ISLAMABAD Aug 06 (INP): Amidst the heated political climate in the days running up to Imran Khan’s August 14 long march, opposition party leaders on Wednesday appealed to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) to reduce friction and try to come to an agreement.
In a joint press conference held after a meeting between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) member Khursheed Shah and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq, both leaders said they want to play a role in lowering the temperatures that have developed over the past few weeks into the current situation.
The meeting, held at JI leader Mian Aslam’s residence, was joined by PPP’s Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly, Syed Khurshid Shah, Qamar Zaman Kaira, JI chief Siraj-ul-Haq, Liaqat Baloch and Mian Aslam.
“We all agreed on supremacy of law and constitution. We have discussed Imran Khan’s march and will also contact other political forces to improve the situation. God willing we will succeed,” said Shah while speaking to media persons after the meeting.
Shah said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation, demanded by Imran Khan, “is not the solution to problems.”
Replying to a question regarding possibility of ‘hidden hands’ behind Khan’s campaign, Shah said “no such hands can interfere if politicians demonstrated unity within their ranks.”
“Whether be it PPP or Jamaat-e-Islami, we all are of the view that issue should not be exploited in such a way. This is unfortunate that we have forgot the past, let the system go on,” he said.
Siraj-ul-Haq said that his party was playing its role to deescalate the prevailing political tension.
“We discussed political situation today, especially Imran Khan’s rally, we have underscored the need that we should play our role rather than acting like silent spectators… We think that holding protests and making demands is a legal and constitutional right of every political party but the politics also requires a flexible attitude,” he said.
Haq said former president Asif Ali Zardari also telephoned him and discussed fresh confrontation between political parties. “He was of the view that no chaos should take place, and I think that Imran Khan doesn’t wish to undermine the democracy through such steps.”
Replying to a query regarding Speaker National Assembly’s resignation, he said “we don’t want anyone sacrifice for now, but instead government’s committee for electoral reforms should lay down a practical program before the nation.”
Khurshid Shah also urged the reforms committee to find a constitutional way out to meet Opposition’s demands