Grand opposition alliance in two weeks: PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and former NA speaker Asad Qaiser Thursday hinted at the formation of a grand alliance of opposition parties against the government within next two weeks.

Taking to reporters in Rawalpindi after having met the party founder Imran Khan in Adiala Jail along with PTI Secretary General Umar Ayub, Asad Qaiser said that they are going to form a grand alliance in the next 2 weeks, adding that there would be contacts and consultations with all parties for the purpose.

He said that all parties raising their voice against the government and leading movements or staging sit-ins, would be part of this alliance. He said his party fully supported the sit-in by Jamaat-e-Islami and its demands that it forwarded to the government.

He made it clear the increase in electricity prices would not be accepted under any circumstances, and the country would have to be run according to the Constitution and law.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Umar Ayub said that the expensive power plants were the fault of the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), particularly the N-League went for costly agreements, based on capacity charges. He claimed the expenditure of the President House had been increased by Rs880 million.

“They are taxing people more and more while their lavish style continues, whereas Prime Minister Imran Khan had cut down expenses,” Umar maintained.

To a question, he clarified that during their meeting with Imran at the Adiala Jail, there was no talk on his offer of negotiations with the establishment.

The opposition leader said that they will hold a rally in Swabi on August 5.

He claimed that Nawaz Sharif returned under an NRO when the chief justice was changed. He contended that the cases related to Toshakhana should be heard and decided on merit.

Umar Ayub emphasised that Imran has clarified that the army belongs to the people. He accused the PMLN and PPP of creating rifts between the army and PTI.

The opposition leader said that the Islamabad High Court chief justice should recuse himself from the PTI founder’s cases. He stated that Bushra Bibi was supposed to be released, but NAB prevented it, and the judicial system should ensure justice for the PTI founder.

He also criticised the detention of Raoof Hassan by the CTD, questioning the reasons behind his arrest. He expressed concern about the attempts to entangle them all in various cases.

Umar Ayub also conveyed the PTI founder’s condolences on the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, noting the anger among Muslims over his killing on Iranian soil. He criticised Western countries’ silence on Israeli aggression and called for a united effort to establish peace in Palestine.

Separately, PTI senior leader Shibli Faraz, who is also leader of the opposition in the Senate, said that the government has made the law a wax doll, adding that it is dangerous to change the law for an individual.

Talking to the media at the Islamabad High Court, he said that at present there is a legal crisis in the country. The PTI leader said that people are committing suicide due to electricity bills as there is also an inflation crisis in the country.