As the joint opposition dials up on its anti-government campaign, Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) chief Pir Pagara has said that his party and the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) share common ground on key issues concerning Sindh and the federal government.
He stressed that upholding the Constitution was vital to strengthening the country and its institutions.
Similarly, parties affiliated with TTAP – the grand anti-government alliance – endorsed GDA's stance against the construction of six new canals on the Indus River, terming the project a matter of national survival and vowing to oppose it.
The remarks came during a press briefing at Raja House on Saturday following a meeting between TTAP leaders and Pir Pagara-led GDA representatives.
Earlier, a TTAP delegation – including Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Sardar Latif Khosa, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Nasir Shirazi, Hamid Raza, Sajid Tareen, Akhunzada Hussain and Haleem Adil Sheikh - met with GDA leaders at Raja House.
The GDA delegation comprised Pir Pagara, Syed Sadruddin Shah Rashdi, Dr Safdar Abbasi, Dr Fehmida Mirza, Liaquat Jatoi, Syed Zain Shah, Sardar Abdul Rahim, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, Syed Muhammad Rashid Shah, Irfanullah Marwat, Moazzam Abbasi, Saira Bano, Barrister Husnain Mirza and Husam Mirza.
Speaking to the media, Syed Sadruddin Shah Rashdi expressed gratitude to TTAP leaders for their visit, noting that Pir Pagara acknowledged their alignment on issues of Sindh and the federation.
He said discussions covered the 26th Amendment, the PECA Act and the Indus canal projects, with both sides sharing common concerns. He stressed that national security and constitutional supremacy were prerequisites for democracy and public welfare.
Rashdi said that both sides found common ground on several issues. Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan has planned a grand meeting in Islamabad on February 25-26, inviting the GDA to attend. The GDA will determine its participation after internal consultations.
Former National Assembly speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza said that the meeting was not about individuals but national concerns. She criticised the 26th Amendment, the PECA Act, and the Indus Canal construction as draconian measures, calling for a unified struggle.
She warned that water scarcity was not just an issue for Sindh but threatened Balochistan's survival as well. She also condemned decisions being made outside the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
Both parties agreed to form committees to address these challenges.
Pir Pagara welcomed the leaders of Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan, stressing that the Constitution was the country's foundation. He reiterated that the current Parliament was unrepresentative and illegitimate, which is why GDA members, despite being elected, have not taken the oath.
He maintained that true power should rest with the people's genuine representatives.
Dr Safdar Abbasi described the meeting as a positive development, highlighting that both sides align on many issues.
Echoing Pagara, he argued that the current parliament lacked legitimacy and rejected both the
26th Amendment and the PECA Act.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ