Pakistan Peoples' Party Parliamentarians vice-chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim said on Friday that creation of a conducive political environment was imperative prior to en bloc resignations from the assemblies.
At the party's central secretariat here he told journalists that the government had managed to create divisions in opposition's ranks and hence it was not the right time for resignations, as people would not come into streets for Musharraf's exit. He said that tendering of resignations was not an easy task either, as also conceded by MMA leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed.
"If resignations can lead to getting rid of the Musharraf government, the opposition will not hesitate. But, apparently, this is not the case," he added. He said that political situation had yet to be created where people would know what the opposition parties were doing, and they must be taken into confidence.
Amin, who also heads the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy, said that he believed that only with masses' co-operation, the mobilisation campaign could be launched for achieving the objective.
Brushing aside reports of contacts between President Musharraf's aides and his party leadership, he said that it was another deliberate attempt to create differences in ARD ranks. He called this trend the policy of 'divide and rule'. He said that he had recently taken Nawaz Sharif into confidence regarding all these speculations, during a meeting with him in London.
He confidently said that the opposition was united and his party was bound to abide by unanimous decisions. "All opposition parties are united on revival of democracy, restoration of 1973 constitution and preventing military from taking over civilian governments in future," he stated.
About Yousaf Raza Gillani's release part of a possible deal with the rulers, he said that this could again be another card played by the government. Regarding formation of a 'grand alliance', Amin said that he did not see any difference between 'joint opposition' and 'grand opposition'. "Both are the same."
He said, "Yes, a proposal was floated at Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan's residence regarding formation of a grand opposition alliance, but that has not been finalised."
He welcomed the statement of Qazi that he (Amin Fahim) does not have any powers and all decisions were taken by Benazir. He said that this showed that the PPPP was fully organised and a disciplined party, and party leadership takes all major decisions. Later, he said he would shortly be leaving for London for meeting between Benazir and Nawaz to discuss future course of action.