All eyes on Islamabad as opposition meets to devise anti-govt strategy

ISLAMABAD: All eyes are on Islamabad today where the stage is set for a much-hyped gathering of the opposition leaders aimed at devising a strategy to oust the PTI-led coalition government.

A day earlier, it was announced that sup­reme leader of the PML-N and deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif would address the PPP-hosted multiparty conference via video link from London, marking his political comeback after more than a year. PPP leader and former president Asif Ali Zardari also plans to deliver an opening speech through video link.

Both leaders, who are facing corruption cases, are currently out on bail on account of their health.

Leaders of PPP started arriving at a five-star hotel in the capital, where the conference is being held, on Sunday morning. Senator Sherry Rehman while speaking to the media said that today’s would a “historic all-party conference”.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill, who held a press conference early on Sunday, reiterated the government’s stance that the opposition would not be given any NRO-like (National Reconci­liation Ordinance) concession.

Following news of Nawaz’s address, Gill had warned “the Pakistan Electronic Media Regula­tory Authority (Pemra) and other legal options” would be used if the PML-N supremo’s speech was aired by TV channels.

Rehman, however, said that the speeches would be “live streamed” on social media platforms.

PML-N vice-president and Nawaz’s daughter Maryam has already arrived in Islamabad from Lahore for participation in the MPC and she will be part of the 11-member PML-N del­e­gation under party president Shahbaz Sharif. The PML-N on Saturday offi­cially announc­ed the names of its leaders who would represent the party in the MPC. The party delegation will comprise Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Ayaz Sadiq, Pervaiz Rasheed, Maryam Nawaz, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Rana Sanaullah, Ameer Maqam and Marriyum Aurangzeb.