LAHORE – Former president Pervez Musharraf has announced a “grand alliance” of 23 political parties that will operate under the umbrella of the Pakistan Awami Itehad (PAI).
Speaking during the teleconference with the leadership of the new political alliance, the former president said that support should be mobilised in the rural areas of Sindh in order to defeat the PPP in the province.
Former president Pervez Musharraf, after the formation of a new political union under his leadership, said if elections do not solve the issues facing Pakistan, then other measures need to be taken to bring the country ‘on track’.
The former president further added that the Army and the Supreme Court should only be concerned about Pakistan.
Musharraf said the PML-N and the PPP are destroying the country and the people should be rid of such forces. He added that the PPP has been finished in the province of Punjab.
Criticising MQM, he said that the party and the muhajir community have lost respect. “The muhajir community would do better to abandon ethnic politics and join PAI,” he said.
He added that the alliance between MQM and the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) could not last due to a lack of leadership. However, he said, that it would still be better for both MQM and the PSP to form an alliance.
He expressed hope that Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid leaders Chaudhry Shujaat and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi would join his grand alliance as well.
The former president also advised Pakistan Tehhreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan to “join hands with a group that would take Pakistan forward” while accusing him of only thinking about his own party (PTI).
The political parties that have already joined PAI include the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), the Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Sunni Itehad Council, Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen, Pakistan Sunni Tehreek, Muslim Conference (Kashmir), PML-Junejo, PML-Council, PML- National, Awami League, Pak Muslim Alliance, Pakistan Mazdoor Ittehad, Conservative Party, Muhajir Ittehad Tehreek, Pakistan Insani Huqooq Party, Millat Party, Jamiat Ulma Pakistan (Niazi Group), Aam Loug Party, Aam Admi Party, Pakistan Masawat Party, Pakistan Minority Party, Jamiat Mashaikh Pakistan, Social Justice Democratic Party.
APML Secretary-General Dr Amjad announced an upcoming convention in Aiwan-e-Iqbal, Lahore and a “huge” rally that would take place in Karachi in December.
Musharraf thanked the alliance for appointing him chairman and announced that he would return to Pakistan soon, adding that he did not want any security when he does since the country’s situation is better now.
He said he will return at the “appropriate time” so that the “development work in the country is not disturbed.”
