Fazl fails to win over Sharif

MMA chief says PML-N will consult with Shehbaz over the issues

LAHORE:

Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s efforts to try to form an opposition alliance on Sunday met with cold-shouldered response from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after its supremo Nawaz Sharif refused to commit to the opposition-planned all-party conference (APC).

Maulana Fazl has been trying to convene the APC as a first step towards carving out an alliance on the minimum possible common agenda. However, he fails to give a final date (and venue) for the purpose because the deposed prime minister has so far shown his unwillingness to participate in the moot.

The MMA chief landed in the provincial metropolises in an effort to try to personally convince the deposed prime minister to announce his participation at the planned moot, as without his presence the MPC may fail to make the required political impact.



However, despite a two-hour-long conversation between the two leaders at Sharif’s Jati Umra residence, the PML-N supremo remained non-committal and told the Maulana that more intra-party consultations were required before he can give a response regarding his participation.

The PML-N had so far committed sending only a Raja Zafarul Haq-led delegation to the opposition’s conference.

“The PML-N will formally decide its future strategy for the upcoming all-party conference after consultation with party president Shehbaz Sharif,” he told the media while addressing a news conference.

“Regarding the proposed date and formation of a management committee of the APC, the party intended to seek advice from Shehbaz on Sunday, but his family was refused weekly meeting with him by NAB,” the MMA chief added.

He said that the party would now seek his advice in parliament on Monday and added that though the party had yet to make its decision of how it intends to proceed in the APC, there was a consensus among all opposition parties that the APC was the need of the hour.

He dispelled the rumours of differences between Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif. Regarding the recent statements of Asif Ali Zardari, he said those were political gimmickries for the media – and nothing else.



Fazl said that the purpose of the APC was not to topple the government but to debate on issues of national importance such as prices hike, rupee depreciation and inflation that were troubling the lives of commoners.

He added in addition to those, several other issues were discussed during the meeting with Sharif and the PML-N leadership. “We don’t want the APC to be a mere formality,” adding, “We want this APC to be a purposeful meeting.”

He also rejected the government’s clarification on an Israeli planes arrival in Pakistan. He said the landing of the plane was confirmed by the Government of Oman.

He said the purpose of Israel’s delegation of coming to Pakistan was to explore the possibility of opening diplomatic channels that ultimately led to the recognition of the state of Israel. “In return, it will offer weapons deal, lucrative financial assistance to Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, the PML-N called a parliamentary meeting at the parliamentary boardroom where the party is expected to make important decision regarding the APC on Monday.

According to Marriyum Aurangzeb, the all-party conference will be on the agenda item of the PML-N parliamentary meeting.

She said, in addition, Saudi loan facility and strings attached with it, government’s plan to mediate in the Yemen crisis, gas & electricity price hike and assembly session business would also be discussed.

She said in case of Shehbaz Sharif’s late arrival late in the federal capital due to his court hearing, then the parliamentary meeting would be presided over by other senior party members.