'Not Going To Happen': Zardari Rejects PDM, But PPP Prepares Its Own Long March For February

Former president and PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari has turned down the possibility of joining the opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), while reaffirming his party’s commitment to oppose the “incompetent government.” Zardari was speaking to journalists after attending his hearing at an Islamabad accountability court, when he was asked about the possibility of the PPP joining the opposition alliance led by JUI-F’s Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman.

“I don’t think that it will happen,” the former president responded. On the prospects for PDM’s long march announced for the 23rd of March this year, Zardari opined that the JUI-F chief had led a march to the federal capital previously as well, without being able to bring down the government.

The PPP had earlier announced its own march to the capital, scheduled for the 27th of February. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has announced that he will bring "like-minded opposition parties" on board for this march. He called for a joint struggle against the current government.

Meanwhile, the parties involved in PDM have announced preparations for their own “anti-inflation” march, with provincial chapters of the various parties holding meetings to rally their supporters and resources. In Punjab, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif will oversee such preparations, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman will hold a meeting in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) President Mahmood Khan Achakzai will lead in Balochistan and JUI-P President Shah Owais Noorani will lead from Sindh.