Opposition calls for a change of political status quo
Monitoring Desk:
All mainstream political parties demanded a change of the political status quo in the country. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) organized an all-parties conference in Islamabad to discuss ways and means to mount pressure on the government.
Former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, former President Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Mian Shehbaz Sharif addressed APC. Prior to a recess for lunch, the speakers — PML-N’s Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif and PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari — were united in underscoring the “need for a plan of action”. The opposition, however, has yet to announce what it is.
Nawaz started by thanking PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for hosting the conference as well as Zardari, saying he would not forget the love with which the former president spoke to him a day earlier.
Nawaz Sharif
“I am thankful to the organizers of the conference for giving me the opportunity to talk. Even though I am away from my country, I know very well what condition the country and the people are in. I believe this is a decisive turn; it is necessary to protect democracy […] and take fearless decisions.”
In an all-encompassing speech, which centered on criticizing the Imran Khan-led government, Nawaz spoke on the “poor state” of Pakistan’s economy, “deteriorating” international relations, “muzzling” of media, and “corruption within the PTI and Bani Gala”.
“The country’s leader keeps harping on about accountability but he himself is involved in raising sugar prices. Will no reference be filed against him?” He also repeated the opposition’s allegation that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), with the connivance of PTI, was carrying out only “selective accountability”.
Asif Zardari
Earlier, former president Zardari delivered the opening speech at the multiparty conference, also through video link. Zardari thanked Nawaz Sharif for virtually attending the conference and asked everyone to pray for the former prime minister’s health. Both Zardari and Nawaz, who are facing corruption cases, are currently out on bail on account of their health.
In his remarks, Zardari criticized the government over what he called were “tactics” to suppress the opposition and media. He welcomed Maryam, PML-N vice-president and daughter of Nawaz Sharif, and said he was happy to see her at the conference.
