ANP joins opposition ranks for political struggle

Combined opposition on Friday predicted the return of true democracy, and revival of the Constitution as it stood on October 12, 1999, in a very short time, as Awami National Party also formally joined their ranks in the 'political struggle'.
Speaking at a news conference in the chamber of Opposition Leader in the Senate Raza Rabbani, Alliance for Restoration of Democracy Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim said that the days of the return of true democracy and the generals going back to barracks were not very far off.
He endorsed the opposition's decisions, following his meeting with Makhdoom Amin Fahim on Thursday at the Parliament House, after reviewing the current political situation with particular reference to the Supreme Court's detailed judgement against the Pakistan Steel Mill's privatisation.
Leaders of Pakistan Peoples' Party Parliamentarians, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party decided to move the much-awaited motion on August 23, and will be participating in the MMA's public meeting on August 14 in Lahore. "People will be with us when we embark upon street agitation to send the rulers home," claimed the ARD leader confidently.
He welcomed ANP President Senator Asfandyar Wali's endorsement of the joint opposition's decisions taken two days earlier at the same venue.
"You want them to be seen in confinement," was the smiling Makhdoom's terse remark when a reporter wanted to know how many lawmakers of the ruling coalition had promised to support the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
ANP president maintained that his party would abide by the joint opposition's decisions regarding the supremacy of the parliament and restoration of democracy.
He made it clear that sovereignty was the right of people of the country and not the few generals. "ANP will play its role in sending back the generals to barracks," he added.
Asfandyar Wali was scheduled to be part of the Wednesday's meeting, but could not turn up due to his engagements in the flood-hit areas. ANP, he said, was ready to be part of a proposed grand political alliance on the elimination of the military and agencies' role in politics and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Election Commission.
Rabbani hailed the ANP for its support to the no-trust motion and backing the joint opposition in its future course of actions. The party from NWFP has no representation in the National Assembly, but has two senators in the Senate.