Coalition meeting: PPP, allies to stay ‘neutral’

By taking up a contempt of court notice against Malik Riaz, the court has become a party as well now, says participant

ISLAMABAD:

While the opposition came out in support of the chief justice over the Malik Riaz saga, allied parties of the coalition government have decided to maintain a ‘neutral posture’.

In a meeting of the leadership of coalition parties at the Presidency that lasted till late night on Wednesday, the participants took stock of the situation and its possible outcomes.

“The situation is grave but it is actually a matter between the two people. The best way for us is to keep a neutral posture,” a participant of the meeting told The Express Tribune.

On the other hand, another leader present at the meeting said, “Some leaders were of the view that by taking up a contempt of court notice against Malik Riaz, the court has become a party as well now. Otherwise, it would have been a matter between two individuals.”

The participant added that the meeting also discussed matters related to the next elections, the situation in Karachi and other issues pertaining to the component parties in the ruling alliance. The regional situation, especially matters related to ongoing tensions with the United States also came under discussion, and President Zardari briefed the participants about his recent interaction with world leaders, he added.

The meeting, jointly chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, was attended by leaders of all coalition partners.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2012.