ISLAMABAD – The opposition has decided to maintain its plan for a protest and long march on September 27, according to a statement issued after a meeting of the opposition’s joint parliamentary party.
The meeting was chaired by Mahmood Khan Achakzai and attended by Raja Nasir Abbas, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Shahid Khattak, Asad Qaiser, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Salman Akram Raja and other opposition leaders.
The participants discussed the country’s overall political situation, the health of PTI founder Imran Khan, implementation of Supreme Court orders and the opposition’s future political strategy.
Opposition leaders expressed serious concern over Imran Khan’s health and said no compromise would be accepted regarding his health or medical treatment.
The statement alleged that the government had created a “drama” over Imran Khan’s health. The opposition also expressed concern over what it described as the government’s failure to implement Supreme Court orders, alleging that the government had committed contempt of court by not complying with the judicial directives.
The joint parliamentary party decided to approach the Supreme Court on Saturday over the alleged contempt of court issue.
The decision to hold a full-scale PTI protest on September 27 was also reaffirmed. The opposition agreed to invite all opposition parties to participate in the protest and long march.
The meeting also decided to accelerate the public outreach campaign across Punjab and other parts of the country. The participants vowed to continue their joint struggle for the protection of the Constitution, democracy and the rule of law.
The opposition parties further agreed to take future major political and parliamentary decisions through mutual consultation and consensus.
The meeting strongly endorsed the formation of the Grand Opposition Alliance and agreed to make it more active. The inclusion of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other opposition parties in the alliance was welcomed.
The statement said the opposition alliance would further strengthen the opposition’s voice in Parliament and among the public.
