Opposition reposes confidence in democracy, pushes for election plan

RAIWIND: Expressing resolve to curb any unconstitutional step, former prime minister and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif called on the PPP-led coalition government to announce the date for general elections and the caretaker setup , Geo News reported.

Speaking to media after a meeting with the leaders of various opposition parties in and outside the parliament including the Jamaat-e-Islami, JUI-F, PML-F, Pashtoon Khuwa MAP and others, he demanded that the government immediately announce formation of caretaker setup.

He said that the opposition parties agreed that they would thwart any attempt aimed at keeping the people away from using their right to vote. Nawaz added that the opposition would put up resistance against anybody who intended to attack the Constitution.

Nawaz further said the meeting reposed complete confidence in the Chief Election Commissioner.

Nawaz Sharif warned President Zardari to announce elections before it is too late.

Speaking on the occasion, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman said that Tahirul Qadri was flouting the Constitution. "Tahirul Qadri is J Salik for the Muslims," he said smilingly.

To a question Fazl said, he did not know what forces were backing the TMQ leader but asserted that the latter was being backed.

Mehmood Khan Achakzai, chief of the PKMAP warned that Pakistan would be turned into a Tehrir-Square, a reference to Egypt’s iconic square where tens of thousands of protesters gathered to bring down decade long tyrant Hosni Mobarak, if undemocratic process continues in Islamabad.

He said a man had occupied the federal capital, which threatened an unconstitutional step from certain quarters. Achakzai said that any extra constitutional step could lead to dismemberment of Pakistan.

Baloch nationalist leader Mir Hasil Binzinjo demanded of the government to immediately announce election date as the time was lapsing.

He said that any delay in announcing polls would prove harmful, adding that the opposition meeting was aimed at chalking out plan for election and not against Allama Tahirul Qadri.

JI Syed Munawar Hassan said that any delay in the election would not be acceptable. He said that countrywide protests would be held if the government delayed the election.