News
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Opposition parties agree on early elections* Reach agreement on a five-point agenda
* Express concern over govt’s confrontational policy
* Reject any undemocratic move
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties, led by the PML-N, on Friday came up with a five-point agenda to form a ‘grand’ opposition alliance, and agreed that an early election is must to bring the country out of crises.
PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and his party members discussed the agenda with leaders of several political parties. They included Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Fazlur Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders Qazi Hussain Ahmad and Khurshid Ahmed, the PPP-S’ Aftab Khan Sherpao, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, National Party leader Hasil Bazenjo, Jamaat-e-Ahle Hadith leader Sajid Mir and PML-Q (like-minded) leaders Salim Saifullah Khan and Gohar Ayub. PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal briefed the media on the five points that were discussed and “agreed upon” by participants as:
Opposition parties have expressed concern over the government’s policy of confrontation with state institutions and agreed that steps should be taken to defuse tensions in the precarious political situation.
Democracy will be kept supreme “at all costs” and no undemocratic move will be allowed.
An early election is the “only” solution to steer the country of the prevailing political and economic problems. There is resentment among opposition parties over the government’s reluctance to implement Supreme Court verdicts.
There should be an independent election commission to ensure fair elections. Like other members of the commission, the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner should also be made after a consensus.
Ahsan Iqbal said the opposition parties have also agreed on the need for a neutral caretaker set up to hold free and fair elections.
A source, meanwhile, said the PML-N has agreed to withdraw its decision to bring a no-confidence move against the prime minister in the National Assembly on the recommendation by participants of the meeting. “Those who attended the meeting believe any move to bring a no-confidence motion will backfire in view of numerical strength of opposition parties,” the source said.
The meeting took place on the day when Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani threw down the gauntlet to opposition to bring a no-confidence motion in parliament, saying he does not need a vote of confidence. Gilani also told the National Assembly the government would not beg support from anyone and prefers to go to masses. He also asked opposition members to bring constitutional amendment if they wanted to cut short the tenure of the prime minister or parliament. “It is not difficult for the House to bring any amendment because it has already made 103 amendments,” the premier said.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk