Nawaz, Imran agree to form grand alliance

LONDON—Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI), Imran Khan has met and held talks with former Prime minister, Mian Nawaz Sharif in London, whence according to a private TV Channel, the Sharif Brothers welcomed Imran Khan at their residence on the occasion.
While talking to journalists Mian Nawaz Sharif urged the Opposition to form a Grand alliance for a joint movement against the current regime, and said that he also ardently desired that opposition should contest the forthcoming elections jointly. He also offered any possible electoral adjustments for the occasion, and fervently hoped that these elections would be conducive for democracy and stability of the nation.
He said that re-elections can also be staged after 6-12 months in which the political parties of the Country should muster all their available strength. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday said the motherland was being destroyed by the generals and PML-N’s politics today was only to save the country by remaining steadfast in its struggle and without making any compromises. He said the rescue of the country from adventurers and usurpers was more important than a thousand year rule of the country. Addressing his party leaders at the start of the second day of strategy meetings the PML-N Chief said that there was no question for the party of any compromise on national issues.
He said the country was being ruined by the generals and was now far behind other countries in the region. He said there was a time under democratic rule when Pakistan lead the region and mentioned the state visit to Pakistan by former Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee in 1999 and the statement of another former Indian Prime Minister Narasima Rao who had admitted that his government had followed the policies of the first Nawaz Sharif government. “Today the dictator of Pakistan has to beg the Indian Prime Minister for talks” he lamented. Mr. Nawaz Sharif said that it had to be decided now whether 15 generals will rule Pakistan or 15 crore people will do so. He questioned what had these generals ever done for Pakistan to deserve becoming billionaires at the people’s expense?
Nawaz Sharif said those who were engaged in the glorious struggle to save Pakistan were true patriots and those who were siding with the generals were damaging the national cause. Paying glowing tributes to his party members who stood their ground after the 12 October 1999 coup Mr Nawaz Sharif mentioned PML-N CWC member Ghulam Dastigir Khan for his courage and committment Earlier Ghulam Dastigir Khan, who had just arrived from Pakistan, said the nation was looking up to Mr Nawaz Sharif as their only hope and saviour.
The meeting was attended by Iqbal Zafar Jhagra Secretary General PML-N, Chaudhri Jaffer Iqbal Additional Secretary General PML-N, Chaudhri Nisar Ali Khan Deputy Parliamentary Leader of the PML-N in the National Assembly, Sardar Zulfikar Khosa President PML-N Punjab, Syed Ghaus Ali Shah President PML-N Sindh, Raja Ashfaq Sarwar Secretary General PML-N Punjab, Rana Sanaullah PML-N Leader of the parliamentary party in Punjab, Khawaja Saad Rafiq MNA, Tehmina Daultana MNA and Vice President PML-N, Khawaja Asif MNA, Mian Abdul Mannan President PML-N Traders Wing, Begum Najma Hameed PML-N Punjab President of the Women’s Wing and others.—Agencies