By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties in parliament moved a step closer to forming a joint political front on Thursday, after Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman held talks with National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas in Islamabad.
The three leaders reached an agreement in principle to form a “united opposition”, according to a statement issued by a spokesperson for the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP).
The meeting, held in the opposition chamber at Parliament House, brought together senior figures from the JUI-F, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other opposition parties for what Maulana Fazlur Rehman later described as the first formal session of its kind.
Discussions centred on the country’s political situation, parliamentary affairs, cooperation between opposition parties and the shape of a future joint strategy, the TTAP spokesperson said. Participants voiced sharp criticism of what they characterised as the government’s conduct towards opposition benches in both houses of parliament.
“The opposition leaders said that in a democracy, the opposition’s voice is heard, not suppressed,” the spokesperson said, relaying concerns raised during the talks over the government’s “attitude and behaviour” towards opposition members in the National Assembly and Senate.
The meeting also reviewed government policy, the opposition’s role within parliament, and what the alliance called a future strategy for “protecting the Constitution and democracy”. Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Mehmood Khan Achakzai discussed ways to strengthen coordination between opposition parties and to build a more unified approach at the parliamentary level, with both sides agreeing to pursue further consultations aimed at settling on a joint course of action.
Concern over Imran Khan’s health
The gathering also turned to the health of PTI founder Imran Khan, a subject the spokesperson said was raised with “serious concern” during the discussions. Citing a Supreme Court ruling, the opposition leaders called for Khan to be moved to hospital without delay and given the best available medical treatment.
“The opposition leaders said that no politics should be played on the issue of the former prime minister’s health,” the spokesperson said, adding that the leaders had insisted Khan be given immediate and appropriate medical care “on humanitarian and medical grounds”.
Former National Assembly speaker and senior PTI figure Asad Qaiser attended the meeting on behalf of his party. He was joined by PTI parliamentary leader Shahid Khattak, Chief Whip Malik Amir Dogar, and MNAs Atif Khan, Shehram Khan Tarakai, Sanaullah Masti Khel and Ali Asghar Khan. Provincial assembly member Asif Khan Mehsud was also present.
The JUI-F was represented by MNA Uthman Badini, Senator Kamran Murad, Senator Maulana Abdul Wasay and Maulana Kamaluddin, alongside Maulana Fazlur Rehman himself.
“This was the first session”
Speaking to reporters after the meeting concluded, Maulana Fazlur Rehman confirmed that Thursday’s talks marked the first between the opposition parties on the matter and said a decision had been taken to press ahead with forming a united bloc.
“This was the first session, and further consultations will also take place. All opposition parties will come together to form the opposition,” he told reporters.
The JUI-F chief said that ties between the opposition parties would be reinforced in the coming weeks as a joint strategy was worked out, and suggested that the question of convening an All Parties Conference ought to be taken up as part of those discussions.
Thursday’s meeting followed a separate round of talks a day earlier between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and opposition leaders, held alongside a PPP delegation. That meeting, held on Wednesday, also focused on parliamentary affairs and the broader political landscape, with Bilawal urging opposition members to take up seats on parliamentary committees and play a more active role within them.
Participants in Wednesday’s talks agreed to stay in contact and to cooperate on legislative business going forward, according to a statement issued at the time.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
