All three parties agreed that there is a clear difference between the political activity of the rightist parties and progressive parties for the upcoming polls.
ANP leader Bashir Jan, PPP leader Taj Haider and MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi addressed a press conference to condemn the recent attacks on their party members and offices ahead of the general elections.
“In the current situation all parties with liberal, secular and modern agenda are the target of extremists,” Rizvi said while emphasizing that Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are the most effected provinces in the recent wave of terrorism.
“We will not surrender to these religious extremist and neither do we want to get in a fight,” Rizvi clarified. “But we want to tell the world that we have the right to defend ourselves and we will do so.”
All three parties agreed that there is a clear difference between the political activity of the rightist parties and progressive parties for the upcoming polls.
Interim government and ECP
“We do not expect the interim government to finish terrorism from Pakistan, but it is their responsibility to conduct peaceful elections,” Rizvi explained while answering a question regarding the responsibility of caretaker set up.
The ECP has failed to implement the rules it made,” Jan expressed reservations regarding the poll body. “It [ECP] banned wall chalking but some parties continue to do so and we see no action against them.”
“Look at the scrutiny process,” the ANP leader exclaimed. “Parties which have links with banned organizations were allowed to contest elections without nay hindrances while some had to face a lot of music.”
“We demand the interim government to conduct free and fair elections,” Jan further said. “Every party should have equal opportunities to get in touch with the people ahead of the elections.”
“It seems that they [terrorists] have been given permission to attack whoever they please,” Rizvi expressed. “It’s apparent that neither the interim government and nor the ECP are taking any steps to curb the attacks.”
“ECP, the interim government and terrorist are on one page to either postpone elections or get their choice of people in power,” Jan alleged and cemented Rizvi’s belief that the institutions have shown incompetency in the matter.
Role of the west
“It is apparent that there is a local and international conspiracy to divide the country with progressive parties on one side and religious extremist on the other.
“Why aren’t they [west] condemning the recent attacks?” Haider questioned supporting Rizvi’s stance regarding the involvement of west in the recent attacks on political parties.
“Decisions made in a hurry by international establishment lead to events like ‘nine-eleven’ and ‘seven-seven’ and we can now see them leaning towards the right,” Rizvi warned the external factors.
“Media should decide on whose side are they? [our side or the rightist parties],” Haider concluded.
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@Maher: Yes, only IK, JI and Nawaz Have the guts to boycott the elections, however, this time TTP is forcing them to go for its advantage.
Haider is a dual national, he cannot contest elections, he has no say in politics of Pakistan.
@Kay: Saleem,Safi did not say that. He rather said that MQM, ANP, and PPP will have advantage of the terrorists activities against them. It is natural also.
@Naseer Ahmad: salman taseer, shahbaz bhatti, benazir bhutto. all died at the hand of extremists. all had secular visions. all were ppp leaders. ur argument is void.
Now first the deaths of this terrorism is most heart breaking and should be condemned by everyone. But the irony is that the three parties who had been at each other's throat in the name of land grabbing and extortion, are now being called "left" and "secular". And now instead of their performance (or rather lack of it) they again want to contest the election on the basis of 'graves'. Same old hypocrisy.
Bravo!
ET please rectify, it was BASHIR JAN and not Bashir Khan of the ANP.
Why no joint press conference when hundreds of people died in the streets of Karachi. Now because the issue is related to the power so the rivals also come together. I wished they also have done this in the past for public too. But alas no such track record.
Ofcourse!! We should support elections at all cost. Although these three parties are equally responsible for weaponizing Karachi but targeting them is not accepatable.
If they say that, My salute to them!!!
Isnt this interim government appointed by them? Why blame people whom you have appointed youself.
And I never saw them sitting together and condemning the deaths of average two dozen Pakistanis, specially Karachites during their five year tenure. Won't say more!
Han YOU guys won't boycott Elections, because you guys do not have guts.
Excellent Joint Stance.. Well said :)
Sorry Mr. Taj Haider, the track record of PPP doesn't support its apparent claim of being secular. Yes, MQM has proved its secular credentials beyond doubt.
The 3 parties were not involved in and never blamed each other for the target killing, extortion and no go areas. never they labeled each other for terrorism in any talk show ....
That's the reason I am on Liberals side; Bravo- Pakistan wont surrender!!