APC rejects formation of CPEC Authority

The All Parties' Conference (APC) of the opposition on Tuesday rejected the formation of CPEC [China-Pakistan Economic Corridor] Authority, describing it against the decision of the Parliament.

The APC convened by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Emir Maulana Fazlur Rehman also reiterated the opposition parties' demand for early, free, fair and transparent election without any role of the army.

Briefing reporters along with leaders of the opposition parties including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal and others after hours long session, Maulana Fazlur Rehman declined to comment on suspension of the notification of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa's extension by the Supreme Court, saying: "The matter is before the apex court and our opinion on the appointments of government servants is very clear."

Maulana said that the APC discussed the prevailing political situation of the country, future course of action of their anti-government drive, appointments of the two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as well as chief election commissioner, and economic situation of the country in detail.

He said that the APC rejected formation of the CPEC Authority, saying that the authority has been constituted against the decision of the Parliament. He further stated that it was also regretted that statements of certain ministers have also made the CPEC project controversial.

About the formation of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the APC constituted a three-member committee to finalize the names of the two retired members of the electoral body and the chief election commissioner who is due to retire in the first week of the next month. He said that ECP is an independent institution and it would become totally dysfunctional next month.

About the anti-government movement, he said that it was decided unanimously that the opposition parties would jointly hold protest rallies at districts level across the country against the government. He said that the only solution to save the country from destruction is to send the PTI government back to home.

The JUI-F chief said that rule of law and Constitution would be ensured and all institutions will have to remain in their limits, adding that holding of an early election is the basic and unanimous demand of the opposition parties.

Maulana said that the APC expressed grave concerns over the suspension of the local government system in Punjab and demanded immediate restoration of the local bodies system in the province.

He further said that the APC also demanded that PTI's foreign funding case should be heard on daily basis by the ECP and the decision in the case should be made as soon as possible after thorough investigations.

Maulan said that the APC also condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran in Norway and stated that the government ministers should avoid irresponsible statement about the incident. He said that the government should take up the incident affectively with the government of Norway.

Speaking on the occasion, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that his party is ready for free, fair and transparent election in the country. "We do not want 'selected' PM but we want democratically elected prime minister in the country. All the opposition parties are unanimous in their demand of fair election in the country," he stated in response of a question.

Bilawal also urged the federal government to include private doctors in the medical board treating his ailing father Asif Ali Zardari. He said that his father has been ill since long and his health condition is worsening day by day. "We hope that the Supreme Court will soon hear our plea in this regard," he said.

He lashed out at the government for shifting his father's case from Sindh to Rawalpindi, adding that the cases of Asif Ali Zardari should be shifted back to Sindh.

Talking on the occasion, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said that Parliament has been made irrelevant and the government is being run through ordinances.

Without naming the Army Chief, Ahsan Iqbal said: "A very important appointment was made controversial. The incompetent government of PTI has made the most sensitive appointment in the country a joke." He said that demonstration of an irresponsible attitude on part of the PTI government would be highly dangerous to country's security.

He said that it has become inevitable that an elected government must come instead of a 'selected' one to steer the country out of the prevailing challenges.

Referring to the economic situation of the country, he said that the present government's 'failed' economic policies have posed a serious threat to the country's security, adding that lives of the people are in miserable condition due to rising inflation.