TTAP says it suspected that Bukhari had been compelled to change his earlier position under external pressure
LAHORE:
The Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aain Pakistan (TTAP) has conveyed its reservations to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership over General Secretary Nayyar Hussain Bukhari’s alleged abrupt change of position on the possible imposition of governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a TTAP spokesperson.
However, Bukhari denied making any U-turn, maintaining that the issue had never been discussed between him and the TTAP-PTI delegation.
The disagreement comes as political parties continue to debate possible constitutional options for K-P amid heightened tensions between the federal government and the provincial administration.
Meanwhile, TTAP said it suspected that Bukhari had been compelled to change his earlier position under external pressure.
According to the alliance, Bukhari had previously called on all political parties to sit together to break the cycle of political instability and uphold democratic principles, while describing the imposition of governor’s rule as unconstitutional. TTAP representatives said his position had been unequivocal.
Talking to The Express Tribune, TTAP spokesperson Akhundzada Hussain said he was surprised by statements attributed to Bukhari on Wednesday suggesting that the PPP would consider the option of imposing governor’s rule and that governor’s rule could be imposed on the governor’s recommendation in case of the failure of the provincial government.
Hussain said the remarks contradicted the position Bukhari had previously taken.
He said TTAP had conveyed its reservations to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari through another senior party leader and would now prefer to engage directly with the chairman’s office.
Asked about PM’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah’s remarks during a television programme, in which he was asked whether the PML-N would be invited to the proposed All Parties Conference (APC), Hussain said the PML-N would certainly not be invited.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Bukhari maintained that he had not changed his position on governor’s rule or the imposition of an emergency. He said the matter had never been discussed between him and the TTAP and PTI delegation.
He acknowledged saying that the PPP would examine the proposal if and when the government formally placed it before the party, adding that the ultimate decision rested with the president.
“We are allies in the government, so when they move forward and seek our proposal, we will give our suggestions. Without any proposal being placed before us, how can we give our position on the matter?” he said.
Bukhari said the delegation led by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar had met him solely to extend an invitation to the PPP for the APC. He said he had informed the delegation that he would convey the invitation to the party chairman, who would decide, after consulting CEC members, whether to attend the APC.
Asked about the date of the upcoming Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting, Bukhari said convening the meeting was the prerogative of the party chairman, who could either seek the opinion of CEC members individually or call a formal meeting. The ultimate decision rested with him, he added.
He further said he had been informed that the APC had been convened by TTAP rather than the PTI.
