Facing multiple threats: PM Ashraf to meet allies today
Sources say premier intends to discuss Dr Qadri’s sit-in, SC order for his arrest and the security situation.
According to sources, while inviting the allies for the meeting, the premier termed Qadri’s sit-in the ‘most serious threat’. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
In response to a turbulent political and security situation in the country, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has summoned a meeting of coalition parties today (Thursday).
Leaders from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)‚ Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)‚ Awami National Party (ANP)‚ Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and Balochistan National Party (BNP) will attend the meeting. Mehmood Khan Achakzai, head of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), is also expected to be in attendance.
Talking to The Express Tribune, officials at the Prime Minister House said Premier Ashraf intends to seek his allies’ final opinion regarding a range of issues, including Minhajul Quran International (MQI) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri’s sit-in, the Supreme Court’s orders for his arrest and the country’s overall security situation.
According to sources, while inviting the allies for the meeting, the premier termed Qadri’s sit-in the ‘most serious threat’. Terming the MQI chief’s demands unconstitutional and unrealistic, he observed that Parliament and the election commission could not be dissolved at “the whims of an institute, much less an individual.” The sources maintained, however, that PM Ashraf did think Qadri’s demands could be fulfilled within constitutional parameters.
Leaders of the allied parties have assured their support to strengthen the democracy and reiterated their resolve to support the government in completing its term. However, while talking to the prime minister, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain expressed reservations against Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira’s statement that the party did not take the government into confidence regarding his meeting with Qadri, according to sources. Shujaat claimed the meeting was held after taking President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Ashraf into confidence.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2013.
In response to a turbulent political and security situation in the country, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has summoned a meeting of coalition parties today (Thursday).
Leaders from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)‚ Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)‚ Awami National Party (ANP)‚ Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and Balochistan National Party (BNP) will attend the meeting. Mehmood Khan Achakzai, head of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), is also expected to be in attendance.
Talking to The Express Tribune, officials at the Prime Minister House said Premier Ashraf intends to seek his allies’ final opinion regarding a range of issues, including Minhajul Quran International (MQI) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri’s sit-in, the Supreme Court’s orders for his arrest and the country’s overall security situation.
According to sources, while inviting the allies for the meeting, the premier termed Qadri’s sit-in the ‘most serious threat’. Terming the MQI chief’s demands unconstitutional and unrealistic, he observed that Parliament and the election commission could not be dissolved at “the whims of an institute, much less an individual.” The sources maintained, however, that PM Ashraf did think Qadri’s demands could be fulfilled within constitutional parameters.
Leaders of the allied parties have assured their support to strengthen the democracy and reiterated their resolve to support the government in completing its term. However, while talking to the prime minister, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain expressed reservations against Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira’s statement that the party did not take the government into confidence regarding his meeting with Qadri, according to sources. Shujaat claimed the meeting was held after taking President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Ashraf into confidence.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2013.