Underplaying the protest by Opposition alliance, Pakistan Democratic Movement, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that it has ‘almost lost and died its own death’. The cricketer-turned-politician added that PDM only wants a National Reconciliation Ordinance, which he will not grant, PTI reports.

The 11-party Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) held several rallies last year with one highlighting demand – the resignation of the Imran Khan government. The coalition led by Fazal-ur-Rehman has threatened to march on Islamabad next month if Khan’s cabinet doesn’t resign by January 31.

Formed in September, 2020, PDM wanted the government to hold early elections. It issued a warning that its lawmakers will resigam and make Parliament dysfunctional, PTI said. However, Prime Minister Khan rejected the PDM’s call to step down or call snap polls.

“The PDM has almost lost and died its own death, so it is no more a threat to the government,” he said at a meeting of his spokespersons on Monday.

He urged them to get hard on the Opposition leaders in press conferences and talk shows by highlighting their corruption.Khan once again said that the main purpose of the protest was to get concession from the government in their cases of corruption.

“PDM’s entire movement is aimed at getting an NRO, but I will not give them any relief,” he said.

The National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) is used as a synonym for concession in corruption cases in Pakistan’s political discourse.

Khan, the former cricket captain of Pakistan, came to power in 2018 by winning the general election but the PDM alleged that the election was rigged by the establishment to ensure his victory.