RAWALPINDI: The Opposition’s convention, at its concluding session last night [March 1] decided to form a United Front, composed of four representatives of each of the eight participating parties, to evolve ways and means “to restore democracy, check dictatorship and work for a truly Islamic, democratic and parliamentary constitution”. Disclosing this to newsmen today [March 2], Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani of the JUP said that parties represented at the Convention had agreed to send the names of their representatives for the new body by March 7 and the body will hold its first meeting at Rawalpindi on March 12. … The name of the body and the procedure of its working will be decided upon at its first meeting, he said.

The parties which have agreed to send their representatives are NAP, United Muslim League, JUP, JUI, Jamaat-i-Islami, PDP, Khaksar and the independent group. The door has been kept open for other Opposition parties which may like to join later, he added. The Tehrik-i-Istiqlal party did not attend the Convention.

Meanwhile, the participants at the Convention approved a 12-point declaration to meet the conditions prevailing in the country “with courage and determination. …” — Special Representative

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2023