Opposition parties stick to call for immediate resolution through dialogue

Meeting between leaders of JI, PPP, JUI-F welcomes SC decision to act as mediator

ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties have asked the government and protesting parties to immediately resolve the current stand-off through dialogue.

Addressing the media on Monday, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq said the national leadership should show maturity and resolve the crisis.

The party had called a meeting of opposition parties, which was attended by Pakistan Peoples Party leader Khurshid Shah, Awami National Party’s Zahid Khan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal’s Akram Durrani, JUI-S’s Maulana Samiul Haq and others.

The meeting welcomed the Supreme Court’s offer to help end the ongoing political impasse between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, PAT and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government.

“All parties are united to protect the Constitution and democracy but want the government to consider the genuine demands of the protesting parties,” Haq added.

Further, he said after a series of meetings between the government and the PTI, he, along with PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira, drafted a proposal calling for both protesting parties to accept the formation of a neutral commission to probe into rigging allegations.

“If rigging allegations were proven, the assemblies would have dissolved and fresh elections would have taken place,” the JI chief said, regarding his and Kaira’s proposal.

Under Haq’s proposal, the government at the highest level would have to publicly commit to adhering by the results of the commission, which would have powers of giving a verdict instead of recommendations.

“This proposal would be signed by all the parties represented in Parliament as guarantors,” he said.

According to the JI chief, PTI chairman Imran Khan had promised to consider the proposal and discuss it with his party. However, developments in the past two days have changed the situation.