Assemblies will complete their terms, opposition parties agree

ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary leaders of opposition parties agreed on Friday that the assemblies should complete their terms. 

Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah, addressing the media after the meeting of opposition parties, said they are all united in their demand that the prime minister must step down according to the promises he made to the nation earlier. 

However, Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Sherpao said his party and the Awami National Party are awaiting the apex court's decision till they demand the premier's resignation.

Shah said the Panama case Joint Investigation Team  (JIT) report has laid bare the corruption charges against the Sharif family.

"The people of Pakistan and all opposition members want elections to be held on time and the assemblies to complete their tenure," said Shah.

He said we will stand by the Supreme Court with whatever decision it makes in the case. 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) Shah Mehmood Qureshi said all opposition members have given their signatures to Shah so he may requisition the assembly session whenever he deems fit. 

The PTI leader also said our fight is not with a political party but corrupt elements in the country. "The PML-N is also internally cautioning the premier," he claimed. He reiterated his party's stance that the premier should resign forthwith. 

Jamaat-e-Islami head Sirajul Haq said "we want accountability for all as no one should be above the law". 

"The opposition has shown today that we all want to preserve democracy in the country," said Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Farooq Sattar also addressed the media and reiterated the opposition's decision to support democracy. 

The opposition parties held the meeting to formulate a joint strategy in light of the recent developments arising from the report.

The meeting, chaired by Shah at his chamber in the National Assembly, was attended by leaders of all leading opposition parties and FATA lawmakers.

On Thursday, Shah said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had lost moral legitimacy and should resign following the submission of the JIT report.

He added that the PML-N government should complete its tenure by nominating another party leader for the position of prime minister.

Taking a swipe at the leadership, he asked if they would again confront the public and the judiciary.

He also questioned why no action had been taken against the prime minister yet.

Shah said that Nawaz lacked the courage to confront the democratic political parties of the country.