Pakistan Peoples Party (Punjab) stalwart Manzoor Wattoo said on Wednesday that the ongoing fighting within the opposition parties would also harm the PTI. Addressing a press conference at his residence, he said as a former speaker Punjab Assembly he is of the view that the Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq would not entertain such an undemocratic move on the part of PTI.
He lamented that the opposition was divided in a situation when the government was cursing national institutions after disqualification of former premier Nawaz Sharif. "Pakistan is passing through a crisis-like situation after the NAB references against the PML-N leadership. Federal ministers are alleging national institutions and the Supreme Court in their statements and the ongoing smear campaign would be detrimental to democracy and constitution in the country," he added.
He said the PML-N's behaviour after reigning Punjab for 23 years and enjoying the office of Prime Minister for three tenures was unacceptable. The PPP condemns this approach and consider it disservice to the nation. "No other political party of family has enjoyed a status like this," he asserted. He said the joint opposition has a lot of responsibility to perform in these circumstances. They should demonstrate unity and protect national institutions by coming together and solidifying protection and respect of national institutions.
It is pity that the opposition parties have started fighting instead of defending national institutions, he said. He criticised the PTI and MQM for carrying out a move against the opposition leader Syed Khurshid Shah and termed it disservice to the democracy and Pakistan.
He apprehended that this move has weakened the opposition leading to massive disappointment on the part of the people of Pakistan. Furthermore, he said it is also strengthening the government. He said the PPP has 44 members in National Assembly, followed by 26 of the PTI (because a few out of 32 have left it) and 22 of MQM and turning the PPP majority into a minority is undemocratic, unconstitutional and unfair.
He called Syed Khurshid Shah a moderate person who carries everyone along. He had also struggled for the return of PTI in the Parliament after their sit-in of 126 days outside the Parliament and ensured their remuneration and allowances. "A change of such a noble man is unfair," he stressed.
He said the PTI would never be able to meet its objective out of a change of opposition leader, as the PPP would still be in majority to defeat it on every front. "I want to advise them to act in accordance with the national interests and vow for a united opposition to defend Pakistan."