KARACHI, Oct 11: The outcome of a meeting between PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto and PML–N chief Nawaz Sharif, scheduled for 19th in London, would determine the new strategy of the fresh phase of the combined opposition’s movement against the government.

This was stated by Leader of Opposition in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani, who was guest speaker at “Meet the Press” programme of the Karachi Press Club here on Wednesday.

In response to a question, he pointed out that the combined opposition had already started its movement against the government by organising joint public meetings in different cities of the four provinces. However, its new phase would be determined after Eid by the opposition parties in the light of the outcome of the 19th meeting between Ms Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.

He dispelled the impression of submitting resignations from the parliament by opposition legislators after the vote of no-confidence move against the government. He said it was never linked with the vote of no-confidence move. However, it was decided that the resignations submitted to the party chief would be sent to the parliament secretariat at proper time when their movement against the government would be at its peak so that democratic struggle could benefit from it.

When asked whether PPP would take part in the elections if President Gen Pervez Musharraf remaining in uniform called for elections, he said in the given situation, the decision would not be of the PPP but of the combined opposition.

In reply to another question, he said that PPP’s politics was with left centre and part of the combined opposition with Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and had a support of the MMA in the struggle for restoration of democracy, banishing the role of army from politics, and revival of the 1973 constitution to its original form. “When it comes to national interest, we don’t care what would be the US perception.”

Earlier, in his opening statement, Mian Rabbani denied about any dialogues between PPP and the government from the back channel saying the PPP would never compromise on principles, nor it believes in coming to power from the backdoor.

He said it was the government policy to divide the opposition and make them busy to clarify the positions to divert the attention of the people from pressing issues and its anti-people policies.

He accused the government of making the parliament redundant as Gen Pervez Musharraf himself had admitted in his book that all decisions were taken by him alone without consultation from any one.

Demanding of the government to place all facts before the Parliament and take people into confidence immediately, particularly about agreement between Late Nawab Bugti and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Mushahid Hussain about which it was claimed that Nawab Bugti had violated the agreement.

Likewise, F-16 aircraft deal should also be placed before the Parliament when the US was laying it before its Parliament why the people of the buyer country were being deprived of its details.

The agreement of handing twin Islands off the coast of Karachi to foreigners should also be placed before the Parliament. He also called for taking the Parliament into confidence about the details of the messages and talks with the Nato armed forces commander as it pertains to the future of the country and its impact would be far-reaching on generations to come.

Demanding lifting of ban on trade union activities in Pakistan Steel, Shipyard, banks, PIA and other institutions and allow promotion of trade union activities, he said that the PPP was against capitalist friendly economy which was being promoted by privatisation of national assets to foreigners or by handing to a few entrepreneurs to strengthened them.

He lamented that the national secrets could be disclosed in the book of Gen Pervez Musharraf, but the Parliament could not be taken into confidence.

Referring to load-shedding in the metropolis, Mian Rabbani said last week Federal Minister for Power Liaquat Jatoi had announced that there was enough power available with the KESC and from Monday onwards there would be no more load shedding but even after passing Monday and Tuesday and now even on Wednesday in the most sensitive parts of the city where besides the Governor House and the chief Minister House and the markets were relocated in its surrounding, there was no respite from load shedding .