Fawad responds to PDM presser

Asks the opposition parties to focus on constructive activities instead of indulging in undue political rallies

ISLAMABAD:

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday asked the opposition parties to focus on constructive and positive activities instead of indulging in undue political rallies.

Reacting to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PMD)’s announcement with regard to rallies, the minister said in a statement that the opposition parties were confused, frustrated, and divided, besides their direction and intentions were in contradiction to each other’s point of view.

He said that one faction in the opposition alliance wanted to hold rallies, while the other one gave a statement of dialogue inside the parliament. He added that Shehbaz Sharif and Maulana Fazlur Rehman's point of views were in contradiction to each other.

The minister said a detailed briefing on Afghanistan would be arranged soon, adding that Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the Foreign Office had already given Pakistan's loud and clear stance over the issue of airbases.

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The minister said the opposition wanted an escape from the electoral reforms, which was the indicative of a contradiction in their position. The opposition did not want to talk with the government on electoral reforms but simultaneously it wanted electoral reforms, he said.

He asked JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman not to take revenge for his political deprivation from the democratic system. The minister said opponents of the electronic voting system wanted to promote and safeguard the rigged election system.

Chaudhry asked the opposition to focus on the upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), as its results would determine the political standing of all parties. He was of the view that the outcome of Saturday's sitting of the PDM was just protest rallies, speeches, and a press conference.