The opposition is again confronted with a perplexing question of adopting collective strategy due to Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal's threat to quit National Assembly, following the passage of the 'women protection bill'.
The opposition seems to be in disarray, both inside and outside the parliament, which would suit President General Pervez Musharraf, and it is widely believed that one reason of getting the bill through the assembly was to keep the opposition divided.
A thick aura of confusion continues to envelop the opposition camp. To get rid of it, Pakistan Muslim League (N) has announced to convene an all parties conference either in London or here.
The objective of APC may be 'noble', but the polarised opposition is most unlikely to join hands for the cause of restoration of 'genuine democracy, and stop President Musharraf from continuing his unchallenged rule.
Ostensibly, Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians and Fazlur Rehman are believed to be the main stumbling blocks in the way of any joint anti-government move, including MMA's en bloc resignations, opposition sources told Business Recorder.
PPPP insists on MMA quitting the Balochistan coalition government before formally launching a grand alliance, while Fazl wants these assemblies completing the term.
Sources said that efforts, ever since a meeting of all prominent opposition leaders at the residence of Nisar Ali Khan was held, have failed to find a via media acceptable to all sides.
The meeting under the auspices of PML (N) is also aimed at trying again to thrash out a mutually acceptable plan of action.
A PPPP leader made it clear that the party stands by its stance that resignation option should be exercised in September or October next year. He conceded that to motivate the disenchanted common man to resume participation in politics required proper homework that should take at least another year or so.
"We may resign tomorrow; but what will be our next option? You can't come out alone unless people start evincing interest in what we have in the plate," he said.
Another meeting, or telephonic contact, between Benazir and Nawaz is on the cards within a few days, wherein the PPPP leader would be taking the PML leader into confidence on the party's support on the women protection bill and exchanging views on the latest political situation back home, opposition sources said.
An insider of PML (N) said that the party could emulate MMA, in case its members resigned despite PPPP's opposition. Benazir has asked the local party leaders to convince the religious parties' alliance not to quit the assembly at this juncture, as it would be ineffective and would go to Musharraf's advantage.
The PPPP leader contends that resignations late next year could impede General Musharraf's 're-election' from the assembly, as it would be impossible for the government to hold bye-elections at that time with the joint opposition taking to streets against his bid, garnering the people's support.
PML (N) held back its MNAs' resignations thrice on PPPP's advice: after the passage of the 17th amendment, killing of Akbar Bugti and again after the assembly adopted the women bill for women rights.
But to hold back again the resignations following MMA members' quitting the lower house of parliament may now be an improbability, remarked a PML source.