Opposition leaders in Pakistan finalize strike programme
By Shiraz Aslam - Pakistan Times Staff Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Opposition leaders conference has appealed the people to make the strike successful on September-9.

In the meeting held at the residence of Qazi Hussain Ahmed here, members of parties were instructed to make the strike a success on the basis of alleged riggings in Local Body polls, inflation, rise in oil prices, need for formation of independent election commission and unemployment prevailing in the country.

At the end of the meeting, Co-ordinator Steering Committee Liaquat Baloch said joint committees of all opposition parties have been formed at the district and provincial levels.

Liaquat Baloch said Qazi Hussain Ahmed including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Benazir Bhutto, Mian Mohammed Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Mehmood Achakzai and Allama Sajid Naqvi have collectively appealed the nation to back the strike call.

A committee was formed to propose amendments in the constitution. The committee comprised Hamid Khan, Hafiz Abdur Rehman Ansari, Syed Zafar Ali Shah, Mian Raza Rabbani, Senator Kamran Murtaza and Ikram Chaudhary.

The meeting also announced that the opposition parties would stage protest outside the parliament and demonstrate their strength by giving a sit-in outside the Parliament House.

Jail Bharo Tehreek

The meeting also decided to launch “Jail Bharo Tehreek” for restoration of democracy. The opposition leaders rejected ties with Israel.

The meeting was attended by Liaquat Baloch, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Gen. (Retd) Hameed Gul, Imran Khan, Gen. (Retd) Faiz Ali Chishti, M. Nawaz Gondal and Allama Abdul Jalil Naqvi.●