RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: An All-Party Conference (APC) here on Wednesday underscored the need for ending the prevailing political impasse before Eidul Azha.

The APC called by Lahore High Court Bar Association was attended by the leadership of various bar associations and politicians, including Raja Zafarul Haq of PML-N, Shah Mahmood Qureshi of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Rehman Malik of Pakistan People’s Party, Haider Abbas Rizvi of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Asadullah Bhutto of Jamaat-i-Islami and Khurram Nawaz Gandapur of Pakistan Awami Tehreek.

Raja Zafarul Haq said the existing political system was not welcoming middle class people. He said the system would not be refined in the absence of representation of middle class in parliament. He also regretted the absence of basic moral values among political leaders.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said PTI believed in the supremacy of Constitution and did not want to derail democracy in the country. He said his party was waging a political and non-violent struggle for achieving real democracy in the country.

He said PTI had been accused of acting at the behest of ISI chief but the protest of the party was still intact even after a change in command. He

said PTI believed in peaceful protest so that it initiated a dialogue with the government. He said it was the government, not the PTI, that hampered the dialogue process and indulged in violence.

Lawyers of PTI while sending off Qureshi outside the conference hall chanted the slogan of “Go Nawaz Go”. However, the bar leaders and other members snubbed them. The bar was of the view that the conference was a non-partisan gathering and sloganeering in favour or against any particular political party was unethical.

Rehman Malik said the political jirga would resume dialogue process with PTI and PAT after having a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

He said PPP would continue to play its democratic role towards the stability of the country. He regretted the defiance of court’s orders and absence of rule of law in the country. He said injustice would lead to disobedience in society.

Malik further said it was a misconception that PPP had been wiped out in Punjab. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would visit the province soon, he added.

Rizvi of MQM said feudal lords did not let social justice flourish in Pakistan. He said dynastic politics prevailed in the country and democracy was under the control of feudal class.

He said people also did not want to see a motorcycle rider as their representative even on a union council level. He said it was a tragedy of Pakistan that 98 percent people were supposed to be only there to vote while the country was ruled by the remaining two percent.

Haider Abbass Rizvi said at least 45 workers of his party went missing for one year and the people were talking about human rights.

President LHCBA Shafqat Chohan read out a joint declaration through which the government and the protesting parties were urged to end the political deadlock before Eidul Azha. The President demanded all stakeholders to let the participants of dharnas celebrate the Eid at their homes. He said the Election Commission should be independent and non-partisan. He said any unconstitutional move in the country would be challenged and resisted.