The Alliance for Change (AFC) is calling on the ruling and main opposition parties to tone down their actions and rhetoric, which seem to be taking the country, and their supporters, down a path of dangerous confrontation.
Pointing to the overrunning of police barricades; burning of an effigy purporting to be that of the President at the ‘Cost of Living’ march on May 8; arrest of the driver of the Opposition Leader followed by the arrest of his bodyguard, AFC said, that if not checked immediately these incidents could spiral out of control.
In a statement issued on Friday, the party called for the restoration of dialogue and discussion between the PPP/C and the PNCR on the many problems besetting the nation, adding that the government has a greater duty to act responsibly.
The party said that no one would benefit from the heightened tension. “These events indicate the growing disrespect and disdain that the parties are exhibiting for each other and we believe that in the circumstances, the religious community and other members of civil society are best poised to broker peace at this time.”
Further, the AFC said, leaders of government, opposition, and political parties must be accorded a right of respect befitting of a civilized society noting that in this context the actions taken against the staff of the PNCR leader have to be interpreted as harassment, which could have dangerous outcomes.
The party added that unless government was prepared to bring to light the most recent accusations of criminal conduct and involvement by members of the PNCR, it should cease uttering such statements.
