Leaders of major opposition parties have agreed to adopt a unified approach in parliament and jointly respond to the country’s worsening law and order, economic and political situation.
The meeting was attended by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other opposition leaders.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Fazlur Rehman said the opposition parties had agreed to work together in parliament and formulate strategies through mutual consultation.
He opposed any move to divide the provinces, saying the current situation was not conducive to provincial restructuring and warning that such a step could deepen mistrust among the federating units.
Fazl said the opposition believed the country could not afford the prevailing political and security situation, while calling for the release of political prisoners and the creation of a conducive political environment.
He also linked the deteriorating law and order situation with the country’s economic difficulties, arguing that growing unrest and violence were undermining national stability.
Achakzai described the opposition’s unity as a positive development, saying the parties had reached an understanding despite what he termed a difficult environment in parliament.
He warned against creating new provinces through executive orders, stressing that the Constitution provides a specific procedure for provincial restructuring. He said decisions regarding new provinces should be made through constitutional and democratic processes.
Achakzai also highlighted rising inflation, unemployment and problems in the education sector, saying ordinary citizens were struggling to meet their basic needs.
Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri welcomed the opposition’s unity and said the country needed greater political harmony. He alleged that citizens’ security, privacy and dignity were not being adequately protected.
He also raised concerns over the treatment of incarcerated PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid and alleged that judicial directives concerning PTI founder Imran Khan were not being implemented.
Barrister Gohar said opposition leaders had agreed to maintain unity and adopt a common position in parliament on key national issues.
He said the opposition would speak with one voice on law and order, inflation and Pakistan’s relations with other countries. Gohar added that the PTI had assured the JUI-F of its full support.
On the issue of provincial restructuring, he said no constitutional amendment could be introduced overnight, emphasising that any such move would require consultation, consensus and adherence to constitutional procedures.
