Alliance in the making: PTI, PML-Q agree on three points

Shah Mahmood Qureshi passes on Imran’s message to Chaudhry Shujaat.

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi passed on a message from Imran Khan to Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi during a meeting with the two Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leaders on Tuesday. The leaders of the two parties earlier signalled agreement on three points: May 2013 elections were rigged, the election commission did not play its due role and that protests should be held constitutionally and legally for securing rights.

Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, Qureshi spoke about the similar views that their parties shared on many issues, while describing the meeting as ‘very successful, positive and encouraging’.

The two parties, according to Qureshi, will move forward within constitutional limits.

He said both the parties were on the same page and agreed that nothing unconstitutional would be done and democracy would not be derailed.

“Both the parties agree on three points –May 2013 elections were rigged, the election commission did not play its role and that protest should be held constitutionally and legally for securing rights,” Qureshi added.

He accused the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of looting the rights of the people and failing to pull people out of crises. He said Imran Khan had given the call of a long march on August 14 in which political parties, civil society and ordinary citizens would participate.

“We are being accused of derailing democracy whereas our objective is to strengthen and consolidate it,” he added.

Speaking at the occasion Chuadhry Shujaat said those blaming them for working for unconstitutional change and derailment of democracy should tell them if they could spot any signs of democracy.

“It is democracy that 15 people were killed [in Model Town on June 17] but no FIR was registered against the culprits nor was anyone arrested,” he said. “Had there been democracy in the country, no Model Town tragedy would have occurred.”

Chaudhrys meet Qadri

Later, Chaudhry Shujaat and Pervaiz Elahi visited Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri to apprise him about their meeting with Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

“All parties will have to be united and adopt a unanimous line of action otherwise incidents like Model Town tragedy will continue to occur during the tenure of this govt which has come into power through rigging,” Shujaat said. “We want to unite all parties on one point.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2014.