Opposition planning mass contact campaign

Combined opposition is planning to kick off a mass contact campaign after the third phase of local government elections. Opposition leaders are in contact, and will be closely monitoring the last phase of electoral process before the campaign, opposition sources told Business Recorder here on Saturday.
It is learnt that some opposition parties wanted to boycott elections to nazim slots, but had to review their decision because majority in the opposition did not want to leave the field open for the ruling coalition.
Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Imran Khan and other leaders in their informal meetings discussed the boycott option, but decided to take part in the election, sources claimed.
The third phase of the local government elections will be held on October 6.
The opposition observed strike on September 9. Government circles observed the strike was completely flopped while the opposition claimed it a success.
The steering committee of the combined opposition will meet immediately after the local government elections to furnish recommendations for future line of action.
Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) deputy secretary-general Hafiz Hussain Ahmed told Business Recorder all future decisions would be made from the platform of joint opposition, as despite differences on some issues, opposition parties wanted restoration of the democracy and revival of 1973 Constitution.
Referring to the treasury's apathy toward National Assembly proceedings, he alleged it appears the ruling coalition members wanted to become nazims after resigning as MNAs.
He was of the view the role of lawmakers was being marginalised gradually.
"It also reflects treasury MNAs are losing interest in the house, as all important decisions are being made bypassing the parliament," the MMA leader charged.
He complained the opposition was being deliberately denied the opportunity to speak on the floor on important national issues. "Rulers want to make the parliament a mere debating forum."