A vanguard action has begun in the federal capital, as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has geared up efforts to engage the stubborn PTI leadership in talks by involving the top leadership of different political parties for what they call an effort to save the fledgling democracy.
The major political parties such as Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakhtunkhwa Mili Awami Party (PkMAP), visibly perturbed over PTI's stubbornness to go ahead with its scheduled rally, spent busy day at Prime Minister's secretariat, advising the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resolve the issue through talks.
Sources privy to the development told Business Recorder that they (leaders) had advised the prime minister to even go for re-elections in the 14 controversial constituencies, in a bid to appease the PTI instead of going for a head on collision. The sources sated that the Prime Minister agreed to the leaders of political parties and sought their support in finding a way out to the issue, saying that he himself had been calling upon PTI chairman he was ready to accept his demands.
According to the sources, the political leadership assured the Prime Minister that they would stand by him for the sake of democracy but at the same time advised him to take some concrete steps before it is too late. Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Sirajul Haq, whose party is a coalition partner of PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sahrif and discussed with him PTI's demands. The sources said that Siraj also advised the premier to accept some of the PTI demands as this is the only way out to resolve the crisis.
After meeting with the Prime Minister, the JI Ameer drove up to the Banigala residence of PTI chairman Imran Khan. Later, talking to media he said that he had blamed the centre for taking things to this point, forcing the PTI to shut its doors for talks. He said that his party would decide to participate in the long march after August 10. The sources within JI said that the party might prefer to remain neutral in whole scenario, as it is also part of the PTI-led government in KP.
Other leaders who reportedly started efforts as mediators to cool down the political tension include Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Kahn and Mahmood Khan Achakzai of PkMAP. The sources within PPP said that PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had telephoned various political leaders prominently Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and PTI chairman Imran Khan. They said that Zardari also spoke to Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri to discuss the brewing political situation.
Senator Farhatullah Babar confirmed that Zardari called Dr Tahirul Qadri on Wednesday evening from London and exchanged views with him on the current political situation in the country. Babar said that while talking to Dr Qadri, Zardari said that in last government there was not a single political prisoner nor any case registered against any political leader and that's what we called democracy.
Zardari said that PPP never supported political victimisation and it would not allow any one to victimise political opponents nor permit registration of fabricated cases against the political leadership. Zardari also condemned registration of case against Dr Qadri, he added. The political frenzy forced different political parties to hold meeting in capital to discuss the repercussions of 'Azadi March' by PTI chairman Imran Khan.
A meeting was held between Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah and JI Chief Siraj-ul-Haq. Both the leaders reportedly pledged to play their due role in bringing down the political temperature. Shah also held a separate meeting with ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Kan. At the same time there were reports that the capital police raided at the residence of some PTI leaders. The Margala police went to the residence of head of PTI's media cell Rizwan Chaudhry but had to leave as he was not present at home. Saifuallha Khan Niazi, PTI Additional Secretary General, strongly condemned the police raid at the residence of Rizwan and harassment of other party workers.
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