edit in Pakistan Today, Dec 8, 2020
Today the top leadership of the PDM meets to consider its strategy after the December 13 rally. The address to PML-N’s media team by former PM Nawaz Sharif and PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz was meant to prepare party activists for the struggle ahead.
Ms Maryam Nawaz again hinted at PDM parliamentarians tendering resignations en masse. The decision will only be taken if other parties in the alliance also agree to the move. Another important PPP leader maintained that even resignations by over 100 MNAs would force the government to hold general elections instead of going for disputed by-elections. This shows that PDM could call on its MNAs alone to resign not requiring this from its provincial assembly members as was done by the PTI in 2014. Another proposal is to march on Islamabad and then hold a prolonged sit-in. Presumably the ongoing nearly two week long dharna by Indian formers outside New Delhi has inspired some of the PDM components. There has also been talk about a ‘jail bharo movement’ in PDM’s ranks
Today marks exactly the beginning of the third month of PDM agitation. Those who matter need to realize the dangerous implications of a prolonged and increasingly heightened confrontation in the country. On Monday the NCOC was told that the national positivity rate had been recorded at 9.71 per cent as Covid-19 cases across the country continue to soar. Within 24 hours 3,795 cases had been reported in the country— the highest since July 2 with thirty seven mortalities from the virus in the same period. The national economy is already in bad shape as shown among other indicators by the number of return filers declining by 23pc for the tax year 2020. The increase this year in cross LoC hostilities reveals increased Indian aggressiveness. PTI government has repeatedly insisted that it will not enter into a dialogue on an NRO which it claims is all that the opposition wants despite vehement denials by the latter. The situation on all the three fronts-health, economy and security- could worsen if the opposition is forced into further confrontation. A way out needs to be found to resolve the issues raised by the opposition through talks.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/12/07/opposition-should-be-brought-to-negotiating-table/
Opposition should be brought to negotiating table
edit in Pakistan Today, Dec 8, 2020
Today the top leadership of the PDM meets to consider its strategy after the December 13 rally. The address to PML-N’s media team by former PM Nawaz Sharif and PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz was meant to prepare party activists for the struggle ahead.
Ms Maryam Nawaz again hinted at PDM parliamentarians tendering resignations en masse. The decision will only be taken if other parties in the alliance also agree to the move. Another important PPP leader maintained that even resignations by over 100 MNAs would force the government to hold general elections instead of going for disputed by-elections. This shows that PDM could call on its MNAs alone to resign not requiring this from its provincial assembly members as was done by the PTI in 2014. Another proposal is to march on Islamabad and then hold a prolonged sit-in. Presumably the ongoing nearly two week long dharna by Indian formers outside New Delhi has inspired some of the PDM components. There has also been talk about a ‘jail bharo movement’ in PDM’s ranks
Today marks exactly the beginning of the third month of PDM agitation. Those who matter need to realize the dangerous implications of a prolonged and increasingly heightened confrontation in the country. On Monday the NCOC was told that the national positivity rate had been recorded at 9.71 per cent as Covid-19 cases across the country continue to soar. Within 24 hours 3,795 cases had been reported in the country— the highest since July 2 with thirty seven mortalities from the virus in the same period. The national economy is already in bad shape as shown among other indicators by the number of return filers declining by 23pc for the tax year 2020. The increase this year in cross LoC hostilities reveals increased Indian aggressiveness. PTI government has repeatedly insisted that it will not enter into a dialogue on an NRO which it claims is all that the opposition wants despite vehement denials by the latter. The situation on all the three fronts-health, economy and security- could worsen if the opposition is forced into further confrontation. A way out needs to be found to resolve the issues raised by the opposition through talks.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/12/07/opposition-should-be-brought-to-negotiating-table/
Published in Pak Media comment and Pakistan