LAHORE:
The Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aain Pakistan (TTAP) has conveyed its reservations to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders over General Secretary Nayyar Hussain Bukhari’s alleged abrupt change in position on the possible imposition of governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, a TTAP spokesperson said.
However, Bukhari denied making any U-turn on the matter, maintaining that the issue never came up for discussion between the two sides during their meeting.
TTAP, on the other hand, claimed that it suspected the PPP general secretary had been compelled to change his earlier position under external pressure.
According to the alliance, Bukhari had called for all political parties to sit together to break the perpetual cycle of political instability and ensure that democratic principles were upheld, while describing the imposition of governor’s rule as unconstitutional. He had been unequivocal in his position, TTAP representatives claimed.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Akhundzada Hussain said he was surprised to see statements attributed to Bukhari on Wednesday, suggesting that his party would consider the option of imposing governor’s rule, and governor’s rule could be imposed on the governor’s recommendation in case of failure of the provincial government, which, he said, contradicted the position Bukhari had previously taken.
He said TTAP had conveyed its reservations to PPP Chairman Bilawal through another senior party leader and would prefer to engage directly with the chairman’s office from now onwards.
Asked about PM’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah’s remarks during a television programme, in which he was asked whether the PML-N would be invited to the proposed APC, Hussain said the PML-N would certainly not be invited.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Bukhari maintained that he had not changed his position on governor’s rule or the imposition of an emergency.
He said the matter had never been discussed between him and the TTAP and PTI delegation.
He acknowledged saying that the PPP would examine the proposal if and when the government formally placed it before the party, adding that the ultimate decision rested with the president.
“We are allies in the government, so when they move forward and seek our proposal, we will give our suggestions. Without any proposal being placed before us, how can we give our position on the matter?” he said.
Bukhari said the delegation led by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar had met him solely to extend an invitation to the PPP for the APC. He had informed the delegation that he would convey the invitation to the party chairman, who would decide, after consultation with CEC members, whether to attend the APC or not.
Asked about the date of the upcoming Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting, Bukhari said convening a meeting was the prerogative of the party chairman, who could either seek the opinion of CEC members individually or call a formal meeting. The ultimate decision rested with him, he added.
He further said he had been informed that the APC had been convened by TTAP, rather than the PTI.
