October 16th, 2020
By Munizae Jahangir
LAHORE
The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of 11 opposition parties held its first grand rally in Gujranwala today. But while it touted itself as a unified front for all political stakeholders opposing the current government and its backers in the establishment, a prominent member of its alliance was not present.
In an unexpected move, Mohsin Dawar, Member National Assembly from North Waziristan Ex-Fata who has been a part of the opposition’s anti-government alliance from day one was not invited to today’s jalsa.
In an exclusive interview with Voicepk.net’s executive editor Munizae Jahangir, Dawar stated that “I have been and will remain a part of the opposition’s alliance despite this ‘minor’ issue. As far as the question of ‘why I was not invited is concerned’ the main hosts of the rally are in a better position to answer that question.”
It should be noted that out of the 11 political parties which make up the PDM only Moshin Dawar was left out.
Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has invited Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement the PTM leader to the 18th October rally which is to be hosted by the PPP.
Sources tell voicepk.net that it was JUI-F leader Fazlur-Rehman who was opposed to inviting the PTM leaders to the first PDM rally. JUI-F contests elections from areas like former FATA, where PTM is now fast gaining popularity. In the past too, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman has accused the establishment of cobbling together the PTM and has in various interviews alleged that PTM is supported by the establishment to counter JUI-F’s influence in the Pashtun belt.
Dawar asserted that although he was not invited to the PDM rally, he did not want to speak-up against the opposition alliance because, “despite its weaknesses, the formation of PDM remains a step in the right direction and he remains a representative of the PTM.”