Opposition parties unitedly demand resignation, not polls

ISLAMABAD: The opposition parties in a meeting on Friday agreed on not to deter the democratic tenure of government but maintained the demand of prime minister’s resignation.

The meeting, chaired by the opposition leader Khursheed Shah at his chamber in the National Assembly, was attended by leaders of all leading opposition parties and FATA lawmakers.

Addressing the media after the meeting of opposition parties, Shah said, "The people of Pakistan and all opposition members want elections to be held on time and the assemblies to complete their tenure but we are united in our demand that the prime minister must step down according to the promises he made to the nation earlier,” according to Geo News.

He said we'll stand by the Supreme Court with whatever decision it makes regarding the Panama case Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report which has evidently laid bare the charges against the Sharif family.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that all opposition members have given their signatures to Shah so he may requisition the assembly session.

“Our fight is not with a political party but corrupt elements in the country,” he added.

"The opposition has shown today that we all want to preserve democracy in the country," said Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed.

Jamaat-e-Islami head Sirajul Haq said, "We want accountability for all as no one should be above the law".

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Farooq Sattar and Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Sherpao also addressed the media and reiterated the opposition's decision to support democracy.

The meeting was conducted to devise a collective strategy pertaining to the ongoing political turmoil ahead of report release.