PDM to decide timing of no-confidence move against PM: Bilawal

LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that it is now prerogative of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to decide on the timing of a no-confidence move in the days ahead.
Addressing a joint presser with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shahbaz after visiting the latter’s residence in Model Town on Sunday, Bilawal said, “Whatever decision we will make, will be reached through the consensus of the Pakistan Democratic Movement with the ultimate aim to provide relief to the masses.”
He said that the people are battling inflation and joblessness only because of the reason that an incompetent and ineligible government has been imposed on them. The PDM, Bilawal said, is of the view that such issues will be resolved only after the masses are able to elect their true representatives.
“We are planning to take to the streets as well but we don’t want to leave Parliament either as it would allow the puppets to be at the helm of affairs.”
To a question regarding the vote of confidence, the PPP chairman said that it was “the Premier’s inner fear [of losing his lawmakers] that he opted for a vote of confidence”.
Hinting at a joint candidate for Senate chairman, Bilawal said, “We will fight the election jointly.”
On the next steps for the PDM, he said, “Maulana Fazlur Rehman will decide the next course of action… I’ve the task of mobilisation and you will know about our future measures.” He further said, “Through Yousuf Raza Gilani’s Senate victory, we proved that we have defeated the government and the Parliament is with us.” He hoped that the PDM would make strategic decisions with the same consensus in the days to come.
Bilawal further said, “There’s also a controversy that there were more votes cast during the confidence vote than the number of the total parliamentarians and it should be investigated.”
Speaking on the occasion, Hamza said that masses buried the ‘fake tabdeeli’ through their votes in Daska, Naushera and Sindh by-elections. “The nation has seen how the GDP, which was at 5.8 percent during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure, was pinned down,” he claimed. He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been unable to do anything other than to resort to the politics of revenge.
Earlier, the PPP chairman accompanied by senior party leaders including former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Qamar Zaman and others called on Hamza Shahbaz. The meeting discussed the country’s overall political situation and the upcoming elections of Senate chairman and deputy chairman.
Sources privy to the development said that Bilawal appreciated Hamza’s perseverance while being in jail. He extended every possible support to the PML-N in Punjab. – TLTP