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‘Power’ is like game of ‘musical chairs’ Gilani tells Zardari

April 8, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.7 (ANI): In what seems to be an attempt by Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to ‘soothe’ President Asif Ali Zardari, he has described ‘power’ as a game of ‘musical chairs’.

Initiating a debate on the 18th Constitutional Amendment bill in Parliament, Gilani said he has had talks with Zardari over the bill, which would see some key powers of the President being clipped, and urged him to work together to strengthen the state’s institutions.

“When I met President Zardari, I said power is a game of musical chairs. One should not go after a thing that is not permanent. Therefore, we need to strengthen institutions and not persons,” The Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

Gilani said the 18th Constitutional Amendment bill was a dividend of politics of reconciliation, and added that it would strengthen institutions and create a balance of power between the President and Parliament.

“It was the acumen of all political forces, including Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, who realised their past mistakes and signed the Charter of Democracy for the restoration of real democracy in the country,” Gilani said.

Gilani stressed that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government believed in national harmony, and that it would make ‘all-out efforts’ to resolve problems facing the country. (ANI)

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Rafique urges Zardari to avoid joint session until approval of reforms

March 8, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar 8(ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader MNA Khawaja Saad Rafique reckons that Pakistan President Asif Zardari should avoid addressing the joint session of the parliament until the approval of the constitutional reforms.

Rafique said the PML-N would not remain silent if Zardari addresses parliament before the approval of the reforms, The Daily Times reports.

He said Zardari must play his role to strengthen democracy as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has signed the Charter of Democracy (CoD), and also asked the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid to sign it.

Rafique further said that the PML-N would be the beneficiary if mid-term elections were held in the country, but stressed that the party would not support any un-democratic step. (ANI)

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Implementation of Article 6 in Pak would result in hanging of 2-3 lakh: MQM

September 7, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Karachi, Sep 7 (ANI): Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has has said that even after 62 years of Independence, the concept of one nation was not flourishing in Pakistan.

Reading out Article 6 from the Constitution and certain clauses relating to the appointment of judges of the superior courts from the Charter of Democracy, Altaf said implementation of Article 6 would result in the hanging of 200,000 to 300,000 people.

He observed that the PPP and the PML-N were not implementing the CoD.

The MQM chief announced to forgive PML-N president Nawaz Sharif, Army officials, law-enforcement and intelligence agencies, who had launched the June 1992 operation against his party.

He asked the government to constitute a truth and reconciliation commission to identify the persons responsible for all wrongdoings, including imposition of martial laws and abrogation of the Constitution so that they could be asked to come forward to make a public apology over their wrongdoings.

He said this in his telephonic address from London at an Iftar party hosted in the honour of journalists, columnists and anchorpersons at the Lal Qila ground here on Sunday.

The MQM chief called upon Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to convene an all-party conference to discuss and resolve all the longstanding issues, including the problem of Balochistan.

He asked the government to stop the operation in Balochistan, recover all the missing persons and hold talks to resolve the problem. (ANI)

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Sharifs soften stance against Musharraf trial under Saudi pressure

September 7, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Sep 7 (ANI): The Sharif brothers and top leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are believed to have softened their demand for the trial of former President Pervez Musharraf owing to international pressure by his guarantors, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Well-placed party sources said that the PML-N central leadership would take the party hierarchy into confidence about the pressure for softening their anti-Musharraf stance and to chalk out the party’s new plan of action to prepare it for next elections at party’s scheduled CEC meeting in Murree on Monday.

Sources attach great importance to Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia in next few days where apart from performing Umrah he is expected to meet the Saudi high-ups in the backdrop of Musharraf’s recent visit to the Kingdom and his meeting with the King Abdullah.

The Nation quoted sources as saying that Saudi authorities have already conveyed to the Sharifs to take soft stance on Musharraf’s trial as the Kingdom regards him needy for help and cooperation as they were while out of power.

The meeting, sources further said, would discuss and evolve a comprehensive strategy to hold party’s elections but after pushing it through an intense process of restructuring and reorganization at grass root level in all parts of the country.

The CEC meeting would decide about the election timeframe either by the end of this year or early next year.

The meeting would also take host of political issues for consideration including PML-N, PPP relations, law and order situation in Balochistan, fate of Local Bodies and implementation of Charter of Democracy by the PPP-led coalition government, they added. (ANI)

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Rocket attack kills two in Balochistan, even as PM talks of progress

August 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Quetta/Islamabad, Aug.22 (ANI) Even as Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani talked about progress being made in Balochistan, the country’s largest province, a rocket attack in the Mashkel area near the Pakistan-Iran border killed two people and wounded two others on Saturday.

According to the Dawn, militants fired 14 rockets in the Mashkel area of Washuk district, most of which landed in deserted places.

One rocket, however, hit a house in the Mashkel township, killing two women and wounding two minor children.

Meanwhile, Gilani said in a statement that his government is trying its best to make Gwadar port operational, and that a road connection to Iran is expected to be completed within the year.

Gilani also said that port charges have been reduced by ten per cent to facilitate trade.

Addressing the issue of local body governments, Gilani said that former president Pervez Musharraf tampered with the local bodies system and the provinces will have authority to handle the system as provided in the constitution.

Gilani also spoke about measures being taken to ensure accountability. He said that a new bill will be presented in the Parliament after consultation with opposition parties and the Charter of Democracy will be utilized to frame the bill.

He further added that the views of all concerned parties including Altaf Hussain have been forwarded to the President, who is to meet with Baloch leaders after his return from China. ANI)

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No personal grudge against Musharraf but trial a ‘must’: Sharif

August 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Aug. 22 (ANI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said his party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had no personal grudge against former President General Pervez Musharraf, but that it was a unanimous call of the country to try the former general under Article 6 for disregarding the Constitution.

Interacting with media persons at Punjab House here, Sharif said Musharraf’s trial is ‘must’ to ensure supremacy of law.

“It is a golden opportunity to block the path of military interventions and if the government does not move against the dictator, it would be a great disappointment for the nation,” Sharif said.

He said with the Supreme Court declaring Musharraf’s November 3, 2007 acts as ‘illegal’ and ‘extrajudicial’, the Government had no option but to try the former military ruler.

Sharif also threatened that the PML-N would come out of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms if the PPP government fails to revoke the 17th Constitutional Amendment as soon as possible.

He also regretted the delay in implementation of the Charter of Democracy (CoD) in true letter and spirit.

Earlier, in a meeting with his close associates and party workers, Sharif expressed disappointment at Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s decision not to try Musharraf for high treason.

Referring to Gilani’s statement in the National Assembly where he asked the opposition to come up with a unanimous resolution for Musharraf’s trial, Sharif said he never expected this from Gilani.

“I was not expecting this kind of statement from Gilani. He broke my heart,” The News quoted Sharif, as saying.

He said Gilani’s statement suggests that he supports Musharraf’s illegal acts.

During the meeting, Sharif also clarified that he was never approached by any foreign diplomat asking him to ‘forgive’ Musharraf.

Responding to a question, Sharif said British diplomat Mark Lyall Grant had never discussed any deal with him before the resignation of Musharraf.

“Grant never asked anything more and informed him that he is going to the United Nations as the new British envoy,” he said. (ANI)

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Zardari favours reconciliation with Musharraf

August 18, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Aug.18 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is not interested in dragging former President General Pervez Musharraf to the court of law, but rather favours reconciliation with the former general.

Zardari said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) favours reconciliation with Musharraf, and that the fate of the ex-Army chief would be decided by the parliament.

“The thirst for revenge against the former president should be quenched by reconciliation and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government had not ordered the filing of a case against usharraf, in line with Benazir Bhutto’s philosophy of reconciliation,” The Daily Times quoted Zardari, as saying.

Zardari rebuffed the notion of being a ‘power monger’, saying he had declined several offers from the previous regime of becoming the country’s Prime Minister.

He said he wished to further strengthen relations with Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif, and added that all political parties must shun their differences and adopt the course of reconciliation.

He said the PPP was committed to the agenda of reconciliation.

“Whatever parliament does or says, the government will follow it,” Zardari said.

Expressing disappointment over non-implementation of the Charter of Democracy (CoD) in letter and spirit, Zardari said the PPP government is committed to implement the accord as soon as possible.

Supporting Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Zardari said the PPP will always stand behind the Prime Minister.

“Gilani is a very strong Prime Minister and the party stands behind him,” Zardari said. (ANI)

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British diplomat fails to garner Sharif’s support for Musharraf

August 13, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Aug.13 (ANI): Talks between senior British diplomat Mark Lyall Grant, who is trying to garner the support of Pakistani leaders to prevent former President General Pervez Musharraf from being tried for high treason, and Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif have failed to yield the desired results.

According to sources, the meeting did not result in any ‘fruitful’ outcome over the issue of a possible trial of Musharraf.

Sources said that the PML-N chief told Grant that since the Supreme Court had put the ball in parliament’s court, the party wanted the government to take further action on the issue.

According to the Dawn, Sharif told Grant, who is currently the Director of Political Affairs at the British Foreign Office that the PML-N does want to create more trouble in the country and derail the nation’s democratic set-up.

“What we want is that the PPP should honour its commitment on the 17th Amendment and resolve the issue in the light of the Charter of Democracy,” sources quoted Sharif, as saying.

It may be noted that Grant, who had served as the High Commissioner in Islamabad, had also helped Musharraf escape impeachment by parliament after he was forced to step down.

Grant is also trying to achieve reconciliation between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the PML-N. (ANI)

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Military offensive to continue till extremists are eliminated: Gilani

June 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, June 21 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the offensive against the extremists breeding on the country’s soil will continue till militancy is eliminated completely.

Addressing a gathering of thousands of people at the Convention Center here on the occasion of 56th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Gilani warned the militants to lay down arms or face the consequences.

Gilani said terrorists would have to have to face a humiliating defeat, if they do not give up arms.

Describing the slain leader as a brave and courageous person, and a huge patriot, Gilani vowed that Pakistan would continue its war against terrorism and extremism till complete victory, to honour the supreme sacrifice rendered by late Benazir Bhutto.

“The courage and resolve shown by her for restoration of democracy, protection of human rights and preservation of peoples’ political rights, specially the way she spoke for the workers of PPP, has become an authentic and enviable reference of our history,” The News quoted Gilani, as saying.

Terming the ‘Charter of Democracy’ as one of the ‘glaring achievements’ of Bhutto, Gilani praised the former Premier for launching a philosophy of reconciliation which, according to him, changed the political temperament of the nation.

“During her 30 years of political life, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto practiced the principles of reconciliation, patience and positive thinking to achieve her political goals and mission,” Gilani said.

“She raised her voice against extremism even at the risk of her life, to warn the world of the perils of terrorism,” Gilani added. (ANI)

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Musharraf buys flat in UK, to be new neighbour of Tony Blair

May 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, May 25 (ANI): Pakistan’s former president General (retired) Pervez Musharraf has bought a flat in the Edgeware Road neighbourhood where former British premier Tony Blair lives and Interior Minister Rehman Malik possesses a house, sources have said.

Malik’s flat was the venue of the signing of the historic Charter of Democracy between the late Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.

But some of his close friends in London said that Musharraf is looking around to buy a flat in central London, preferably around Edgware Road area where most of the property is owned by Arabs and where a two-bed room flat costs around pounds 500,000 to pounds 700,000.

Others said that he was looking for a villa in Chelsea where the property was worth between two million pounds to five million pounds.

In London, Musharraf stays at the Richmond house of his old friend and long-standing bridge partner Brigadier Niaz, The Dawn reported.

Musharraf’s close friends also insist that he has no intention of settling down in the UK. But his detractors are convinced that he has no plans of going back home, at least until the retirement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

One of his old friends, a former air force officer, Zafar Iqbal, is said to have approached a number of well-informed persons to get an idea about the various possibilities in store for Musharraf on his return home.

Meanwhile, Musharraf has left for Prague where he is scheduled to deliver a lecture at a defence-related think tank on May 27.

Musharraf arrived in London early last month after having travelled to China and Saudi Arabia on what is being described by his friends as a post-retirement extended holiday. (ANI)

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Differences in PML-N over support to PPP-led Govt. to save Pakistan

May 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Apr 28 (ANI): Differences have surfaced during the recent Pakistan Muslim League-N Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting chaired by former premier Nawaz Sharif over support to the PPP-led Government to protect the interests of Pakistan while others have advocated for solo flight.

According to well-placed sources, a number of party loyalists tried to convince Sharif to heed to the voices of US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Administrations that eagerly want an alliance between PML-N and PPP in Centre as well as Punjab to deal with the internal and external crisis.

Even some party leaders suggested Sharif brothers to forget issues like Charter of Democracy (COD), 17th Amendment and 58(2)B and cooperate with the PPP for the time being to focus fully on War on Terror and Talibanisation which was a real threat to country’s survival.

Other like-minded also gave a piece of advice to party leadership “if we do not join each other, God forbid, Pakistan may lose its existence, which could neither be in favour of the PPP nor the PML-N. They said that PML-N must step up its effort for the survival of the country by joining the PPP in Centre,” The Nation quoted sources, as saying.

However, dissidents of ideology of the PPP-PML-N alliance in the Centre recommended that rejoining would bring nothing, but discredit to the party.

They said that PPP had proved to be a failure to fetch the country out of problems and if PML-N joins them at this time latter would merely share former’s failure.

They also argued that one of the major reasons that they oppose the rejoining was the mindset of the PPP that did not allow even its partners to become part of decision making process.

During the erstwhile coalition between the PML-N and the PPP, it could be proved very easily that the PPP did not take the PML-N on board while making major decisions.

It may be noted that foreign powers set the ball in motion for the PPP-PML-N coalition in Centre and Punjab when US special envoy Richard Halbrooke and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif held a meeting at US Embassy in Islamabad. (ANI)

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Autonomy can only pacify deteriorating situation in Balochistan

April 23, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr 22 (ANI): Pakistani lawmakers are of the view that only provincial autonomy could pacify the deteriorating situation in Balochistan and wipe out the sense of deprivation among smaller provinces.

The lawmakers also demanded judicial inquiry into the murder of three Baloch nationalist leaders in Turbat, Balochistan and stressed upon the government to implement recommendations of the special parliamentary committee on Balochistan.

Initiating debate over the adjournment motion regarding murder of the nationalist leaders and overall law and order situation in Balochistan, PPP Senator Lashkari Raisani said that measures taken for eliminating the sense of deprivation among the people of the province were vital for preventing the situation from getting worse.

He said dictators were responsible for the present situation, saying General Zia had turned Balochistan and NWFP into arms depots during the Afghan war, The Nation reported.

He demanded constitution of a fact-finding mission and a constitutional package for compensating the aggrieved people of the province.

ANP senator Zahid Khan, too, blamed General Zia regime for the present crises and demanded that provinces should be given the right over their resources.

He said Charter of Democracy was a precious document, but it couldn’t resolve the entire problems, as it lacked provision for provincial autonomy, which is the root cause of majority of the national problems.

Meanwhile, the legislators entered into a severe verbal brawl over the remarks of PML-N Senator Javed Ali Shah. After the ANP and tribal senators strongly protested, his remarks were expunged from the record. (ANI)

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Nawaz party not rejoining federal cabinet

April 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, April 13 (IANS) The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz of opposition leader Nawaz Sharif has all but rejected Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s invitation to rejoin the federal cabinet, saying it would, however, cooperate with the government.

‘We will cooperate with the government on all important issues but we do not want to join the government,’ PML-N spokesman Siddiqul Farooq told reporters here Monday.

‘However, a final decision on this will be taken by Nawaz Sharif,’ he added.

Dawn News channel quoted Ashfaq Sarwar, the special advisor to the punjab chief minister, as saying PML-N bosses were under pressure from the rank and file to stay out of the federal government.

On Sunday, Gilani had formally invited the PML-N to return to the government, saying the issues on which it had walked out last year had either been resolved or were in the process of being ironed out.

Gilani conveyed the invitation during a meeting here Sunday with Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab province and Nawaz Sharif’s younger brother.

Gilani’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the PML-N, along with two smaller outfits, had formed a coalition after their one-two finish at the February 2008 general elections.

The PML-N, however, walked out when PPP co-chair and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari reneged on two key pledges made in the charter of democracy governance agenda the two parties had agreed on before the elections.

One of these related to the reinstatement of sacked Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and the other apex and high court judges then president Pervez Musharraf had dismissed after imposing an emergency Nov 3, 2007.

The other was the repeal of the 17th constitutional amendment Musharraf had pushed through in 2003 transferring key executive powers from the prime minister’s office to the presidency.

These include the power to appoint the service chiefs and the Supreme Court chief justice, as also to dismiss the federal and provincial governments, the lower house of parliament and the provincial legislatures.

The judges were restored last month after Nawaz Sharif led a high octane lawyers’ ‘long march’ to Islamabad that was also meant to protest a Supreme Court ruling barring, on corruption charges, him and Shahbaz Sharif from contesting elections or holding public office.

The verdict saw the younger Sharif losing his job as Punjab chief minister but he got it back after the federal government appealed the verdict and the Supreme Court stayed its order.

As for the 17th amendment, the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament has formed a committee to work out the modalities of repealing it.

Once that happens, the presidency will be left with only ceremonial powers.

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Pakistan’s parliament moves to implement governance agenda

April 11, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, April 10 (IANS) Pakistan’s political equations are set for a sea-change with the lower house of parliament Friday moving to implement the governance agenda, which envisages power being centred in the prime minister’s office, that the ruling party and its now estranged partner had agreed on before elections last year.

The National Assembly Friday unanimously approved a resolution to form a committee for implementing the Charter of Democracy (CoD), with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani saying the nation and political forces should unite to resolve issues.

‘We will ensure the supremacy of parliament, will restore constitution of 1973 in its original form and eliminate amendments made during dictatorship,’ Gilani maintained.

Once this happens, key powers will be transferred back to the prime minister’s office from the presidency, which will then play only a ceremonial role.

These include the powers to appoint the service chiefs and the Supreme Court chief justice and also to dismiss the federal and provincial governments and dissolve the National Assembly and the provincial legislatures.

More importantly, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which had quit the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led federal coalition over the non-implementation of the CoD, could well return to the government.

The National Assembly resolution came a day after President Asif Zardari Thursday urged Gilani to ‘take appropriate steps to fulfill the promise made in my address to parliament by urgently initiating the process for implementing the Charter of Democracy (CoD) and repeal of the 17th Amendment’.

‘How best to implement the CoD is, of course, the prerogative of parliament to decide,’ Zardari said in a letter to Gilani, his first since assuming office.

Describing the charter as ‘our compass in the rough sea and a guide to the future’, Zardari said it was ‘the goal of our political endeavour and a beacon of light towards which we should seek to move’.

Former prime ministers Benzair Bhutto of the PPP and Nawaz Sharif of the PML-N had agreed on the CoD in October 2007 ahead of the general elections originally scheduled for January 2008.

Bhutto’s assassination Dec 27, 2007 pushed the polls back by a month and saw the PPP and the PML-N posting a one-two finish.

The two parties, along with smaller regional groupings formed a coalition but walked out when Zardari reneged on the promises made in the governance agenda.

One of these related to restoring Supreme Court chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and the other apex and high court judges then president Pervez Musharraf had sacked after imposing an emergency Nov 3, 2007.

The other related to the repeal of 17th constitutional amendment that Musharraf had pushed through in 2003 stripping the prime minister’s office of its key powers.

The judges were restored last month after Nawaz Sharif led a high-voltage lawyers’ ‘long march’ to Islamabad.

The protest also saw Gilani emerging with the aura of a statesman at the cost of Zardari, who gave in on the issue only after the prime minister and army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani read him the riot act.

On March 22, the day Chaudhry and the other sacked judges were reinstated, Gilani and Sharif met for lunch at the latter’s country villa on the outskirts of Lahore.

Thereafter, Gilani formally invited the PML-N to rejoin the government, but Sharif has said this would not happen ‘for the moment’.

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Nawaz says he “forgot his anger” in national interest

April 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Apr. 4 (ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif has claimed that he has forgotten his anger in the national interest and agreed to work with other parties for building Pakistan.

Addressing party workers in Raiwind, he said he wanted to support the government for fulfilling the national agenda, but linked his working with the government to the implementation of the Charter of Democracy.

“The politicians should not engage in fighting and work in unison for resolution of the serious problems being faced by the country,” The News quoted Nawaz Sharif, as saying.

He said the long march was launched in the national interest, which led to the restoration of the deposed judges overnight. Had it been for personal interest, the objective might not have been achieved, he added.

Sharif said the people of Pakistan would themselves have to confront the elements attempting to derail the democracy. (ANI)

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Sharif welcomes Zardari’s reconciliation policy

March 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar 29 (ANI): PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif today welcomed President Asif Ali Zardar’s address to the joint sitting of the Parliament, saying that it will strengthen democracy in Pakistan.

“We welcome the reconciliation policy of President Zardari, as the harmony among the political parties would strengthen democracy,” Sharif said.

He said if the Charter of Democracy (CoD) is implemented, then extending hands of friendship towards Zardari was not an issue.

In a meeting with the Malaysian High Commissioner, Ahmad Shizan at Raiwind here, Sharif said that by getting the judiciary restored the first step towards the goal has been achieved and now striving for strengthening other organizations.

Earlier, the central leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-N seemed reluctant to comment on the Zardari’s address to the joint sitting of the Parliament on Saturday. The PML-N does not seem to be fully content with the President’s announcements.

Shahbaz Sharif’s spokesman Senator Pervez Rasheed said the reaction would be expressed in full detail on Sunday. (ANI)

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Nawaz holds Musharraf responsible for current Pak crisis

March 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Mardan (Pakistan), Mar. 28 (ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif has held former President Pervez Musharraf responsible for the current crisis being faced by the nation.

He squarely blamed Musharraf for taking unconstitutional steps and making wrong policies.
“There is no doubt that none, except Pervez Musharraf, is responsible for the current crisis because of his wrong polices, especially in the backdrop of NWFP. It was Musharraf, the ex-general, who had not only bulldozed all the democratic institutions of the country, but also placed the serving Chief Justice under house arrest along with his other colleagues for the first time in the country’s history,” The Nation quoted Nawaz, as saying.

The former Pakistan premier said that only the implementation of the Charter of Democracy (CoD) is the solution of all challenges being faced by the country.

“For democratic revolution in the country, it is need of the hour that we should implement CoD. If this document is followed in letter and spirit, I guarantee that the country will come out of the crises smoothly,” he said.

Addressing the Provincial Executive Council meeting in Mardan, Nawaz said that the judiciary was restored because of the people of NWFP’s commitment to have a free and independent judiciary.

“Either it was the struggle of Pakistan’s independence or the movement for the restoration of the deposed judges, the people of the NWFP always played a vital role which is evident from the fact that they participated in large numbers in the Long March.

Former federal minister Haji Yaqoob Khan also announced to join the PML-N on this occasion. (ANI)

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Zardari’s parliamentary address will be crucial for PPP, PML-N ties

March 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Mar. 25 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s upcoming address to a joint session of the parliament would decide his party’s future relations with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

The PML-N is waiting for the upcoming presidential address to parliament before making a decision on the future of its relations with the ruling Pakistan People’s Party.

Zardari is scheduled to address a joint sitting of parliament this weekend. The PML-N is looking forward to an announcement on the implementation of the 17th Amendment and the Charter of Democracy (CoD.

“We want concrete actions-mere promises will not serve the purpose. If President Zardari makes some concrete announcements with definite timeframe we are ready to work together,” the Daily Times quoted a PML-N leader, as saying.

The PML-N leaders have told Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani that presidential address would be a ‘litmus test’ for his efforts for reconciliation between the two parties, the PML-N source said.

Contrary to a perception that things have been settled between the PPP and the PML-N, the fact is that it was just a beginning of a shift towards normalcy in bilateral relations despite efforts by Gilani, he added.

Another PML-N leader said his party wanted to reverse all the actions taken by former president Pervez Musharraf.

“We want to reverse all the things except an increase in women’s representation, voter age limit and a few other issues. But we don’t agree with the constitutional package drafted by the PPP,” he said. (ANI)

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PML-N will not join Pak government: Nawaz Sharif

March 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar.25 (ANI): While speculations are rife that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would join hands again for forming a government in Punjab, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has ruled this possibility out.

Talking to media persons here, Sharif said his party would cooperate with the federal government without asking for any cabinet space.

He expressed the hope that the Charter of Democracy (COD) would implemented soon, and also called upon President Asif Ali Zardari to fulfill his promises.

“I had told Prime Minister Gilani that the two parties could join hands by implementing the Charter of Democracy,” The News quoted Sharif, as saying.

Sharif, however, refused to comment on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) upon which he had vehemently attacked the Zardari regime during the protest rallies earlier this month. (ANI)

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Zardari satisfied with PML-N’s positive response

March 24, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Mar 24 (ANI): President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed satisfaction over the positive response by the PML-N leadership to the government’s reconciliatory overtures, saying the process should move forward to strengthen political system in the country.

The President expressed these remarks in a meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani after giving away awards to the distinguished personalities in various fields on the occasion of Pakistan Day at the President’s House.

Gilani apprised the President of his interaction with PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif in Lahore on Sunday.

He advised Zardari to convene a joint session of parliament on March 28 to start the second parliamentary year of the National Assembly. Gilani is also trying to arrange a Zardari-Nawaz meeting.

“PML-N is ready to negotiate with PPP on all the issues including implementation of the Charter of Democracy (CoD) in letter and spirit,” sources cited Gilani as telling the President.

Zardari said he was supportive of the reconciliatory efforts, as he had said goodbye to the politics of confrontation for working jointly for the development of the country.

Matters pertaining to the Governor Rule in Punjab, review petition in Sharif brothers’ disqualification case in the Supreme Court and Presidential address to the joint session of the Parliament were also discussed during the meeting between the President and the Prime Minister, sources added.

According to sources, the President said he welcomed the positive signals from the PML-N leadership and was willing to meet them for national reconciliation.

“PML-N has sent good wishes to the President inviting him to jointly move forward but at the same time it wants to wait and see till restoration of Punjab Government and lifting of Governor Rule,” The Nation quoted sources, as saying.

The PML-N is waiting to see as to how and when the hurdles are removed in the way of restoration of Shahbaz Sharif’s Government in Punjab. (ANI)

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