Opp leaders meet JUI-F, JI and QWP leaders; say the country is charting a disastrous path
ISLAMABAD:
Leaders of an alliance of opposition parties – Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) – met on Tuesday with leaders of three political parties – JUI-F, JI and QWP – to invite them to their upcoming national consultative conference scheduled for December 20-21.
In an emergency meeting called on December 10 following police action against PTI founder Imran Khan’s family members outside Adiala jail, the TTAP had decided to hold a conference to discuss the political climate, constitutional issues and restrictions on meetings with Imran.
The alliance had then also announced that it had invited opposition parties, bar councils and human rights organizations to the conference and on Tuesday, a TTAP delegation met JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, JI chief Liaquat Baloch and QWP chief Aftan Ahmed Khan Sherpao to invite them to the event.
A delegation including Asad Qaiser, Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Shehryar Khan Tareen, Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai and Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry met Fazl at his residence in Islamabad.
During the meeting, in-depth discussions were held on the country’s political situation, the supremacy of the Constitution, democratic stability and national unity, according to an official statement. There is, however, no word on the JUI-F’s response to the invitation.
Earlier, TTAP leaders had appealed to JI leaders in Islamabad. The opposition delegation included Asad Qaiser and Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, while the JI was represented by MP Ameer Liaqat Baloch, Mian Aslam, Nasrullah Randhawa and Zubair Safdar.
The two sides held in-depth discussions on the country’s political situation, democracy and the supremacy of the Constitution.
Addressing a joint press conference, Asad Qaiser said the JI was invited to the national conference because of its important role in politics. He said the direction the country is heading is dangerous for national interests.
Qaiser termed denial of meeting with Imran Khan as illegal and violation of court orders, adding that PTI is a responsible political party.
Liaqat Baloch hailed the opposition alliance and said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and the invitation to the national conference would be conveyed to the party chief.
He said Pakistan is deprived of basic human rights, the country is facing a severe economic crisis and the existing hybrid system has failed.
He added that despite the Prime Minister’s foreign visits, the ground realities remain unchanged and the common man is facing serious difficulties.
Baloch stressed that economic stability is not possible without political stability and the time is for unity among the opposition parties.
He also emphasized resolving relations with Afghanistan through dialogue, eliminating terrorism and ensuring peace in the region.
The delegation also met with the head of the QWP.
Asad Qaiser, speaking to the media alongside Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, said the conference scheduled for December 20-21 aims to deliberate on the deteriorating state of democracy in the country. He said the 1973 Constitution granted the people the right to vote, but today that right has effectively been taken away.
Sherpao accepted the invitation to the conference and said he would consult his party in this regard.
He said that political stability in Pakistan had ended and without political stability, the country could not progress. He urged all political parties to collectively play their role in getting the country out of the crisis.
Speaking on the occasion, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said that after the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments, discussions are now underway regarding a 28th constitutional amendment.
He said the 27th Amendment weakens the judiciary, while the proposed 28th Amendment could cause more harm to the country.
“All stakeholders are invited to the national conference, where the 28th constitutional amendment will also be discussed in detail,” he said.
