Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) is in talks with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) to convince the latter to join the sit-in that is going to be held on November 2 in the federal capital.

After the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), another political party – Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) – also hinted at taking part in the PTI’s sit-in. The PTI has also contacted the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) to join them in the march against corrupt rulers.

The party has been meeting with success where it has extended invitation, except for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which has tied its hope with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and wants the premier to resign under the Charter of Democracy so as it can take credit for ending the political crisis. It has already distanced itself from the Sharif government in Punjab to save its reputation.

Imran has termed the sit-in a “crucial battle” against the king of corruption (Nawaz Sharif), and has successfully garnered support of almost all political powers against the ruling PML-N and their allies.

At the inception of his planned lockdown, Imran Khan only had the backing of Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad.

However, the PML-Q leadership, on the occasion of their intra-party election, announced unconditional support to the PTI chief and directed their workers to fully participate in Imran Khan’s protest against corruption.

On Monday, after a successful round of talks between Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri, the Pakistan Awami Tehreek also agreed to take part in the dharna, which started sending shivers down the spine of the government.

Sources said that the MWM leadership has also agreed to join the sit-in, whereas the PTI leaders are in contact with Pervez Musharraf’s APML to win the party’s support.

Almost half-a-dozen political parties have pledged their allegiance to the PTI. In addition to that, the JI leadership seems to be willing to taking part in the protest, but with preconditions.

It is the matter of great concern for the rulers that the Difa-e-Pakistan Council has also announced to launch a countrywide protest campaign against the government, whereas the PPP, which is known as a friendly opposition, is unwilling to support Nawaz Sharif this time.

The party’s leadership in Punjab has made it clear to Asif Ali Zardari that supporting Nawaz Sharif this time will be suicidal.

Therefore, the PPP central leadership is trying to convince the premier to tender his resignation in the larger interest of democracy. In the past, Asif Ali Zardari had removed Yousaf Raza Gilani from premiership on the demand of Nawaz Sharif under the Charter of Democracy. At that time, Nawaz insisted that Gilani should face the allegations against him in the court of law. Now the PPP is taking the same stance: that Nawaz Sharif should resign and face charges against him.

However, sources said that the prime minister has not made up his mind so far regarding naming the new premier of the country. He believes that once out of sight, he will be out of the mainstream for good. Moreover, his dream of making his daughter Maryam Nawaz his political successor would also be shattered. The political crisis is deepening, and prime minister has left only five days to resolve it.