HYDERABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah has advised both sides to exercise restraint and urged the Nawaz government to preclude the option of use of force against the planned lockdown of Islamabad by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Nov 2.
Mr Shah was speaking to journalists at the residence of PPP parliamentary leader in National Assembly, Syed Naveed Qamar, after attending Soyem of his father Syed Qamaruzzaman Shah in Latifabad on Wednesday evening. Mr Shah was accompanied by senior party leaders Qamar Zaman Kaira and Chaudhry Manzoor.
Asked if he saw any threat to the democratic system in view of the present situation, Mr Shah replied: “As I’ve expressed my fear earlier. There can be a threat to the democratic system”.
He said that in a democratic system it was every individual’s right to stage protests and uncountable protests had been held in past. “But there is a fear this protest may take an ugly turn. The government, therefore, should keep it in its mind that it will not resort to use of force and the PTI must ensure the protest should not culminate in any loss of life,” he said.
He said the PPP had waged decisive struggles against three dictators but its leadership always ensured no harm came to the workers. “Our leaders sacrificed their lives but made sure the workers did not suffer,” he said, adding that he hoped Imran Khan would also try his best that his workers were not pushed into a situation which led to loss of lives.
Mr Shah shared details of government-PPP talks over the present situation arising out of Panama Papers issue and Nov 2 PTI lockdown and disclosed it appeared there was no dispute over three of four points and the fourth one could be discussed to find out a resolution.
“We told the government that opposition parties are signatory to the bill [for inquiry into the issue of Panama Papers]. If the government makes a headway on it then I will talk to the opposition parties. I asked them to tell us how far they [government] can go,” he said.
About Imran Khan’s harsh comment against him, Mr Shah said that it was a figment of his imagination as there were no investigations pending against him and (even if there were any) even PTI chairman had faced various accusations from time to time.
“We are experienced politicians and have been deeply involved in politics. We have seen breakup of the country, execution of our leader and derailment of democratic process but Imran Khan has seen nothing of the sort so far,” he said.
He said the onus for the protection of workers rested with Imran Khan and if any harm came to them only he would be responsible for it as it was he who was urging them on all through his public meetings.
He expressed concern over the situation and said “the conditions are quite serious. I hope whatever is the outcome of the protest it is peaceful”.
On a politician’s statement that movements demanded ‘blood’, Mr Shah said that if it was true then the leader should come forward to shed his blood first and not ask the workers for it. “PPP leaders have always sacrificed first in movements and then others followed. We lead from the front but they are asking for children’s blood which only a ‘witch’ can do,” he said.
He said that PPP believed in parliamentary system and it wanted all issues to be resolved in parliament.
About announcement of new army chief, he said the prime minister should not have delayed it. “He [PM] should have taken a decision 15 days back,” he said.
Published in Dawn October 27th, 2016