PML-Q and MQM's support to Qadri is 'opportunism'
02 January, 2013
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has said that the support of MQM and PML-Q to Tahirul Qadri has established their credentials as "opportunists", who are again out to befool the masses. The reaction came from opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who dubbed them as opportunists "who first backed former dictator Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf and now extended their support to Qadri's long march". He said the MQM had been in power for the last 10 years, and same was the case with PML-Q, who had first supported Musharraf and then President Asif Ali Zardari. He said that both the parties were part of the ruling alliance, but had announced to join the long march against their own government. "Neither of the parties (PML-Q and MQM) has quit the coalition." Nisar said that Qadri and his supporters had supported Gen (r) Musharraf in the 2002 referendum. "After having dictators for years, these people are once again trying to fool the nation by advocating for democracy," he added. The opposition leaders said that those forces wanted to postpone the elections. He said that both opposition and the government would amicably resolve the issue of the caretaker set-up, just as done in the case of the CEC's appointment. Meanwhile, PML-Q leader and Deputy Prime Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said on Tuesday his party supported Dr Tahirul Qadri's demand of political reforms before elections but it would not take part in the January 14 long march announced by the Tehreek Minhajul Quran chief. "There has been no talks between Dr Tahirul Qadri and the PML-Q in this regard [taking part in the long march]," Pervaiz Elahi told a press conference at his residence. The deputy PM expressed concern over the role of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), saying that the ECP "could not stop the PML-N from indulging in rigging during the recent by-elections". "We had already intimated the ECP about rigging in by-elections but our request was not considered and resultantly the PML-N got their candidates elected by using all rigging tactics," he said. Pervaiz Elahi said that the PML-Q's alliance with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) would remain intact and a seat adjustment would also be done in the next elections. "In case of differences with the PPP on some seats, we can nominate separate candidates there," he said. He said the PML-Q would try to form an alliance with other parties, including the Pakistan Awami Tehreek of Qadri. End.
|
