Speaking at a news conference here on Monday, leader of opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan criticised MQM chief Altaf Hussain for holding rally in favour of President Asif Ali Zardari. He also lashed out at PTI chief Imran Khan, saying politics was not all about a "T-20 match" and that revolution would not take place by holding a rally in a single city by inviting people from across the country.
Referring to MQM's Sunday rally in Karachi in support of President Zardari, he said those who were once staging rallies in favour of the then President, General (Retd) Musharraf, were now doing the same in support of President Zardari. He also asked MQM chief to return to Pakistan.
Reacting to severe criticism on PML-N leadership by MQM chief, Nisar said: "This is not London and we are not Imran Farooq. We will appreciate his (Altaf Hussain) valour if he comes back to Pakistan where he has his own government-both in centre and Sindh". To a question, he said that PML-N anti-government drive - "Go Zardari Go movement" would - also be extended to entire Pakistan after Eid and Muharram.
Nisar, however, claimed that PML-N drive had not targeted the Senate elections that would be held in March. He accused President Zardari of indulging in politics of violence. "The only person who is frightened of the situation is President Zardari who has resorted to politics of violence," he said while referring to attacks on PML-N offices in Sindh following Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif severe criticism on the President.
"Asif Zardari was elected democratically but he is acting in a very undemocratic and controversial way," he said also lambasted him for allegedly writing a letter to President Obama seeking his help in the event of any military take-over. "The people should see why all are irritated by PML-N. Who is pulling the strings behind the curtain," Nisar said while rejecting the impression that PML-N has isolated itself.
To a question, Nisar said that his party was ready to go along with all political parties including the 'genuine' PPP, PTI, JI and JUI-F by devising some 'ground rules' for the cause of Pakistan and a corruption-free society. He said that his party was of the view that no single party alone would be able to cope with the challenges. "We are not only ready to reconcile with Imran Khan but all the political parties should unite because the critical situation of the country could not be dealt with single-handedly," he added.
Reacting to the challenge of Imran in his Sunday rally in Lahore, Nisar said that PML-N was ready to face his 'bowling' provided that it should be without any ball 'tempering' and gambling - the hallmark of Imran's career. He also brushed aside the views of any major change on the political landscape of the country following PTI's Lahore rally.
Nisar also questioned Imran's "silence" against Altaf despite his announcement to take him to court of justice. He also asked why he met Chaudhry brothers, although he had declared them the most corrupt people. At the same time, he also questioned why criticism on PPP by Imran not received in a manner shown for Shahbaz Sharif's speech. On declaring assets, Nisar said that PML-N leadership Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif had been declared with the Election Commission. He asked Imran to declare his assets and expenses of millions of rupees on public meetings.
He said that PML-N was in favour of declaration of assets of not only of parliamentarians, but also of the generals, judges, bureaucrats and all those holding public offices. For the purpose, he said that PML-N had already proposed the setting up of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. On Shahbaz's harsh words against President Zardari, he said that whatever bad language was being used by 'Zardari mafia' in the last three days was also required to be looked into.