PML-N sees MQM's APC bid a move to delay polls
31 July, 2012
LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has analysed the Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) campaign to hold the All-Parties Conference (APC) as part of the federal government's efforts to delay next general elections. Some PML-N leaders believe that the party had committed a blunder by not taking the lead on the MQM. Sources in the PML-N told our sources that in the country's political scenario, the PML-N should have endeavoured to hold the APC before the MQM's meetings. They also said, "The party should have contacted and invited all parties inside and outside parliament to the APC over important national issues, such as holding general elections, overcoming energy crisis and law and order situation in Balochistan and Karachi." "The PML-N is under the impression of being politically isolated. It is now necessary for the party to come out of this state and make contacts with other parties," they said. The PML-N leadership has said that some elements wanted to delay elections under the garb of national security. Addressing the party activists at his Raiwind residence, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif said on Friday, "Rumours are being spread everywhere that the polls should be delayed for one year but the delay plan is wrong and the PML-N will fight all such conspiracies." Talking to our sources, PML-N lawmaker Sheikh Rohail Asghar said that the Pakistan People's Party and its allies had always deceived the nation. "The MQM's agenda of holding an APC is not clear. If they want to invite all parties to discuss the law and order situation in Karachi and Balochistan, it is too late now," he said. "The federal government has failed to deliver during the last four years. Instead of buying time on the pretext of national security, it is time to go for fresh elections now," he maintained. The MQM, in its campaign to build consensus over national issues, has held meetings with the Jamaat-e-Islami, the Awami National Party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl. The parties have lauded the MQM's effort for developing a consensus on safeguarding the country by uniting political and religious leadership. The MQM also intends to hold meetings with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the PML-N. MQM Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar said the party had no intention of delaying the elections. The APC should be called to let all political parties, inside and outside parliament, solve issues related to national security as the country was facing internal and external threats, he added. End.
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