ISLAMABAD: Heads of constituents of the opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Monday directed the coalition’s steering committee to propose a strategy to challenge the controversial bills before the Supreme Court and finalize the date for the anti-government long march. Gave. Islamabad.
The PDM leadership has directed former Supreme Court Bar Association president and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) leader Kamran Mortaza and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) deputy general secretary Ataullah Tarar to seek legal advice. . Complete requirements for challenging experts and controversial bills that the government wanted to be approved during a joint sitting of the Parliament.
According to an official announcement made by the PDM after the meeting, the opposition coalition leaders were considering challenging bills related to the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections, reducing the powers of the State Bank of Pakistan and the bills . Demand to amend the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO)
The meeting of the PDM chiefs was chaired by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the coalition’s president and also attended via video link by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif.
Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) chief Aftab Sherpao, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) president Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Balochistan National Party’s own faction chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal also attended the virtual meeting.
It was decided that the Steering Committee meeting of the PDM would be held on November 22 and its recommendations would be finalised.
After this, they will be presented to the party chiefs for approval in the meeting to be held on November 23.
Meeting participants expressed concern over reports that state institutions were “forcing” government allies to vote for controversial bills proposed by the government.
“The PDM does not approve of such interference by state institutions and considers such an act as a violation of the Constitution,” the statement issued after the PDM meeting said. The PDM leaders warned the state institutions to stay within their constitutional limits and “not test the patience of the people”.
Published in Dawn, November 16, 2021