ISLAMABAD: Pakistan opposition unity will strengthen its role in Parliament and could grow into a wider political movement, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri said Tuesday.
His remarks followed the joint opposition’s first parliamentary meeting at Parliament House on Monday. Opposition parties agreed to coordinate their position on major national issues.
The meeting included Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other parliamentary leaders also attended. Fazlur Rehman said the parties would jointly develop parliamentary strategies through consultation.
Meanwhile, Abbas told the media that opposition leaders had come together for the first time in about two and a half years. He said greater coordination would increase their parliamentary strength.
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The parties identified inflation, law and order, terrorism, the economy, the judiciary and political prisoners among their priorities. They also discussed proposals for creating new provinces.
Abbas said the alliance could later expand its activities beyond Parliament. However, he described the parliamentary coordination as the first step.
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He also said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) could potentially join the alliance over disagreements surrounding new provinces.
Abbas argued that broader political cooperation could help stabilise Pakistan. He also opposed creating new provinces under current conditions, saying the move could increase political instability.
