President urged to host 'grand debate'

Ali Haider Gilani, PPP's parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly, rejected PTI's proposal for a grand alliance against the ruling coalition.

Scoffing at the idea, Gilani stressed that the real remedy for the country's woes lies in a grand debate, not in shaky alliances.

"After the failure of the Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP), PTI's new alliance is set to meet the same fate," Gilani jibed.

He pointed out the irony of a "party splintered into seven factions" preaching about unity through alliances.

He said that PTI's confused politics of oscillating between desperation and solicitation was not the answer.

Moreover, Gilani criticised PTI's approach of seeking dialogue with the army, labelling it an open invitation for military meddling in politics.

He also praised JI emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman for his principled rejection of the alliance, commending his clear stance.

Reiterating the need for a grand debate, Gilani announced that the PPP was ready to host such a discussion. He urged President Asif Ali Zardari to invite all political parties to the President House for the purpose.

The PPP leader's statement follows PTI senior leader Asad Qaiser's announcement that incarcerated party founder Imran Khan had given the green light for forming a "grand opposition alliance" to unify all opposition parties to launch a robust anti-government movement.

Qaiser also declared PTI's support for Jamaat-e-Islami's (JI) sit-in against the recent hike in power bills.

However, JI emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has also dismissed the notion of joining PTI's proposed grand alliance.

He underscored that past alliances have often prioritised self-interests over the greater good.

Speaking to a private news channel, he clarified, "We will align with opposition parties on some issues and hold meetings with them, but we will not become part of any alliance."