Leaders of the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) on Saturday met Grand Democratic Alliance chief Pir Pagara and invited the GDA to a grand meeting of political parties in Islamabad scheduled for Feb 25 and 26.
Pir Pagara while welcoming the TTAP delegation emphasised that Constitution was the foundation of the country. He alleged that current parliament was unrepresentative and illegitimate, which was why GDA members, despite being elected, had not taken the oath.Speaking to the media, GDA leaders said that TTAP had scheduled a grand meeting in the capital and the alliance would decide about its participation after internal consultations.
The TTAP delegation comprised former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Sardar Latif Khosa, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Nasir Shirazi, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Sajid Tareen, Akhunzada Hussain and Haleem Adil Sheikh.
The GDA team included Pir Pagara, Syed Sadruddin Shah Rashdi, Dr Safdar Abbasi, Dr Fehmida Mirza, Liaquat Jatoi, Syed Zain Shah, Sardar Abdul Rahim, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, Syed Muhammad Rashid Shah, Irfanullah Marwat, Moazzam Abbasi, Saira Bano, Barrister Husnain Mirza, Husam Mirza, and others.
Speaking to the media, Mr Rashidi quoted Pir Pagara as saying there was mental harmony between the GDA and the TTAP regarding issues in Sindh and the federation.
During the meeting with the TTAP leaders, the GDA chief emphasised that the supremacy of the Constitution was essential for the strength of the country and its institutions.
Mr Rashidi said that parties associated with the TTAP had endorsed the GDA’s stance against the construction of six new canals on the Indus River. “The TTAP stated that building these canals is a matter of national survival, and they will raise their voice against this decision,” he added.
He said the two sides held open discussions, emphasising that the security of the country was essential for democracy and constitutional supremacy to ensure the safety of peopl
Mr Rashidi said the discussions were also held on the 26th constitutional amendment and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). “Both sides shared common ground on several issues,” he added.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser said that all political parties had been invited to the grand political gathering in Islamabad.
To a question, he said their movement was focused on upholding the supremacy of the Constitution, asserting that they would pursue both public and legal action.
He said they had met with the chief justice of Pakistan in consultation with Imran Khan to inform him that they had rejected the 26th amendment. He emphasised that they were not waiting for a “third umpire” to intervene.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the head of the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, acknowledged Pir Pagara’s historical role in the struggle against British rule for the freedom of the homeland.
