Daily Times

LAHORE: Former president Pervez Musharraf is all set to lead a 23-party political alliance, a private TV reported on Monday.

Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) leader Allama Zubair Ahmed Zaheer, Awami League President Riaz Fityana, Junejo League President Iqbal Dar and chief organiser Faqeer Hussain Bukhari told journalists in Lahore that they all stood united behind the former president. They said Musharraf would be returning soon to lead the Pakistan National Alliance. Together, they claimed, the alliance would constitute a third political force in the national politics.

The political leaders said the interior ministry had been asked to ensure Rangers’ security for the former president. They urged former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to stop rapping the judiciary and armed forces to divert attention from his corruption.

APML leader Muhammad Amjad said foreign debt kept rising during the PML-N’s tenure. He said the nation prospered in the Musharraf-era. “The media experienced a boom too,” he said.

Dar said the country needed a leader who could play a proactive role in international politics. Musharraf, he said, was ideal on this account.

Fityana said the botched initiatives by government had left farmers distressed. He said health and education standards had also nosedived. “The Pakistan National Alliance will remedy this,” he said. Zaheer said Sharif had little to show despite being elected thrice. “The PML-N wants to perpetuate dynastic politics via the medium of democracy,” he added. Bukhari said the alliance would select candidates with unblemished reputation in connection with the forthcoming general elections.

Published in Daily Times, April 3^rd 2018.