| Shujaat asks both groups to calm in ‘country’s greater interest’
From Abid Usman
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) senior leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain urged both the government and opposition parties on Tuesday to back down and cancel their political gatherings for the sake of the country.
In a statement, Shujaat, whose party has yet to decide who to side with on the no-confidence motion, said Pakistan cannot afford “dangerous [political] confrontation” in the light of “unfavourable economic and political situation”.
He said the politics of rallies and gatherings was expected from the opposition but the government’s decision to take out the rallies to counter the opposition was baffling.
This political competition could have dangerous repercussions for Pakistan as “enemies of Pakistan” could take advantage of such a situation. He added that the political parties should not incite their followers to violence.
“Instead of making this a matter of ego, the political parties should participate in the voting process in a democratic manner,” he advised.
Reacting to the criticism on PML-Q by the government officials, Shujaat said those who were referring to the PML-Q as a “small party” have forgotten the “major decisions” it made for democracy and Pakistan. “Our politics has always been about national interest,” he added.
It may be noted here that the PTI had announced to hold a million-strong gathering outside Parliament House, at D-Chowk, on March 27 in a bid to flex its muscles and deter the party lawmakers from supporting the no-confidence motion against Imran.
In response, the opposition leaders said they would take out the rally that would be attended by party workers from all over the country.
JUI-F and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had said, “We are going to do a lot. We are going to make them [incumbent government] regret threatening us.” He vowed a tit-for-tat response, saying, “The water is over the dam for the government.”
