Fazlur Rehman meets PTI leaders, proposes new charter of democracy
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman met PTI leaders and proposed a new charter of democracy, which PTI agreed to in principle. An all-parties conference is being planned, with 9 and 10 November under consideration.
- Fazlur Rehman proposed a charter of democracy to PTI leaders in Islamabad.
- PTI agreed to the proposal after an internal meeting, according to Express News.
- An all-parties conference is under consideration for 9 or 10 November; the date is not confirmed.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman met the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and put forward a proposal for a charter of democracy. According to Express News, PTI agreed to the proposal, and an all-parties conference (APC) is to be called soon.
Fazlur Rehman, accompanied by a delegation, also met Senate Leader of the Opposition Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. Express News reported that the talks covered the current political situation, constitutional and democratic matters, and cooperation among opposition parties.
According to the report, participants strongly condemned the imposition of emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing it as contrary to the sovereignty of the people and democratic principles. They also voiced serious concern over the arrests of PTI's chief minister, the provincial assembly speaker and members of the National Assembly, and demanded the immediate release of political prisoners and protection of political freedoms.
Participants backed Fazlur Rehman's call for a new charter of democracy. They agreed that all political parties should move toward one to help the country out of its present crises, and described the proposed APC as an important first step.
The PTI delegation included Barrister Gohar, Asad Qaiser, Barrister Ali Zafar, Amir Mahmood Dogar, Zain Qureshi and Akhundzada Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai. The JUI-F delegation included Senator Kamran Murtaza, Mir Younus Zehri and Usman Badini.
After the meeting, PTI leaders held their own session to consider the proposal in detail and then agreed to it, Express News said. Speaking to the media, PTI chairman Barrister Ali Zafar said the terms of the charter would be prepared through consultation, that Fazlur Rehman had so far only offered a proposal, and that PTI was consulting on it. He said the party wants peace in the country and would take every stakeholder along.
Asad Qaiser said the government had completely failed on economic, administrative and governance fronts. He said an all-parties conference is being called on the charter of democracy proposal, that the date is not confirmed, and that holding it on 9 and 10 November is under consideration.
Why it matters
The proposed charter and all-parties conference involve major opposition parties and could shape the political climate that affects everyday governance in Pakistan.
