LAHORE: Failing to bring together Imran Khan and Asif Ali Zardari at a time of his choice despite making such claims, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri has delayed an “all-party conference” (APC) from Dec 28 to 30.

According to party insiders, hectic efforts still were under way to bring both leaders on one platform, but the efforts have so far not borne fruit. There might be another round of telephonic exchanges, prodding and visits before the planned conference, they claimed.

The official explanation of the PAT on Saturday for delaying the APC was that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had planned a public rally in south Punjab on Dec 27 and it would be difficult for its leadership to reach Lahore the next day. Similarly, the PPP had to observe death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto that day.

“Both these events are not revelations and were planned much before the PAT chief decided to convene his APC,” says an insider.

Both parties were conveyed the date and they had approved it. Both the PPP and PTI, represented by their second-tier leadership, have announced support for Dr Qadri’s cause. The real issue is Imran and Zardari, who refuse to sit beside Qadri in each other’s presence. The PAT chief himself had made a tall claim of bringing them by his side whenever he wanted.

“If a deadlock between both leaders persists, the PAT may have to make do with the parties’ presence through representatives,” the insider claimed.

On Saturday, the PAT chief also called Maulana Samiullah Haq, who had recently joined hands with Imran Khan for the next elections, to enlist his support both for his cause and the APC, which is now scheduled for Dec 30 – a day before the expiry of deadline for resignations demanded of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and removal of officials involved in the Model Town incident.

Meanwhile, Maulana Ajmal Qadri of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam also called on the PAT chief and assured of his support for his APC and possible protest movement later.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2017