By NNN-APP
London : Participants attending the All Parties Conference hosted under the banner of Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) on Saturday urged the formation of joint opposition alliance.
Delegates belonging to 37 political parties and representatives of the civil society gathered in the British capital for two-day talks to discuss political situation in the country.
The Conference was chaired by Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Nawaz Sharif. Those who spoke in the opening session included Nawaz Sharif, President, MMA Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Chairman, ARD Makhdum Amin Fahim, Opposition leader Maulana Fazulur Rahman, ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, Pakhtunkha Milli Party Chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Tehreek-i-Insaf Chief Imran Khan, Tehreek-i-Jafferia leader Allama Sajid Naqvi and ex-President Rafiq Ahmad Tarar.
The conference at the onset offered fateha led by Qazi Hussain Ahmad for persons killed during May 12 incidents in Karachi, victims of the recent floods and rainstorms in Sindh and Baluchistan, Shuhada of Lal Masjid and late Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.
In his opening remarks, Nawaz Sharif, called on the conference to draw up solid guidelines for restoring the 1973 Constitution and bring rule of law and the restore the supremacy of Parliament.
Qazi Hussain Ahmad said supremacy of Parliament, provincial autonomy; independent judiciary and powerful election commission are the key issues before the Conference which also must agree to eliminate the role of the intelligent agencies in Pakistan politics.
Makhdum Amin Fahim endorsed the views of Nawaz Sharif on restoring true and genuine democracy in Pakistan based on the 1973 constitution. He said the country’s political leadership have gathered in London to discuss ways to pull it out of crisis.
He said democracy was the only way for Pakistan and key for its survival.
Maulana Fazlur Rahman underlined the need for strengthening the democratic institutions in the country and said 1973 constitution served as the guideline to achieve the objective.
Afsandyar Wali Khan said the political parties must acknowledge their past mistakes and work together to restore genuine democracy. He said the rights and autonomy of the smaller provinces must be guaranteed.
Imran Khan expressed his disappointment over the absence of PPP Chairman Benazir Bhutto from conference.Imran urged the political parties to sink their difference and struggle together for the restoration of genuine democracy. He also criticised MQM and urged the conference to pass resolution declaring the Karachi-based party as a fascist group.
A message from President, Supreme Court Bar Association Munir Ahmad Malik in support of the conference and for democracy and rule of law was also read on the occasion.
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