The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) is reluctant to go for a countrywide campaign against President Pervez Musharraf as the component parties differ on launch timing.
During interviews, leaders of Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarian and Pakistan Muslim League (N) conceded that they were yet to agree on when and how to launch the campaign, though they wanted removal of the present setup at all costs.
But apparently, party workers and the common man are not ready to be part of any political activity. However, absence of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif is also seen as a key factor in opposition's lacklustre role in the given situation outside the Parliament.
However, ARD parties' heads will meet this week to review political situation with special reference to the ongoing operation in South Waziristan and ponder over the possibility of anti-Musharraf movement.
"Yes, the ARD could have cashed in on the issue of nuclear proliferation, Kashmir policy and Wana operation, but it seems that the alliance lacks confidence at the movement," admitted a key leader of PPPP.
The rumours of return of Benazir and Shahbaz Sharif have also died down in recent weeks.
PPPP is still in a shock over sudden parting of ways by Zafar Iqbal Warriach and his resignation as MNA. Benzir has summoned the party spokesman Farhatullah Khan Babar to discuss certain issues with focus on growing resentment among some party legislators and workers, party sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday.
PML (N) Information Secretary Siddiqul Farooq said that ARD component parties shared common view that it was high time to rally people against Musharraf, but how this should be done was still undecided.
He commended opposition's firm stand on a joint resolution in the National Assembly against targeted assassination of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yasin and stressed for a common approach in all parties on national issues.
Shahbaz, he said, has called an important meeting of key party leaders to discuss his comeback.
On the other hand, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has hurt its credibility among people after its support to the government on 17th Amendment. ARD and other opposition groups have labelled MMA as 'friendly opposition'.
Internal rift within its ranks has compelled it to keep relatively low profile. Sajid Mir and Samiul Haq are not happy over MMA policies while the third vice-president Sajid Naqvi is under detention, rendering the alliance virtually a two-party alliance.
It is worth mentioning that Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan has also lost much interest in MMA following the demise of its president Shah Ahmed Noorani.
Needless to say, this situation greatly favours the coalition government, which basks in the sun after convincing MMA to support it on 17th Amendment, which by and large is a compilation of the Legal Framework Order.
Though of late, the government does not feel comfortable in the wake of Muttahida Qaumi Movement's foot dragging on its plan to table the much talked about National Security Council bill in the Parliament.
MQM is expected to thrash out a strategy to what extent it could to support the proposed NSC bill.
Therefore, the government has for the time being shelved the plan to move the bill in the Parliament.
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