Opposition talks: Nawaz invites party leaders to discuss SC order

Heads of several parties to gather at Raiwind; sources say no one from PML-N will demand PM Ashraf’s arrest.

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE:

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif called a high-level meeting of opposition leaders at his Raiwind residence on Tuesday to discuss the rapidly evolving political situation in light of the Supreme Court’s order to arrest Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

The PML-N chief extended the invitation to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Hasil Bazinjo, PkMAP’s Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Talal Bugti, JI chief Syed Munawar Hassan, PML-Likeminded leader Salim Saifullah Khan, Hamid Nasir Chatha and Aftab Sherpao, according to Nawaz’s political secretary, Dr Asif Kirmani.

Sources said the party had also called its senior leadership to attend the meeting, where they will later issue a joint declaration on the opposition parties’ behalf. Besides this, Nawaz also presided over the PML-N’s consultative meeting on Tuesday to debate several issues.

SC orders to arrest PM Ashraf

According to sources, the party has been mysteriously quiet on the Supreme Court’s order in the rental power case.

A source told The Express Tribune the party’s position is between the devil and the deep blue sea for many reasons. “It wants a caretaker government set up with the mutual consultation of the Pakistan Peoples Party and its allies and it would have to be extra careful while issuing any statements against PM Ashraf,” said the source, adding that no one belonging to the PML-N would demand his arrest.

Sources added that PML-N members thought Premier Ashraf’s presence in office was inevitable for the political setup and the party could not afford to rub PPP the wrong way.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, who also attended the meeting, said that although the ruling was in accordance with the law, it had to question the timing of the judgment. He said the party had convened a meeting of its core committee today to discuss the repercussions and future strategy of the party. He believed Premier Ashraf was here to stay as there were a lot of legal procedures involved.



Caretaker govt set up

According to another source, an election or caretaker set up before schedule was not suitable for the PML-N as substantial party work was pending, including the inauguration of more development works in Punjab. The party also has to announce its recommendations for the caretaker set up.

They claimed that the PPP and the PML-N had agreed to form the set-up at the centre and in all the provinces after the expiration of the National Assembly and provincial assemblies’ tenures.

Dr Qadri’s sit-in

Sources said the PML-N was monitoring Dr Qadri’s sit-in, while the Punjab government had demanded the federal government to rid Islamabad of his supporters. They said the sit-in would be further discussed with all political parties.  However, Senator Pervaiz Rashid said the religious scholar had blatantly violated the Constitution by demanding the dissolution of assemblies and the disbandment of the Election Commission of Pakistan. He reiterated that the government should ensure the restoration of the government’s writ in the capital.

Fazlur Rehman, Nawaz to meet

Meanwhile, JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman and Nawaz have scheduled a meeting in the next 24 to 48 hours to discuss the political scenario. A senior JUI leader told The Express Tribute that Fazl contacted Nawaz on Tuesday and they agreed to hold talks. The political scenario will be discussed, including the imposition of Governor’s Rule in Balochistan and the overall law and order situation in Pakistan.

It was learnt that the leaders expressed their apprehension over Dr Qadri’s long march.

“Both leaders agreed to support the continuation of the democratic process and hold the general elections well in time without disruption,” the JUI leader claimed. (with additional reporting by Peer Muhammad)

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2013.