Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. — Online/File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties announced on Monday that they were cancelling their sit-in outside the Election Commission’s office in Islamabad, according to DawnNews.

Instead, the opposition said, it would merely march till the commission’s building.

The decision was announced at a PML-N parliamentary meeting, chaired by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

The meeting was also attended by Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). Other attendees included Sunni Tehreek, National Peoples Party, Sindh United Party, Jamhoori Watan Party and Awami Tehreek Sindh.

The participants of the meeting issued a declaration outlining their demands, but at the same time expressing full confidence in the ECP.

It was decided that opposition parties and the ECP will hold a meeting on February 6.

Later on Monday, members of the opposition reached the ECP office, where Jamaat-e-Islami's Liaquat Baloch presented the declaration to the commission's additional secretary.

A large numbers of opposition parties' workers and leaders were seen collected outside the building, where a heavy police contingent was also in place.

Earlier, on Sunday, PML-N Information Secretary Senator Mushahidullah Khan had said those participating in the march would stage a brief sit-in near the ECP building where some leaders would deliver speeches.

He had alleged that hurdles were being created in the way of the ECP which was struggling to implement the Supreme Court’s order about verification of voters’ list in Karachi.

Nisar had said on Jan 26 that free and fair elections would remain an elusive dream unless the ECP was given a free hand to carry out its tasks.

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.