Opposition’s huddle: United we stand — for democracy

Parties lend much-needed support to govt facing Qadri’s dharna.

LAHORE:

Major opposition parties rallied behind the government on Wednesday in its duel with influential scholar Dr Tahirul Qadri, saying that they were united to defend the democratic process.

However, there was a catch: Led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), opposition groups spelt out a 10-point charter of demands, which include immediate announcement of an election schedule.

Nawaz presided over two high-level meetings at his residence in Jati Umra, Raiwind – one with his party and the other with the heads of major opposition groups – to discuss the political situation in the country as well as the Supreme Court’s order against the premier.

Opposition leaders vowed to resist any unconstitutional step – a reference that Pakistani politicians often use for military takeovers.

10-point declaration

Emerging from the huddle with other opposition leaders, Nawaz read out the 10 demands, which, according to him, had been unanimously drafted and would have to be fulfilled immediately.

Firstly, the opposition parties demanded the  announcement of an “unambiguous election schedule”, as well as a roadmap for the formation of a caretaker government well in time.

Secondly, they demanded that the consultative process for the interim government should be expanded, and other parties should be consulted.

The opposition parities expressed confidence in the Election Commission of Pakistan and asked the government to implement the Supreme Court’s orders on electoral reforms.

Thirdly, the opposition parties said transition in the country would be possible only through free and fair elections. Individuals should refrain from their “unconstitutional demands which will have negative impact on election”, they added.

The parties also expressed concern over the poor law and order situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Karachi.

PM’s reaction

Welcoming the opposition’s stand, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf assured the nation that the government was committed to holding free, fair and impartial elections as per the law and Constitution and warned that any obstacles created in its way would not be tolerated.

The prime minister also assured political parties that they would be consulted on all matters related to elections. He reiterated that the next elections would be held on time.



Meetings

The second meeting presided by Nawaz was attended by JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Munawar Hassan, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party’s Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Talal Bugti, Hasil Bazinjo, Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, Hamid Nasir Chatha, PML-F Punjab President Mustafa Khar, Saleem Saifullah, Haroon Akhtar and Professor Sajid Mir, among other leaders.

Terming Dr Qadri’s sit-in “a circus”, Nawaz said his demands are a true form of Mukmuka (underhand deal) among Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan, Dr Qadri and President Zardari.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman lashed out at Dr Qadri, saying he would not be able to pull off such a dharna without any backing.

Regarding the Supreme Court’s order calling for the arrest of the prime minister, Nawaz said he agreed with the court. However, according to the participants, the meeting unanimously vowed they would let the PPP complete its tenure despite the Supreme Court’s ruling.

According to sources, the meeting also discussed whether Dr Qadri was being backed by a local, foreigner or Zardari himself. The participants said the opposition parties unanimously agreed that the army was not interested in exploiting the Dr Qadri situation.

They said that following this viewpoint, the opposition parties have given the government the go-ahead for taking action against the dharna.

Caretaker and election-related matters

The opposition parties have provided Nawaz and opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan a mandate to initiate talks with Premier Ashraf regarding the caretaker set-up and to sign a contract with him. The content of the contract would be the appointment of a caretaker prime minister and four provincial chief ministers.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2013.