Shehbaz rebuffs rumours of impasse in opp camp

Says all parties onboard for no-confidence motion

LAHORE:

Dismissing speculations of a deadlock in the opposition’s camp, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif made it clear that all parties were onboard for the no-confidence motion against the government.

Speaking to the media following his meeting with Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Akhtar Mengal, the opposition leader said that they were yet to decide on a number of issues, including the period the government should stay in power following the successful execution of the move.

Shehbaz said that as a political party, they would resolve their differences through dialogue with other stakeholders, and only when things were decided upon would they be able to give a timeline of events.

To a question about any support from the security establishment, the PML-N president said that the opposition had the support of 220 million people who are suffering at the hands of the incumbent regime, and this support was all they needed to successfully oust the government.

Earlier, the BNP-M chief reached Shehbaz’s residence in Model Town on the latter’s invitation.

Revealing details of the meeting, the opposition leader said that they discussed the political and economic situation in the country. He said that given the way the ruling party had brought the country to the brink of disaster, all parties in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had agreed to oust it through a vote of no-confidence.

He revealed that the motion would be tabled once the opposition completed its homework on the matter.
Shehbaz also revealed that their meeting discussed the current situation in Balochistan, saying that small provinces should be given their due rights and shares to realise the dream of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Mengal said that as part of the PDM, the BNP-M agreed to the decisions taken so far. He revealed that the meeting discussed the no-confidence motion, adding that they had held two to three meetings before on the same matter. “The opposition parties have done their homework on the future strategy.”

Regarding Balochistan, the political leader said that its issues should be resolved through dialogue. “Its issues are purely political and cannot be resolved through force.”

He blamed the federal government for the current situation in Balochistan. “I would not say that it is too late, but I must say that no more time must be wasted in addressing the issues of Balochistan,” he added.

Mengal pointed out that there was a growing sense of disappointment and despair among the people of the province. “The present situation is the direct outcome of injustices meted out to the province over the last 70 years.”

Read: No-confidence motion wish of 220m people: Shehbaz

Regarding the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), he said, “We need to get rid of this menace. Once the incumbent government is sent home and the next one is formed, the persistent issues will be resolved through a political process.”

He said, “The biggest issue of Balochistan is that of missing persons. If some are criminals, they should be tried in courts, while those who are innocent should be recovered and released.”

He termed “missing persons” Balochistan’s “major issue”.

He also thanked Shehbaz for inviting him to his residence, saying that the people would hear “good news soon”.