DNA

ISLAMABAD, DEC 11 – PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday ruled out dialogue with the government, adding that the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) will enter the “second phase” of its anti-government campaign after the next rally in Lahore on December 13.

“The time for dialogue [with the government] has long passed. When they talk about reconciliation, they do it out of fear,” he said.

“They are cowards who can’t face the people. They must be getting intelligence reports about the number of people gearing up to march to Islamabad,” he remarked.

He said that the “first phase” of the 11-party opposition alliance’s anti-government campaign has been successful, adding that the PDM would move forward with the “second phase” after December 13.

Bilawal made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Lahore alongside PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz. The PPP chairman had paid a visit to Maryam at her Jati Umra residence to offer condolences over the demise of her grandmother.

Speaking to the media, Bilawal said: “Prime Minister Imran Khan changes his stance every day. First he threatened us […] and now he’s saying I am ready for dialogue and ready to do anything […]. Let me tell him, that this is not how politics works.”

He said that instead of trying for dialogue, it was time for the premier to “realise the situation” and “hand in his resignation”.

Responding to a question about parties within the opposition alliance distancing themselves from PDM, he said: “Until the establishment’s involvement in politics is stopped […] no party from PDM will stand back.”

When asked about the decision for opposition lawmakers to submit their resignations from the provincial and national assemblies, he said that the PPP would discuss the matter during the meeting of its Central Executive Committee.

Bilawal added that all parties in PDM were democratic and they did not want to “create conditions which could benefit a third party”.

Meanwhile, Maryam claimed that “sitting ministers” were contacting the opposition, adding that she did not see it fit to acknowledge or respond to them.

Maryam said that PM Imran, who “kept saying for three years that he will not give an NRO”, is now contacting the party’s senior leadership “to sit down for talks” and solve issues in parliament “without resignations or a long march”.

“We don’t accept your request. Neither the nation nor the PDM will give you an NRO,” she said.