sources added.

It has been decided that the activists of component parties of the PDM will welcome the participants of the long march in each city across the country. The opposition leaders will deliver their speeches while standing on top of containers, sources said, adding that no stage will be set up in any city during the march.

Upon arrival in Islamabad, there will be a mass public meeting during which the date for the no-trust motion is likely to be announced.

Neither the long march will enter the Red Zone nor the PPP will stage a sit-in in Islamabad, sources said.

Zardari, Fazl on same page

Zardari and  Fazl on Monday appeared to be on the same page regarding bringing a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Both leaders, in a meeting at Fazl’s Islamabad residence, had agreed on jointly formulating a political roadmap against the PTI-led government. Besides the no-trust move and various options to make it a success, they had also discussed the political situation in the country.

The meeting continued for about two hours, including one-on-one talks for half an hour. It was the first meeting between Zardari and Fazl after the PPP's departure from the PDM. Both avoided any interaction with the media after the meeting; however, the JUI had issued a joint statement after the meeting.

Sources said that Zardari had told Maulana Fazl that he should consult with all opposition parties on the issue of a no-confidence motion in order to get the support of the required number of MNAs to dislodge the government.