What may have seemed like an impossibility a few months ago is panning out to be a reality. The PPP and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) may be coming together for their proposed anti-government protests due to be held in the upcoming months. The PDM announced that it will hold its ‘mehngai march’ on Islamabad on March 23, while the PPP mentioned that its long march will be held on February 27. But both have invited ‘likeminded’ parties to join their respective marches.
On Friday, PPP-Parliamentarians Information Secretary Shazia Marri said that parties who were serious about resolving the issues faced by the people of Pakistan, including, inflation and rising unemployment, are welcome to join its anti-government protests. On the other hand, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif is all set to meet the PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week at the Parliament House to invite him to partake in the PDM’s long march. While no party officials have confirmed the meeting, the fact that it is said to be held during the National Assembly session convened by the government for the approval of the mini-budget can pose as a challenge to the ruling PTI.
The opposition parties have openly criticized the Finance Supplementary Bill 2021 – popularly known as the mini-budget – in the wake of the rising inflation in the country. The CPI recorded in December 2021 was over 12 percent, making it a consecutive month recording a double-digit inflation. Apart from its long march, the PPP has also announced setting up protest camps and holding token hunger strike outside the house during the NA session. The PDM, on the other hand, has categorically stated that it would oppose the passage of the bill. The passage of the finance as well as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) amendment bill is, however, a prerequisite for the revival of the $6 billion IMF funding programme.
In the wake of these developments as well as the option of the no-confidence motion at the disposal of the opposition against the incumbent government, it is safe to say that the ruling PTI will be caught in a tight spot. A spot that it had dug itself, owing to its economic policy failures. The coming months are going to be crucial for the country’s political system. They will after all determine which way the wind is blowing.
