PDM parties seem to be confused, says Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

• Bilawal says PDM parties seem to be confused, adding that he does not wish any Opposition party to be confused in the parliament at least.
• Says there did not seem to be a clear-cut strategy in the PDM's meeting yesterday.
• Says political parties which are clear about their stance are in a better position to give tough time to govt.

CHARSADDA: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday said that the parties of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) seem to be in a state of confusion.

He said that the idea of forming the PDM was put forward by the PPP, however, neither the PPP nor the ANP attended the meeting of the PDM a day ago.

Bilawal was speaking to the media after visiting Wali Bagh in Charsadda along with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to offer condolences over the death of Begum Naseem Wali Khan.

"It seemed like the parties of the PDM are confused," said Bilawal. "Opposition parties should at least not get confused in the parliament."

He added that all those political parties which are clear about their political stance are in a better position to give a tough time to the PTI-led government. 

There did not seem to be a clear-cut strategy in the PDM's meeting yesterday, said Bilawal. 

'No point rejoining PDM in the absence of action plan'

Bilawal said that earlier, all the 10 parties of the PDM were supportive of an action plan set forth for the alliance, however, the action plan could not be implemented because there was no consensus among the parties. 

"Unless and until the action plan is brought back, there is no point rejoining the PDM, said Bilawal.

He said that if all Opposition parties collectively target PM Imran Khan's government, it would be better for all.

"All Opposition parties have the consensus that the people of Pakistan are suffering because of the incompetent government," said Bilawal. "We are facing historic poverty because of the economic policies of the government which are based on lies."

'PPP, ANP share political and ideological connection'

Speaking about the relationship of the PPP with ANP, he said that the two parties hold both political and ideological connection.

"We want a peaceful and progressive Pakistan," Bilawal said, adding that PPP's role in working towards the rights and self-determination of provinces will become part of history.

"We will stand before this ineligible, selected government like a wall and fight against it," he said. "Together with the ANP, we will work both inside and outside of the parliament. We want everyone to raise a voice against the government's upcoming budget."

Bilawal said that had the Opposition worked on the no-confidence motion, neither Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar nor PM Imran Khan would be in their offices.

Speaking on the occasion, Central Senior Vice-President of the ANP Ameer Haider Khan Hoti thanked the PPP leadership for consoling him in his hour of grief.

He said that the PPP and ANP had both been rivals and allies in politics, adding that whenever it came to the Constitution, the two parties worked together.

"Even under the current political scenario, both PPP and ANP have an important role to play, which they will continue while occupying the benches of the Opposition," Hoti said. 

'Will not waste time over' PPP, ANP: Fazl

A day ago, PDM President Maulana Fazlur Rehman had said that the PPP and ANP were not discussed during the alliance's meeting.

He said the PDM did not discuss the two parties as they are no longer a part of the alliance.

"They can still contact the PDM leadership and apprise them about their intentions. But it is not something that we will waste time over anymore during PDM meetings," he had said.

Meanwhile, taking over the presser, PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz had said her father, Nawaz Sharif, had taken the same position as the JUI-F chief.

PDM announces schedule of 'massive protests' against govt

Fazl said the PDM has decided to begin legal proceedings against the PTI-led government's "unlawful acts", for which, a legal team will be formed, with PML-N's Azam Nazeer Tarar as its convener and JUI-F's Kamran Murtaza as the co-convener.

He had said the alliance had decided a future course of action, and on July 4, a massive anti-government protest will be held in Swat, followed by another one in Karachi on July 29.

Thereafter, on the occasion of August 14, independence day, a massive protest will be held in Islamabad, with PDM showing solidarity to Kashmiris and Palestinians.

PML-N will also host a budget seminar soon to form a unified strategy during the government's budget session in the parliament, while the task to hold the event has been given to Shahbaz Sharif, the JUI-F chief said.