Snubbed Fazl postpones APC

PML-N, PPP offer to send their second-tier leadership

ISLAMABAD : Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday postponed the much-hyped all-party conference (APC) after being snubbed by the main opposition parties.

The top leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had refused to attend the conference scheduled for Wednesday.

Instead they offered to send their second-tier leadership to the moot that was called to evolve a joint stand against the government.



However, a PML-N delegation led by its Chairman Raza Zafarul Haq called on the MMA chief at his residence in the federal capital and discussed issues related to the APC.

Haq suggested to the MMA chief to decide the terms of reference (ToRs) of the conference first.

Fazl, on the other hand, held the view that the top opposition leadership had to meet first before going for deciding the ToRs.

“The PML-N has given the suggestion to decide on the ToRs in order to devise effective strategy during the APC,” the Maulana said while addressing the news conference after the meeting.



He said all opposition parties were unanimous in devising a common strategy regarding the anti-government movement. “For a strong opposition alliance, basic rules of engagement must be formulated,” he added.

Talking on the occasion, the PML-N chairman dispelled the impression that the APC had failed due the refusal of the main opposition leadership to participate in it.

“The PML-N wants the opposition to come out against the government’s wrongdoings with full preparation,” he added.

Later, the MMA chief chaired a meeting of his party’s parliamentary party.