TTAP, GDA agree to work together for ‘supremacy of Constitution’

KARACHI: The leaders of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), in their initial formal contact on Saturday, agreed to work together for the supremacy of the Constitution and independence of the judiciary and parliament in the country.

Top TTAP leaders met Pir Sahab Pagara and other leaders of GDA here at the Raja House. On the occasion, an invitation was extended to the GDA to join TTAP.

The TTAP delegation comprised Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Sardar Lateef Khosa, Nasir Sheerazi, Hamid Raza, Sajid Tareen, Haleem Adil Sheikh and others. The GDA leaders, who attended the meeting, included Pir Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi, Dr Safdar Abbasi, Dr Fahmida Mirza, Liaquat Jatoi, Syed Zain Shah, Sardar Abdul Rahim, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, Syed Muhammad Rashid Shah, Irfanullah Khan Marwat and others.

Talking to media persons after the meeting, Pir Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi expressed his desire that the GDA and TTAP leaders should work to strengthen Pakistan and its Constitution. He said the supremacy of democracy and Constitution would safeguard the country. He said the leaders of GDA and TTAP discussed in detail issues related to safeguarding Pakistan and its countrymen. The GDA leader told media persons that a meeting in Islamabad on February 26 and 27 would further discuss these issues.

GDA leader Dr Fahmida Mirza said the meeting between the two political alliances discussed issues “compromising the national interest”. She censured the passage of 26th Constitutional Amendment and amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, terming them draconian laws. She informed the media persons that both the TTAP and GDA would form committees as the next step to work together to achieve the common agenda.

Dr Safdar Abbasi said the two alliances were on the same page on various political issues and were united in their stance against building new canals on the Indus River at the cost of the water rights of the people of Sindh.

Mahmood Achakzai said he was pleased to meet and listen to GDA leader Pir Sahab Pagara whose grandfather had strived for the independence of the country. TTAP leader, Salman Akram Raja, said the two alliances would work together not to gain power but to strive collectively to secure the rights of the people. TTAP leader Asad Qaiser said all the anti-government parties had been invited to the upcoming grand meeting in Islamabad. He said they were very disappointed with the Pakistan Peoples Party ruling in Sindh.

Answering a question, Qaiser said they had extended an invitation to the GDA to join the TTAP. He said both alliances would work for the supremacy of the Constitution. Answering another question, Salman Akram Raja said they had met the Chief Justice of Pakistan after consulting PTI founder Imran Khan. He said they informed the chief justice they did not accept the 26th Constitutional Amendment.