Formation of anti-government alliance: Dubai political activities fuel speculation

The presence of some political heavyweights in Dubai including Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and former president General Pervez Musharraf (retd) has fueled speculation of the possibility of the formation of an anti-government alliance.
Well placed sources within the PPP toldBusiness Recorder that PPP President Asif Ali Zardari was in contact with leadership of many opposition parties as well as Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman seeking a consensus on an anti-government stance.
However, PPP secretary-general Senator Farhatullah Babar, while talking toBusiness Recorder denied any meeting between Asif Zardari, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Pervez Musharraf. Babar did not confirm either that any effort was underway to hold an all-parties conference (APC), saying he was not aware of any such development. But the party sources maintained that calling of the APC with a view to forging an anti-government alliance was also under consideration.
The sources further said that Awami National Party (ANP) president Asfandyar Wali Khan has already assured his unconditional support to any possible anti-government move together with other opposition parties. They said that former governor Sindh Ishratul Ebad Khan, who is also in Dubai, had a meeting with Asif Ali Zardari on Monday and will soon formally announce that he would join the PPP.
Before returning to the country in December 2016, after 18 months in self-imposed exile, Asif Zardari had planned an all-parties conference (APC) in Dubai to forge an anti-government alliance. But the idea could not materialise due to visa complications of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, sources revealed. They further maintained that PTI chairman Iran Khan had agreed to send either Shah Mehmood Qureshi or Jahangir Khan Tareen but had also sought the support of the PPP in the ongoing Panama leaks case.
According to sources privy to the development, Iran Khan wanted Rehman Malik to assist the PTI counsel in the alleged money laundering by Sharif family, as Malik is believed to be in possession of vital information as former DG FIA. "The proposal is still under consideration and the APC could either be called in Islamabad or a Gulf country," a PPP leader said on condition of anonymity, who also maintained that Asif Zardari will return home some time soon.
The sources said that PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain is in Dubai at present and is believed to be in contact with Asif Ali Zardari regarding the proposed anti-government movement. However, the sources did not confirm any formal meeting between the two leaders in Dubai.
Chaudhry Shujaat on Sunday last had a meeting with former president General Pervez Musharraf (retd) in Dubai and discussed the overall political situation of the country with him. The sources said that the former president told PML-Q chief to play an active role in uniting the opposition parties against the government.
A senior PTI leader, who wished not to be named, confirmed that contacts had been made between PTI and PPP leadership prior to Asif Zardari's return to the country in December last year. He said that there was no harm in uniting with other opposition parties on a single platform and on a minimum agenda against the government.