ISLAMABAD: Leaders of top political parties Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Tuesday pledged to support the “respect my vote” movement launched by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
They extended their cooperation to PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif during a seminar on the topic of “upholding of the sanctity of vote based on the constitution, democracy, the supremacy of parliament and rule of law” at National Library.
Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that Panama Papers was a conspiracy hatched abroad to destabilise Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan was created through a democratic process with a lot of sacrifices but the people’s right to govern through vote was not accepted.
National Party (NP) chief Hasil Bizenjo said that Sharif was removed from office on the basis of holding an Iqama. He said that Pakistan was at the crossroads and all institutions should be respected and the parliament should lead the country in strengthening the democratic process. Those who get the vote of the people should have the right to form a government, he added.
He criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for damaging the politics of Pakistan and for introducing a culture against the values of the Pakistani society.
Bizenjo said that some forces always tried to paint the parliament in a bad light and added that such an attitude was contrary to the interests of the country.
Awami National Party (ANP) leader Mian Iftikhar assured his party’s support for the campaign of respect of vote and the supremacy of the parliament.
He said that there were numerous incidents in the history of Pakistan when aspirations of the people were suppressed and the people belonging to political parties died in violent incidents.
Mian Iftikhar said, “We support democracy and will not accept any conspiracy against the democratic system.”
He said that ANP had a history of giving sacrifices for peace and the rule of law and his own son was murdered by terrorists when he steadfastly stood up against terrorism.
Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai vowed to protect the constitution of Pakistan and said that it was a social contract between people of the federating units.
“I will defend the constitution and will only respect those who respect the constitution,” he added.
All the leaders urged that the youth of Pakhtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) in tribal areas should be engaged and the issues pointed out by them should be resolved.