LAHORE/Gujranwala: Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that the leadership of the ruling alliance will unanimously decide when the next elections will be held.
He was talking to the media at his residence after condoling the death of his elder brother Sardar Mehmood Sadiq and reciting Fatiha to former Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq during his brief visit to Lahore on Monday. Maulana said that before deciding on the next elections, we have to see whether to let the country face a new wave of riots and troubles or to stabilize the declining economy to save the people from financial hardship. He said that the economic situation of the country has to be taken into consideration before deciding the elections. He said that during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, he had called for snap polls to revive the rapidly declining economy and when the PDM formed a coalition government last year, he immediately Elections were advised. But other parties wanted to stabilize the previously battered economy. Now, other than the IMF, alternative sources of financial assistance have opened up and a glimmer of hope has emerged for the improvement of the national economy.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-Fazl) Ameer told the media that whenever elections are held, it will be a unanimous decision of the PDM leadership. In response to a question, he said that there can be no talks with Imran Khan, he was against talks with Imran Khan in the past and is still against it. Regarding the ban on Tehreek-e-Insaaf, he said it is the job of the courts to do so, but if they do, it is a “good riddance”. Responding to a question about differences in the PDM, he said the alliance was not an electoral alliance, but would make seat adjustments at the local level in the upcoming elections. He added that a good working relationship has developed between the constituent parties.
Regarding the trial of political leaders and activists under the Army Act, he said that whenever anyone attacks the Army House and GHQ, the Army Act will come into play as it is also the law of the land and against its decisions. An appeal can also be made. He said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) also conducted long marches against inflation but not a single vessel was broken. He said that Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan never attacked military installations in its march and protest.
In response to a question, he said that the clear bias of the judiciary in favor of the political party is also visible to the common man. He said that we are well-wishers of the judiciary and want to improve its efficiency and impartiality. That is why we approached the court and protested in Islamabad in which a large number of people participated. He said that in a democracy, the will of the people should be respected and now the people have expressed serious reservations about the bias of the judiciary, which has become a question mark on its performance.
Earlier Maulana Fazlur Rehman along with his son Federal Minister of Communications Maulana Asadur Rehman met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at his Model Town residence and discussed the current political situation and other issues of mutual interest including the budget.
Meanwhile, Maulana Fazlur Rahman also visited Gujranwala and spoke to the media. He said that PDM is not against the judiciary but if any judge or general commits a mistake, he should be criticized.
He said that the IMF is no longer a financial institution and is playing a political role. He said that Imran Khan’s agenda is to destroy the country. He destroyed the country’s economy during his three-year rule.
JUIF chief said that friendly countries of Pakistan have come to save its economy. He claimed that China and Saudi Arabia are ready to help save Pakistan’s economy. He said that the value of Pakistani rupee is stabilizing after starting trade with Russia. He said that like in 2018, if there is rigging in the upcoming elections, PDM will not complain to the Indian army but to the Pakistani army.
