Opp bigwigs up against PPP govt

LAHORE The IJI-like situation is re-emerging on the fluid political scene of the country when on Wednesday bigwigs of parties in opposition to the PPP joined each other at a dinner of JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his Islamabad residence. In their late-night media talk, they took flak at President Zardari-led ruling party by enumerating the issues confronting the country. This one-sided blame game rhetoric amply hinted at the twists and turns of the late 80s when the ISI-sponsored Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) got on one bandwagon for defeating the PPP in the general elections. This is first-ever big-heads dinner meeting since the recent political upheavals, including PML-Ns parting ways with the PPP in Punjab. The leaders agreed to meet again for forging a 'Dheela Dhala (flexible) alliance in the national interest and for the sake of the masses, as they averred. However, the responsibility has been given to Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Ch Nisar Ali Khan to actualise the formalities. The opposition leaders vented their rage over the government for, what they termed, its failure to cope with the challenge confronting the people, saying: The masses have been making a litany of complaints but the government have been dragging feet over the matter. Talking to the media, Ch Nisar said all the political parties in the opposition would have to devise a joint strategy on the national issues. The rulers need to be shown the right way. The hurdles to bring the opposition parties on one platform have thinned, he suggested. Ch Shujaat was of the view that the issues the country was facing were of grave magnitude and the government should take steps to bring everyone on board, but Fazlur Rehman had taken the initiative which was positive. The political parties in opposition will have to join hands in the greater national interest, he opined. Dr Farooq Sattar said no single party could resolve all the issues and get the country out of crisis. Maulana Fazl said all opposition parties had united today, which was a good initiative. It has been decided that a joint role will be played on national issues, he said adding, The country is facing disgrace due to corruption and deteriorated law and order situation. He also said all political parties were united on national issues and a joint strategy would also be chalked out in the next meeting. Sources disclosed that though the formal announcement has yet to be made, informally the opposition parties have decided to form an alliance to devise a joint strategy to steer the country out of crises energy shortage, ever-rising unemployment, surging inflation, lawlessness, corruption etc which have been plaguing the country. The sources said PML-N, PML-Q, MQM, JUI-F, Likeminded Group, National Party and JI leaders agreed align at the one platform. Ch Nisar, Ch Shujaat Hussain along with Mushahid Hussain, Hasil Bazinjo, former KP chief minister Akram Durrani, Dr Farooq Sattar, Humayun Akhtar, Senator Talha Mehmood, Khursheed Ahmed, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and Mufti Israr attended the meeting that lasted for over an hour. The sources quoted Nisar as saying during the meeting that the alliance was formed to restrain the government to take anti-people steps. On the other hand, Shujaat-Nisar presence at the same venue will put a huge question mark on the PML-Qs stance in the Punjab where already majority of its elected MPAs have formed a Unification Bloc, and have pronounced their allegiance to the PML-N, which was being considered an adversary so far. The meeting is certainly a huge concern for the Q-League remnants in the province. Now with this, an easy way out of the 'Q awaits all of us, maintained a visibly disappointed MPA, who has been so far leading the once-Kings party pretty prominently at different levels. Primarily, the simple reason for this yet-to-be named alliance is the fear that alone they would be devoured by the PPP, and can survive only in unity, averred the provincial parliamentarian. By virtue of this, now the PPP has been left alone to fend for itself till PM Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani makes quick sojourns to various political headquarters and residences for bringing estranged friends back on board though Gilani seemed to have already lost the initiative of extending fruitful cordialities with the PML-N since its chief Nawaz Sharif has not 'softened his stance against the Centre. MQM chief Altaf Hussain is also on record for seeking intervention of 'patriotic army generals in order to revolutionise the country on the pattern of recent dethroning of kings and their men in the Middle East. Opp bigwigs up against PPP govt