In an attempt to dispel the impression of a possible divide in the ranks of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqal insists that every party in the opposition alliance stood by its charter.
The rumour mill started churning after an interview of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in which he said that he was taken aback to hear PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif accusing the military leadership during a PDM rally Gujranwala on October 16.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Ahsan Iqbal said that conclusions should not be drawn from headlines, rather Bilawal’s interview should be seen in its complete context. “Every party stands by the PDM charter and have the liberty to put forward their opinions,” Iqbal said.
Nawaz Sharif, Iqbal said, was the most experienced leader and he knew the most about the power structure of this country. He added that three times former prime minister spoke in the light of his experiences and observations.
The senior PML-N leader said that all parties were fully committed to the PDM agenda and agreed to the demand for free and fair elections, respect for the vote and the country to be run in accordance to the Constitution.
Interestingly Iqbal dodged the direct question about Sharif’s allegations. “Nawaz Sharif’s speech should not be viewed from perspective of this statement only,” he said. When pressed further, he added Nawaz Sharif paid “rich tribute to the sacrifices of our jawans”.
Taking aim at Prime Minister Imran Khan, Iqbal said that the government should not speak on behalf of the army, adding that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was doing the biggest disserve to the armed forces by making them controversial. “Those [PTI] who made the armed forces controversial are tutoring us about the respect and sanctity of the armed forces.”
Iqbal also said that Prime Minister Imran should not call his tenure as the Riyasat-e-Madina, because the government was pursuing anti-people policies and it was more focused on victimising the opponents.
“In Imran Khan’s Riyast-e-Madina, 20 million people are pulled down the poverty line, gas and electricity bills are impossible to pay, protesting farmers are subjected to brutality, while mafias are let loose on the public to rob people with inflated prices of sugar, wheat and medicine,” he charged.
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