PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari invited on Friday former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is in London, to virtually attend the opposition’s all-parties conference (APC) of the combined opposition scheduled to take place on September 20.
Bilawal Bhutto’s invitation
According to details, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a telephonic conversation with Nawaz Sharif.
The PPP sources claimed that Nawaz Sharif had accepted the invitation. Bilawal said on twitter that he called Nawaz to inquire after him and to request him to attend the APC.
Just spoke to Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif. Enquired about his health. Also invited him to virtually attend opposition APC, hosted by PPP, on 20th September.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) September 18, 2020
Maryam Nawaz’s confirmation
Later on, Maryam Nawaz confirmed Bilawal’s invitation via twitter.
Thank you Bilawal. Warm regards & prayers. https://t.co/pl5P6CmR1Z
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) September 18, 2020
The PPP is active for finalizing the agenda of the upcoming all parties conference (APC) and contacted PML-N to discuss its points, reports said on Friday. PPP leadership has sought recommendations from the opposition parties to finalize the agenda of the APC.
PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari and senior leader Farhatullah Babar contacted PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal and consulted over the APC’s agenda. Sources said that PML-N apprised PPP regarding the points to be included in the agenda. The PPP will give a final shape to the agenda after receiving recommendations from all the opposition parties.
Later, a delegation of PPP met PML-N leaders including Ahsan Iqbal, Marriyum Aurangzeb, and others in Islamabad. Nayyar Bukhari and Sherry Rehman represented the PPP in the meeting. They held discussions over the upcoming APC.
Earlier, Nawaz had spoken to JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman and assured him that the PML-N would cooperate with the joint opposition in the future. Fazl complained to Nawaz that major political parties like the PML-N and PPP had been playing the role of a “friendly opposition” in the parliament despite being signatories to a joint communiqué issued by the opposition parties.
The joint communiqué had, after the 2018 elections, termed the PTI government a product of stolen, illegal, and unconstitutional mandate. Opposition parties, including the PPP, PML-N, and JUI-F, have said that they will use the platform to try to come up with a joint strategy focused on ousting the incumbent government.
The APC will convene at the Zardari House in Islamabad on September 20. Their focus is on driving out the incumbent government.
“The situation in the country has reached a stage where we cannot afford even a moment’s delay,” JUI-F’s Durrani said, “We want free and fair elections in the country, with no interference whatsoever.”
Speaking on the upcoming meeting’s agenda, he said, “The APC will decide whether there will be a new election or an in-house change.”