LAHORE: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah has criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf for what he says dividing the opposition ranks to the advantage of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Talking to the media outside late PPP leader Jahangir Badar’s residence here on Tuesday, he alleged that PTI Chairman Imran Khan through his “divisive policies” strengthened the prime minister.

“All opposition parties had unanimously decided to launch a joint movement if the bill they had drafted for Panama Leaks probe was not accepted by the ruling PML-N. But, the next day Imran unilaterally decided to lock down Islamabad,” Mr Shah said.

He said that “we” (the PPP) had been facing dictators but “they” (the PTI) got frightened by a democratic government, a reference to calling off the ‘lockdown Islamabad’ plan by Imran Khan allegedly because of PML-N government’s harsh measures.

Responding to a query about the Qatari prince’s letter with reference to London property of the Sharifs, the opposition leader complained that the media found corruption only in the PPP, while the PML-N leaders had been given a “clean chit”.

To another question about the appointment of new army chief due on Nov 29, Mr Shah paid rich tributes to outgoing COAS Gen Raheel Sharif who, he said, commanded the armed forces in hard times and successfully pitched the troops against terrorists.

He suggested the senior most army general be appointed the next COAS instead of indulging in pick-n-choose by the prime minister, who enjoyed discretionary powers in this regard.

Meanwhile, Awami National Party (ANP) leader and former railway minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour also visited late Badar’s residence to condole with the bereaved family.

Talking to the media, he said his party does accept China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) but not the “China-Punjab” corridor.

“The ANP is in favour of the CPEC provided it does not focus just on Punjab and equally shares its benefits with the other three federating units,” he said.

The PTI, which is ruling the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has also been critical of the federal government for ignoring the province, particularly the western route of CPEC that passes through KP.

The ANP leader chided the PTI government for not doing enough to win rights of the province from the federal government.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2016