Opposition parties to hold joint conference in Islamabad today

ISLAMABAD: The major opposition parties are set to hold a joint meeting to devise an anti-government strategy at a five-star hotel in Islamabad today.

As per details, all the major opposition parties, including JUI-F and Akhtar Mengal’s BNP-M, have agreed to join hands against the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government, while Jamat-e-Islami has decided to stay away from the APC describing its agenda as vague and objectives as dubious.

“The JI could not sit with those parties which are equally responsible with the PTI for economic and social destruction of the country, and dubiously supported the legislative agenda of PTI to push the country in the slavery of colonial powers,” said JI ameer Senator Sirajul Haq while addressing Mujahid-e-Millat seminar in memory of late Maulana Abdus Satar Niazi on Saturday.

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP chairman Asif Ali Zardari will also address the APC, attended by nearly a dozen political parties, via video link and it will be broadcast live on social media.

According to a statement, “The PPP will provide a link on social media where the two leaders will deliver opening remarks,”

The decision of a live broadcast comes even as Prime Minister Imran Khan’s aide on political communication Shahbaz Gill warned of legal action if Nawaz’s address is aired.

Gill said that it was not possible for an “absconding criminal” to take part in political activities and give speeches. “The Sharif family can tell nothing but lies.

PLD 2016 Sindh 238

عدالت کے فیصلہ میں واضح ہے ایک مفرور مجرم نے اگر ویسے ہی حقوق استعمال کرنے ہیں جو کہ ایک آزاد، شریف شہری کہ ہیں تو پھر اسے مفرور قرار کیا صرف فائلوں کی زینت بنانے کے لئیے کیا جاتا ہے؟ پیرا 41 اور پیرا 42 میں یہ واضح ہے کہ نواز شریف جیسے مجرم یہ حق نہیں رکھتے pic.twitter.com/JxYKvlQpvz

— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) September 19, 2020

Nawaz Sharif agreed to virtually attend the conference on the invitation of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto who had called him to inquire after his health.

“Just spoke to Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif. Enquired about his health. Also invited him to virtually attend opposition APC, hosted by PPP, on 20th September,” the PPP chairman had tweeted.

Just spoke to Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif. Enquired about his health. Also invited him to virtually attend opposition APC, hosted by PPP, on 20th September.

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) September 18, 2020

Besides the PPP and PML-N, Asfandyar Wali’s Awami National Party (ANP), Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) are expected to attend, besides others.

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari gave a formal invitation to JUI-F chief Fazl-ur-Rahman during a meeting at the latter’s residence, sources said.

During the meeting, Senator Abdul Kareem, Shah Owais Noorani, Yousuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Akram Durrani and Maulana Ataur Rehman were present.

Following the meeting, Bilawal said that a very “wholesome” and “detailed” discussion took place between both parties. He said that Fazl had accepted his invitation to attend the conference.

Separately, Bilawal spoke to Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Akhtar Mengal to inquire of his health and to thank him for his support.

Bilawal expressed his gratitude for Mengal’s decision to send a delegation of the party for participation in the APC.

The opposition parties had decided to convene an APC on September 20 after a Rahbar Committee meeting comprising leaders from all opposition parties decided that it was time to show the incumbent government the door.