JUI-F chief, opposition leaders agree to form ‘united opposition’

An agreement was reached in principle on Thursday between Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas to form a “united opposition”, a spokesperson for the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) said in a statement.

The JUI-F chief met the opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate in the opposition chamber at Parliament House in Islamabad, where they discussed the country’s current political situation, parliamentary affairs, cooperation among opposition parties and future political strategy, the spokesperson said.

The participants in the meetings expressed concern over and condemned the “government’s attitude and behaviour towards the opposition in the National Assembly and Senate,” he added.

“The opposition leaders said that in a democracy, the opposition’s voice is heard, not suppressed.”

According to the opposition alliance, the meeting also considered the “policies being adopted by the government, the role of the opposition in parliament, and the future strategy for protecting the Constitution and democracy”.

“Fazl and Achakzai also exchanged views on making contacts among opposition parties more effective and adopting a joint strategy at the parliamentary level,” the statement said.

Moreover, it was agreed to continue “further consultations among opposition parties and formulate a joint course of action”, it elaborated.

“During the meeting, serious concern was expressed over the health of PTI founder Imran Khan,” the spokesperson said, adding, “The opposition leaders demanded that, in light of the Supreme Court decision, Imran Khan be transferred to a hospital at the earliest and provided with the best possible medical treatment.”

“The opposition leaders said that no politics should be played on the issue of the former prime minister’s health; he should be provided with immediate and appropriate medical facilities on humanitarian and medical grounds.”

PTI leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser also participated in the meeting. The JUI-F delegation included MNA Uthman Badini, Senator Kamran Murad, Senator Maulana Abdul Wasay and Maulana Kamaluddin.

PTI parliamentary leader Shahid Khattak, Chief Whip Malik Amir Dogar, MNAs Atif Khan, Shehram Khan Tarakai, Sanaullah Masti Khel and Ali Asghar Khan, and MPA Asif Khan Mehsud were also present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media after the meeting, the JUI-F chief said that today’s meeting was the first between the opposition parties and that they had decided that a “united opposition would be formed”.

“This was the first session, and further consultations will also take place. All opposition parties will come together to form the opposition,” Fazl said.

He added that contacts among the opposition parties would be strengthened and a joint strategy would be finalised.

“The matter of holding an All Parties Conference should also be discussed,” he said.

On Wednesday, the PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, also had a meeting with the opposition leaders, along with a PPP delegation.

The meeting discussed parliamentary affairs and the country’s political situation. Bilawal asked the opposition leaders to join parliamentary committees and play an active role, according to the statement.

The participants also agreed to maintain contact and cooperate on legislative matters in the parliament.