He said that the moot will discuss the prevailing political and economic situation of the country and it is likely that all opposition political parties may agree to pursue an anti-government strategy under the platform of 'grand opposition alliance'.
The PPP leader said that if PML-N Quaid, Nawaz Sharif, is ready to attend the moot, the PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari would also participate; otherwise senior PPP leaders would represent the party in the multi-party conference.
The latest efforts to unite opposition parties on a single platform were launched following PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari's press conference on Sunday during which he floated the proposal to move a joint resolution in the National Assembly and declare that the 'incompetent' PTI government cannot last long and cannot run the country.
The former president known for his reconciliatory politics, sprang into action after anti-graft watchdogs tightened the noose around him, his sister Faryal Taplur and close-aides involving billions of rupees of money laundering through fake bank accounts.
The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed by the Supreme Court on Monday submitted its second report to the court hearing the fake accounts case in which it was revealed that so far transactions of over Rs100 billon have been unearthed (including Rs47 billion from general accounts and Rs54 billion from accounts of companies) and 600 people connected with the transactions have been identified. The JIT also declared cooperation of Sindh government where the PPP is in power as 'unsatisfactory'.
When contacted, PPP Secretary-General Farhatullah Babar said that Asif Zardari has expressed no confidence in the PTI government and its lack of competence to deal with the economic crises, contending that the 'irresponsible' statements of government ministers are creating a further mess in the country.
"We've come to a conclusion that the PTI government is not able to run the country. So, the multi-party conference is being convened and through discussions on the prevailing situation we will chalk out a joint strategy", he said adding that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has begun contacting the leadership of various opposition political parties.
However, in response to a question, he clarified that PPP neither wants to topple the government nor does it desire to bring a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly.
At present, the ruling coalition enjoys the support of 181 National Assembly members which includes PTI 155, MQM 7, PML-Q and BAP 5 each, GDA 3, BNP 4, AML and JWP 1 each. Opposition political parties' total strength is 156 including PML-N 85, PPP 54, MMA 16 and ANP 1. There are 4 independent lawmakers in the House.
The ruling coalition enjoys a majority of 25 members over the opposition and able to comfortably defeat any no-confidence motion or resolution in the National Assembly. Even if the MQM-P's 7 and Akhtar Mengal's BNP 4 members opt to quit the coalition, the opposition will still be short of 14 members to get any motion passed in the House.
"We are part of the government and will continue to do so", said MQM-P's Iqbal Mohammad Ali, adding that the party expects that the government will fulfil its promises for the uplift of Karachi and Hyderabad.
Talking to Business Recorder, PML-N spokesperson Maryam Aurangzeb said that there was a possibility that all the opposition political parties get together on one platform, adding that the party would soon convene its meeting to discuss the proposal forwarded by PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
Another PML-N leader Musadiq Malik also did not rule out the possibility of a 'grand opposition alliance', saying that they would discuss the agenda items on which the opposition parties can get together during a party meeting.
To a question, he said that it was not yet decided whether Nawaz Sharif would be attending the multi-party moot or not, adding that any such decision would be taken after thorough deliberations in the party.
Senior MMA leader Liaqat Baloch said that talks are underway between and among all the opposition parties to coordinate efforts from a one platform against the government, adding that the PTI led government has failed to deliver on its promises. He said that economic crisis is aggravating and the government has presented no viable plan to deal with the price hike.