PTI, PAT urged to allow workers to celebrate Eid with families

Published September 30, 2014
.— AFP file photo
.— AFP file photo
.— AFP file photo
.— AFP file photo

ISLAMABAD: The opposition mediatory jirga urged the protesting Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek on Monday to suspend sit-ins so that their workers could return to their homes to celebrate Eidul Azha with their families.

Talking to newsmen after their meeting, the jirga leaders said: “We have decided to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, PTI Chairman Imran Khan and PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, instead of meeting the second-tier leadership of the three sides.

“We call upon PTI and PAT leadership to allow participants of their sit-ins to return to their homes to celebrate Eid” said Rehman Malik, a member of the jirga.

He said the political impasse would have been settled if there were no arrests of PTI and PAT workers.

Mr Malik said the crisis had almost been resolved because the government had accepted a major demand of PAT and five demands of PTI.

Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Sirajul Haq, who is heading the jirga, said the nation wanted to see the problem resolved before Eid.

He regretted that neither the government nor the PTI and PAT replied to jirga’s suggestions sent on Sept 8 and 18. “The three sides have not replied to the jirga’s letters,” he said.

He said now the jirga would hold direct talks with Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri.

“We want to meet the prime minister before meeting Mr Khan and Dr Qadri,” he said.

The dialogue process has been suspended after the last meeting of the jirga with the leaders of the protesting parties on Sept 18.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2014

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...