The opposition parties Wednesday expressed thier resolve to curb any unconstitutional step and they demanded of the PPP-led coalition government to announce the date for upcoming elections and caretaker setup.
Addressing a news conference after the meeting of the leaders of various opposition parties in and outside the parliament including the Jamaat-e-Islami, JUI-F, PML-F, Pashtoonkhuwa PMAP and others, demanded of the government to immediately announce formation of caretaker set-up. They reiterated that the political change must come through free and fair elections.
Speaking on the occasion, PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif has demanded that government should announce the date for the general elections as well as the caretaker setup. Nawaz Sharif said those creating hurdles in way of people's mandate will be stopped.
PML-N Chief said the leadership of political parties has reposed full confidence the elections commission. He said the Chief Election Commissioner Fukhardin G Ibrhaim has been nominated with consensus.
Nawaz Sharif Sharif said all national issues should be resolved within the constitutional parameters.
He said consultations will continue for holding free and fair elections on time. He said government should introduce electoral reforms as directed by the Supreme Court.
Nawaz Sharif also questioned Tahirul Qadri's demand for the removal of president. Speaking on the occasion, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman said that Tahirul Qadri was flouting the Constitution. "Tahirul Qadri is J Salik for the Muslims," he said smilingly.
Replying to a question Fazl said, he did not know what forces were backing the TMQ leader but asserted that the latter was being backed.
Addressing the news conference JUP leader Sahabzada Awais Noorani said that long march should end at the earliest. JI chief Syed Munawwar Hassan said protest will be launched across the country if the elections were not held on time.
PKMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achkzai said some people are resorting to unconstitutional activities. He said any infringement of the constitution will result in breaking the federation.
Leader of National Party‚ Hassil Bezinjo said government should announce the schedule of the next general elections.
Earlier the opposition parties meeting convened by PML-N agreed to resolve all the national issues within the domain of the constitution.
The meeting reposed full confidence in the election commission and stressed that the election commission should not be made controversial.
It also expressed serious concerns on the incidents of violence in Balochistan‚ Khyber Pakhtunkhwa‚ Karachi and the tribal areas and called upon the government to take steps for the protection of the lives and properties of the people.