Opposition parties agree in principle to form a joint opposition after consultations: Maulana Fazlur Rehman

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday announced that opposition parties had agreed in principle to form a joint front after consultations.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament, Rehman said that there was an initial consultative meeting held in the chamber of Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, in which Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas was also present.

“We have agreed in principle that we need to move towards a joint opposition so that our collective parliamentary role can be more effectively played. Further consultation on this will continue, and I am hopeful that we have started well,” he stated.

Responding to a question on whether the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would also join the joint opposition, Rehman said that “PPP is part of the government and I am talking about the opposition parties”.

Responding to another question about the possibility of an All-Party Conference, he said that a conducive environment should be created for that purpose.

Fazl was speaking to reporters after a meeting with leaders from the opposition coalition Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayin Pakistan (TTAP).

A statement from the TTAP spokesperson said Fazl and Achakzai exchanged views on making mutual contacts among opposition parties more effective and adopting a joint strategy at the parliamentary level.

“On this occasion, it was agreed to continue further consultations among opposition parties and to formulate a joint course of action. After the meeting, while talking to the media, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that today’s meeting was the first with the opposition parties; we have decided that a united opposition will be formed. He said that this was the first session, and further consultations will also take place. All opposition parties will come together to form the opposition.

“Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that contacts among opposition parties will be strengthened, and a joint strategy will be finalised,” the statement said.

It added that a detailed exchange of views took place on the country’s current political situation, parliamentary affairs, mutual cooperation among opposition parties, and future political strategy.

“During the meeting, serious concern was expressed regarding the health of PTI founder chairman Imran Khan. 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 facilities.

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

It added that the meeting’s participants also expressed concern over and condemned the government’s attitude and behaviour towards the opposition in the National Assembly and Senate, adding that the opposition’s voice was heard, not suppressed, in a democracy.

They also considered the policies being adopted by the government, the role of the opposition in Parliament, and future strategy for protecting the Constitution and democracy.

The development comes a day after PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari led a party delegation that met TTAP leaders. It is learnt that Bilawal urged close coordination between the opposition and the PPP on upcoming legislation.

Bilawal also urged the opposition to rejoin parliamentary standing committees. He also sought coordination among opposition parties on the appointment of the chief election commissioner and members of the Election Commission of Pakistan, as well as on electoral reforms.

On the other hand, Achakzai stressed the need to restore the Constitution to its original form. He said the TTAP was ready to act as a bridge between the PPP and PTI. “Political forces should unite for the sake of democracy.”

Various political circles were curious as to why the PPP leadership chose to meet opposition leaders at this time. Some political analysts suggested that the PPP chairman’s meeting on Wednesday was not an isolated event.

The meeting comes at a time when the system appears to have extended an olive branch to Imran Khan, even as both the ruling PML-N and its coalition partner, the PPP, face pressure to pursue a new constitutional amendment.

At present, relations between the two coalition partners appear tense following the recent general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.