PML-N, PPP oppose JUI-F's idea of resigning from assemblies

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazl-ur-Rehman presided over the APC.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) have rejected the idea of resigning from assemblies in the All Parties Conference (APC) held in federal capital today, sources said.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazl-ur-Rehman presided over the APC for formulating a joint strategy and future course-of-action against the government. He put a suggestion before the meeting to resign from assemblies; however, the main opposition parties said resignations are not a solution to national issues.

Both PML-N and PPP said they would not be able to effectively push their stance outside parliament, adding that a joint strategy should be opted inside and outside the parliament against incumbent government.

Meanwhile, JUI-F chief urged all opposition political parties to observe a “black day” on July 25 as what he said worst election rigging had happened that day [while referring to July 25, 2018 when PTI secured majority of the seats in the National Assembly and came into power].

JUI-F chief said matters did not progressed in the parliamentary committee to investigate the rigging in the general elections. He said the time has come to unite against this government.

Addressing the meeting, PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif said the government has presented the worst budget of the history, adding that they would play their role inside and outside the parliament.

ANP’s leader Asfand Yar on the occasion proposed removal of chairman senate Sadiq Sanjarani. He said opposition may lose confidence of public if did not take this action.

ANP suggested forming a committee to formulate a protest plan against government. Mian Iftakhar of ANP said opposition has majority in the senate so chairman and deputy chairman must be from opposition parties.

Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari while talking to media said APC talks are on the initial stage where different leaders have presented their opinion, however, he said discussion on main points of the agenda still pending.

PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz said APC talks are continued and we have to do something so that people are not disappointed.

The joint statement of the APC said the rulers are not a representation of public as the so called government was imposed after July 25 rigged elections. APC said political parties had rejected these elections.

The statement added that the agenda of this government is anonymous to conspiracy against the state. It said pressure of foreign payments is a big challenge and government has failed to prove itself.

It said whole opposition must unite on this statement before country faces another tragedy. The opposition leaders expressed their resolve to save the country’s stumbling economy, national security, strategic assets and CPEC from enemies.

The statement demanded apology from the government over mistakes in religious matters.

Dunya News sources said majority of opposition parties are agreed on removal of chairman senate however, Bilawal Bhutto is adamant starting movement against government. Sources added that other parties are trying to persuade Bilawal on the issue.

A resolution would be submitted in first step to remove chairman senate and formation of a committee to ponder over the name of new chairman senate was agreed in the meeting. The committee would have members from all opposition parties.

APC also agreed on observing July 25 as black day.

Senior leaders of many political parties  attended the APC.

A five-member delegation of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) comprising of former premier Yousaf Raza Gillani, former chairman of the Senate Raza Rabbani, Nayyar Bukhari, Sherry Rehman and Farhatullah Babar represented their party. Later, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also arrived in the conference.

A 14-member delegation of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led by its president Shehbaz Sharif and vice-president Maryam Nawaz are also attended the APC.

Pakistan s opposition parties sit down in a conference hosted by JUI Chief Maulana Fazal ur Rehman. PMLN delegation includes party president Mian Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Raja Zafar Ul Haq, Ahsan Iqbal and Ayaz Sadiq !! pic.twitter.com/0cdFGxc7Mx

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) June 26, 2019

Other party leaders of the PML-N including Raja Zafarul Haq, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal, Amir Muqam, Abdul Qadir Baloch, Shah Muhammad Shah, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Ranasana Ullah were also invited to participate in the APC.

Besides, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, and delegations from Awami National Party (ANP) and JUI-F also attended the APC.

On the other hand, Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Akhtar Mengal decided not to participate in the APC after holding an advisory meeting. He forwarded a written message to the JUI-F chief via Maulana Asad Mehmood.