Political forces unite against Qadri 'agenda'

ISLAMABAD: As the long-march on Islamabad entered into the third day with Tahirul Qadri vociferously pushing for his demands on Wednesday, the political parties both inside and outside the parliament with a few exceptions also came out with a clear stand against what they termed 'any undemocratic and unconstitutional move'.

The heads of opposition parties including Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Chief Fazlur Rehman, Jamat-e-Islami Amir Syed Munawar Hassan, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and others expressed their resolve at a joint press conference to thwart any move aimed at derailment of the democratic process and stood in clash with the Constitution.

The opposition parties said with one voice that only a change through democratic elections will be acceptable to them.

However, they pressed the government to announce elections before it is too late.

Pakistan Tehirk-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan also announced that his party will not take part in the Tehrik-e-Minhajul Quran sit-in being staged in the federal capital. The decision came after PTI leadership held a party meeting in Lahore today.

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf appreciated the opposition's stand and termed it a good omen for democracy and future of the country.

Awami National Party has already made its stance clear against Tahirul Qadri's long-march.

Later, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Khursheed Shah talking to media persons said that the general elections will be held on or before May 6 and assured that the polls date will not be pushed beyond May 6.

"The general elections can be held on May 4, 5 or 6 but the date will not be extended beyond May 6," Khursheed Shah said.

On the face of it, Tahirul Qadri is now only left with a moral support of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). It may be mentioned here that MQM had first announced to join the long-march but later distanced itself from it, citing security reasons.