Major Pak parties concerned over PML-N’s ‘political romance’ with banned Sipah-e-Sahaba
By ANIMonday, March 15, 2010
LAHORE - Pakistan’s major political parties have expressed “serious concern” over PML-N’s “political romance” with banned religious outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba - a step they said opposes Pakistan’s policy on terrorism.
The Daily Times quote Awami National Party (ANP) Information Secretary Zahid Khan as saying the PML-N’s act to seek support from ‘extremists’ in the Jhang by-polls was seriously detrimental to national stability.
He added that no one should ’shake hands’ with extremist elements of society, who were responsible for recent terror incidents in Lahore.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar said any political party that wants to form any alliance with a banned organisation should define a ‘limit line’.
Before making any ‘political contact’ with such groups, the party should have ensured that the extremist group first agrees to adopt a ‘non-controversial’ political approach.
PPP Information Secretary Fauzia Wahab said the PML-N’s political affiliation with the Sipah-e-Sahaba was a matter of ’serious concern’ for the PPP.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Punjab President Ahsan Rasheed accused the PML-N of implying ‘double standards’ as it is a coalition partner of the PPP in Punjab on one hand, while it has the support of a banned religious outfit on the other. (ANI)
