ISLAMABAD: The political battle began in the federal capital, on Sunday, as opposition leaders met at a five star hotel on the invitation of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for a much hyped multi-parties gathering to devise an anti-government strategy. The meeting resulted in a new alliance by the name of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and a three-phased anti-government "action plan" for the "restoration of the true democracy in the country".

The movement will be launched in October and consist of demanding Prime Minister Imran Khan's resignation, countrywide public meetings, demonstrations, rallies and protests in December and a "decisive long march" towards the federal capital in January, 2021.

While addressing the gathering, host and chairman of PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said:

"Establishment stole public mandate and instead installed a puppet government to govern over public [...] it's time opposition comes together with a new Charter of Democracy as our manifesto and protest not only in Lahore and Islamabad but also in the rural parts of the country, in Gawadar and Baluchistan, in Peshawar and [former] FATA, in Gilgit Baltistan, in Azad Kashmir and in other small cities."

While speaking to the media after concluding the eight-hour long meeting, key opposition leaders announced that they would use all political and democratic means, including no-confidence motions and en mass resignations from the parliament, to seek “the selected prime minister’s resignation and an end to the role of the establishment in politics”.

26-point declaration:

The JUI-F chief Maulana Fazal ur Rehman read out a 26-point declaration in the form of a resolution containing various demands by the opposition parties. These demands included:

“End of establishment’s interference in politics, new free and fair elections after formulation of election reforms with no role of armed forces and intelligence agencies, release of political prisoners, withdrawal of cases against journalists, implementation of the National Action Plan against terrorism, speeding up of the projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and across the board accountability under a new accountability law, and sacking of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa and a transparent investigation into the media report about his offshore businesses and properties”.

The resolution called for the accountability of politicians, bureaucrats, defense forces and judiciary under a 'uniform law' and demanded to put an end to the forced disappearances. Opposition parties also called for formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to document the country’s history since 1947 in the true perspective.

The JUI-F chief briefed the media that new opposition alliance will soon form a special committee to give final shape to their program under the action plan and announce dates for public meetings and protests. He said that the committee will review the Charter of Democracy signed by the PPP and PML-N in 2006.

The resolution also includes an option of opposition resigning from parliament to mount pressure on the government, however, there is no unanimous consensus on this. While JUI-F is strongly in favor of resigning, PML-N and PPP have some reservations.

The meeting, on Sunday, was attended by the heads and representatives of 12 opposition parties incuding PML-N, National Party (NP), Awami National Party (ANP), Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) and Jamiatul Hadees. However, Jamaat-i-Islaami had decided to distance itself from the gathering. Among other opposition leaders, who made it to the venue were Maryam Nawaz, Shahbaz Sharif, Maulana Fazl ur Rehman, Mehmood Achakzai, Mohsin Dawar, and Amir Haider Khan Hoti.

PML-N supremo and deposed premier Nawaz Sharif also made a come back to the national politics after almost a gap of two years and virtually addressed the meeting. Former president Asif Ali Zaradri also delivered an opening speech.

Both Nawaz and Zardari are currently facing major corruption and money laundering cases. Zardari is out on bail on medical grounds while Nawaz has non-bailable arrests out to his name.