PPP, PML-N discuss military courts extension

Opposition parties agree to give govt tough time on mini-budget

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have decided to hold further discussions on matter pertaining to extension of military courts.

The decision was taken in a meeting between PML-N president and opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif and PPP leaders Khursheed Shah and Naveed Qamar on Tuesday.

While talking to media after the meeting, Shehbaz expressed satisfaction on rejection of petition against his appointment as PAC chairman while Qamar said as per the constitution, courts should not meddle in the affairs of parliament. “The constitution clearly spells out the rules of business for all institutions and everyone must respect that,” he said.



The PML-N president further said the meeting has decided to take up a mutual decision on the matter. “We will support each other on all affairs pertaining to mini budget,” he said lamenting the government was in a bid to announce budget for the third time in six months.

Meanwhile, PPP senior leader Khurshid Shah said the opposition will raise questions and definitely express its reservations over the budget. He further said the speaker had not made any appeal against the protest while the government is asking for alms from around the world.

“In childhood, we used to hear about tales of beggars but the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has set new records,” he said.

Furthermore, Shehbaz also presided over a consultation meeting of senior parliamentary leaders of the opposition on Tuesday, which decided to fully oppose anti-public steps taken by the PTI government.

According to PML-N Spokesperson Marriyam Aurangzeb, the meeting expressed reservations regarding the health of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and prayers were held for his early recovery. She said the overall political situation of the country, the Sahiwal tragedy, mini-budget and future strategy were examined.

“Consensus was reached to oppose all anti-public steps taken by the government,” Marriyum said while expressing reservations over the government’s efforts to protect suspects involved in the Sahiwal tragedy.  It was also decided the joint opposition will extend full support to the heirs of the deceased.

Meanwhile, participants of the meeting said a new storm of inflation will be unleashed on the public with the mini-budget.  They said due to the ineligibility of the government, price of the country’s economic destruction was being paid by the people.