May 6, 2002
Six major political parties joined hands to form a "National Alliance" with an aim to contest October elections from a single platform.
The National Alliance consists of Millat Party led by former president Farooq Leghari, Pakistan Awami Tehrik of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri, National Awami Party of Ajmal Khattak, Sindh National Front of former chief minister Mumtaz Bhutto, National People's Party of former caretaker prime minister Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and Sindh Democratic Alliance headed by former MNA Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim.
The alliance has been formed after a great deal of discussion and consultations and keeping in view the grave economic, social and external problems confronting the country.
Former prime minister Malik Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, has been nominated as the chairman of the new alliance.
Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri at the press conference vehemently denied the reports that the new alliance had been formed with the official patronage. Political observers believed that this alliance would later turn into a grand national alliance as other bigger and more significant groups like Muslim League (Q), National Awami Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement may also join the league.
Farooq Leghari while announcing "Islamabad Declaration" adopted by the constituting parties said they would carry out necessary reforms to achieve the objectives. The alliance would launched a movement against ignorance, unemployment, poverty, corruption and ensure just accountability. The Alliance vowed to work for revival of economy, improve law and order and adopt a foreign policy that safeguards Pakistan's ideological, defence and economic interests.
An advertisement agency has already been hired by the new alliance for carrying out its election campaign and a political novice Mehmood Hashmi has been appointed its secretary information.
Farooq Leghari has been nominated as the convener of the Central Coordination Committee of the alliance in which Tahir-ul-Qadri , Mumtaz Bhutto, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and Ajmal Khattat have also been included.
Ajmal Khattak, Mumtaz Bhutto, Taj Jamali have also been nominated as vice chairmen from NWFP, Sindh and Balochistan respectively. Two vice chairmen, Afzal Hayyat and Shafqat Ahmed, have been selected from Punjab. Shahabuddin Khan and Malik Farid Khan have been nominated as vice chairmen from Fata. Mohammad Ali Durrani of Millat Party has been selected as the secretary-general of the alliance.