LAHORE: The Chaudhrys of Gujrat, along with Shiekh Rashid, called on Dr Tahirul Qadri here on Wednesday and agreed to invite the Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf to join in their effort to forge an anti-government alliance.

In about two-hour-long meeting, Dr Qadri, Chaudhry Shujaat Husain, Pervaiz Elahi and Shiekh Rashid discussed the current political situation and agreed to persuade the main opposition parties, especially the PTI, to become part of their anti-government struggle even if it partially agreed to the 10-point agenda the Pakistan Awami Tahreek and the PML-Q signed in London early this month.

Shiekh Rashid, head of the Awami Muslim League, has been tasked to convince PTI chief Imran Khan to join the alliance.

They have also reportedly decided to pave the way for the grand alliance during the holy month of Ramazan and kick off an anti-government campaign after Eidul Fitr.

“The fate of the PML-N government will be decided in Ramazan. The meetings regarding an alliance will continue throughout the month (Ramazan). The consultations with other parties are underway and consensus has been developed on several points,” Chaudhry Shujaat told journalists after the meeting.

Pervaiz Elahi said: “It is not necessary that opposition parties should agree to all points of the agenda. They are most welcome even if they buy one point.”

He said nobody could now trust the rulers after they ordered police to open fire on innocent people in Model Town. Unless Shahbaz Sharif resigns, nobody would testify against him,” he added.

Sheikh Rashid said he would try to bring Imran Khan into the grand alliance. “I believe that Imran Khan will eventually join the alliance of the people. Let me make it clear any party that supports the Nawaz government will have no future. Between two and four weeks we will succeed in forging a grand alliance,” Rashid said, adding Imran Khan should meet with Dr Qadri.

On the other hand, the PTI says it may join the anti-government alliance if it reaches an understanding with the PAT and PML-Q on their 10-point agenda.

“We don’t rule out becoming part of any anti-government alliance. However, the party leadership will discuss the matter in detail before making a decision,” PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi told Dawn.

Mr Qureshi further said the PTI leaders would soon meet Dr Tahirul Qadri to know about his programme and proposition about an alliance.

“The PTI and PAT have some common points like their agreement on electoral reforms and the demand for resignation of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The PTI also condemns the PML-N government for diverting Dr Qadri’s plane. However, our ongoing peaceful struggle against massive rigging in May 2013 elections is strictly in the ambit of Constitution and we would like to achieve our goals through such an effort,” Mr Qureshi said.

PPP senior leaders Makhdoom Shahabuddin and Shaukat Basra also called on Dr Qadri on Wednesday and expressed solidarity with him over the Model Town incident. Dr Qadri presented them the 10-point agenda and asked them to forward it to their leadership. Shahbuddin said the PPP would support any struggle aiming at supporting democracy.

The PAT-PML-Q 10-point agenda talks about formation of a “real democratic government” after sending the Nawaz-government home. It says the PML-N government has come to power through massive rigging and an “illegal” election commission and the current corrupt system has failed to address the problems of the masses.

“We will provide employment and residence to every citizen. Those earning less than Rs15,000 will be given subsidy and they will get milk, flour and oil on half price. They will also be entitled to pay no tax on electricity, water and gas. We will provide free education up to matriculation and devolve power at the grassroots level. To make Pakistan a welfare state we will adopt austerity measures and increase the tax net. We will end sectarianism and make the country enlightened,” the agenda says.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2014