MAULANA Fazlur Rehman, chief of 11-party alliance of the opposition called Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) moved quickly in an effort to sort out differences that have started emerging in the alliance over narrative of leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Mian Nawaz Sharif. He convened a meeting of the constituent parties of the alliance in Islamabad on Sunday where the leadership agreed to sign a new agreement of cooperation based on recommendations of the Steering Committee.
PDM seems to be on a damage control exercise as a hard-hitting statement of MNS delivered at Gujranwala public meeting of the alliance sparked sharp reaction not only from some circles within the PML(N) but also from several other leaders of other political parties. The Balochistan Chapter of PML(N) was furious over the uncalled for remarks and resulted into departure of two important figures, who resigned from the party citing their differences over MNS narrative. Maulana Fazlur Rehman himself, in a way, supported what Nawaz Sharif said but some stalwarts of JUI(F) including Hafiz Hussain Ahmad were critical of the statement. However, what mattered much was an interview of PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who claimed that he was shocked to hear singling out names by Nawaz Sharif during the public meeting. This gave a vivid impression of growing differences among the opposition and hence the Maulana moved quickly and wisely to address the issue at the very outset. The fact that the participants decided to sign a new agreement of cooperation is reflective of the desire of the parties forming the alliance to keep the platform intact but at the same time there would be more clarity on what to discuss from the platform of the alliance. It is hoped that the parties would keep themselves away from controversies that could harm national unity and solidarity and focus on pure political and economic issues. There is already an indication that the alliance intends to concentrate on economic woes of the masses who are groaning under record price-hike and growing unemployment. These are the real issues that matter much for people of Pakistan, who have become sick of free for all tactics being applied by all sides for the sake of power.
