The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Saturday discussed the possibility of formation of a grand alliance against the government. Both sides agreed in principle to continue talks for the purpose, conceding a united platform of all the opposition groups as key to launching a countrywide campaign for restoration of democracy.
Acting ARD Secretary General Zafar Ali Shah met MMA's Deputy Secretary General Hafiz Hussain Ahmed for about two hours at his residence and both discussed ways and means to get united under the banner of grand alliance.
MMA Secretary General Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, is scheduled to hold a crucial meeting with Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif in Jeddah any time. Maulana is already in Saudi Arabia.
Talking to Business Recorder after the meeting, Zafar Ali Shah said that there was complete unanimity between the two sides on the need for united platform of all like-minded opposition groups.
He maintained that ARD and MMA were poised to join hands and Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement could also be part of the grand alliance.
"Things are moving in right direction and soon the nation will hear a good news," he maintained.
The ARD leader said that they were of the view that it was time to set aside ideological differences for a greater cause of revival of the 1973 Constitution, sealing restoration of democracy.
"I am representing ARD," was Zafar Ali Shah's response when asked Pakistan Peoples' Party Parliamentarians was missing from the meeting and the expected rendezvous between Nawaz Sharif and Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
The most significant thing is that ARD and MMA are sharing unanimity, he said, adding this would lead to the formation of grand alliance after a series of similar meetings in a short span of time.
To a question, the ARD leader said that they also discussed seat adjustment for the local bodies' elections, and reiterated that neither of the two alliance would cooperate with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League or its allies during the electoral process.