LAHORE: The participants of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT)-led All Parties Conference have decided to extend the deadline for the resignation of Punjab Cheif Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Law Minister Rana Sanaullah till January 7.
After discussing the future course of action against the government in reference to the model town incident, the participants of the APC hold a joint press conference to announce the declaration of the APC.
APC declaration demands Shehbaz, Sanaullah step down
Quoting the points of the APC resolution draft PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Justice Baqir Najfi report on the Model Town incident had declared the Punjab government responsible for the tragedy, adding a sit-in can be staged in case the said authorities don’t resign.
Terming the incident as an “example of state terrorism”, the APC declaration demanded the government step down in connection with the incident.
It also demanded the Supreme Court form a judicial commission under its monitoring to provide justice to the victims of the incident.
The participants also demanded that a strict action be taken against the “culprits” responsible for the amendment in the Khatm-e-Nubuwwat declaration.
APC discusses Model Town incident, Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification
Representatives of Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP), Awami Muslim League (AML), Jamat Islami (JI), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)-Pakistan, Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) and other opposition parties participated in the APC called on Model Town incident by Tahirul Qadri at the PAT Secretariat in Model Town.
PAT Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri thanked all major political parties for participating in the conference on his invitation.
Now the Model Town incident case has become the issue of the all political parties, said the PAT Cheif.
The Model Town incident and Nawaz Sharif disqualification was the agenda of today’s APC, Qadri told reporters.
He said that blood of Model Town martyrs brought all the political parties together.
“Because of their blood, you [Nawaz Sharif] were held accountable in Panama case,” said Qadri.
“Your character has been revealed in the Panama Papers case and now you are planning to run away and leave Pakistan, which is why you are seeking help from foreign powers, alleged the PAT chief while referring to the visit of Saudi Arabia by the Sharif brothers.
“However, they can not save you now, nothing can save you now,” claimed Dr Qadri.
Warning the incumbent government, Qadri said that they had the option to protest, stage sit-ins or take other measures which are deemed necessary in their quest for justice.
PML-N’s response to APC
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that the participants of the APC were scared of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Parties with conflicting views have joined hands as they are scared of Nawaz Sharif, said Sanaullah.
He further accused PAT Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri of using the Model Town incident for his political advantage.
Maryam Nawaz had also criticised the parties, participating in the APC, saying “fear of Nawaz” forced the opponents to join hands.