Opposition stands with govt but opposes its participation in OIC

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif said that while the opposition stands with the government and nation, it was not acceptable to the opposition that Pakistan was still participating in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting.

Speaking on the floor of the Parliament, the opposition leader lauded the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for their retaliatory action against Indian Air Force. Sharif said that this discussion would not be complete if the PAF squadron leader, who shot down the Indian jet, was not mentioned, describing the squad leader Hasan Siddiqui as 'national hero.'

The opposition leader said that the government should boycott the OIC meeting. He said that Indian External Minister Sushma Swaraj was being invited as the guest of honor. "This is not acceptable us," he said. He contended that Pakistan should condemn this and excuse from attending the OIC.

To his protest, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan's stance on the OIC meeting had been sent to the secretary general in writing. He said he will present a letter of the copy to the Parliament.