‘Bankrupt’ Pak Punjab Govt. has no money to pay salaries to employees: PML-Q

Lahore, Jun.4 (ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has launched a blistering attack on the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Punjab, blaming it for ruining the province’s finances to such an extent that it doesn’t even have money to pay salaries to its employees.

Addressing a press conference here, senior PML-Q leader and former chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi blamed incumbent chief minister Shabaz Sharif for the “total administrative and financial collapse of the province.”

Elahi tabled a white paper on, what he called the “black deeds” of the Punjab government, saying that on May 30, the government had only 420 million rupee in its account.

“It (provincial government) sought the federal government’s help, which enabled it pay salaries by transferring money to its account on the last day of the month. That is how a surplus, in every sense of the word, province has been turned into a bankrupt federating unit all because of lack of vision, egotist policies and sheer incapability of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif,” The Dawn quoted Elahi, as saying.

The former chief minister also blamed ruling Members of Provincial Assembly (MPA’s) of being involved in various crimes committed across the province.

“In the last two years, crime has gone up by 48 per cent, which is a matter of official record. All kinds of heinous crimes are being committed with impunity and ruling MNAs and MPAs are involved in such crimes. Extra judicial killings have also gone up. The police budget is multiplying along with the crime rate,” Elahi said. (ANI)

Ahmedis shocked with kid glove treatment of mosque attackers by Pak Punjab Govt

Lahore, Jun.4 (ANI): After the brazen attack on two mosques belonging to a minority sect in Lahore last Friday, people of the Ahmedi sect hoped that the Punjab government would take some important steps to protect the marginalized strata of the society, but it was not to be.

Amazingly, when the provincial authorities should have been dealing with the militants, who were nabbed alive during the commando operation on the Garhi Sahu and Model Town mosques, with force, they are busy in facilitating the demands of the terror mongers.

According to reports, one of the injured terrorists was allowed to use his cell phone in the hospital and the authorities even arranged a meeting between him and his family members.

The Ahmedis have severely criticised the provincial government for failing to act tough against the militants who were nabbed after murdering innocent people.

“Several terrorist attacks have been seen in the past, but none of the terrorists were treated so lovingly… none were allowed to communicate with their fellows, who then attempt to free him and manage to safely escape… God knows what they had wanted to achieve and the worst part is that they are still at large,” The Daily Times quoted Munawar Ali Shahid, a spokesman for the Ahmedi sect, as saying.

“The only option that an Ahmedi has is either to leave the country or be killed at the hands of a terrorist,” Shahid added.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which is in opposition in the province, has also launched an attack on the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led Punjab government, saying the attack on the Ahmedi mosques was a “clear case of negligence.”

“People have lost faith in the Punjab government after the latter contested elections in coordination with terrorist outfits in Jhang and the way the authorities handled the Gojra incident makes it seem that they have an agenda against minorities,” PPP’s Lahore President Chaudhury Asghar Ali Gujjar said. (ANI)

‘Defiant’ Musharraf ready to take on Pak SC head-on if summoned

Washington, May 20 (ANI): Accepting the challenge thrown at him by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Chief (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif, former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has said that he is ready to appear in the Supreme Court if summoned in any case.

“I only hope that justice will be done,” Musharraf said.

Interacting with media persons during a press conference here, Musharraf clarified that he has no regret over any decision taken by him during his eight-year long tenure.

The Lal Masjid operation, Akbar Bugti’s murder, NRO and decisions taken regarding the judiciary, and all other decisions were taken in light of the situation at that time, Musharraf said.

In December last year, Pakistan’s Supreme Court declared the emergency imposed by Musharraf in 2007 as unconstitutional and illegal, and went on to strike down the amnesty law, the National Reconciliation ordinance (NRO), following which several criminal and civil cases were filed against Musharraf.

Responding to a question regarding the United Nations inquiry report, which held his regime responsible for the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Musharraf stressed that Bhutto was provided full security cover, and that the then government could not be blamed for the gun and bomb attack on December 27, 2007.

He said Bhutto’s death was a great loss, but to implicate him and other top officials such as the then Director General Military Intelligence (MI) was part of a conspiracy.

Musharraf said he would return to the country soon and participate in elections, adding that he would formally announce his political party in few days.

“As far as a date for returning to Pakistan is concerned, I have not fixed a date but there is one desire. Whenever the next elections are held, whether they are end-term or mid-term, I will return to Pakistan before that,” The Nation quoted Musharraf, as saying.

Meanwhile, Musharraf’s legal advisor Chaudhary Fawad said that the Supreme Court cannot summon the former President on the NRO issue as the apex court does not have the authority to do so and it can only review the law. (ANI)

Gilani, Nawaz challenge Musharraf to appear in Supreme Court

Islamabad, May 19 (ANI): Joining hands against former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf, both Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif have challenged the former general to appear before the Supreme Court and face trial in numerous cases pending against him.

Sharif, who returned from London after a long stay, had a telephonic conversation with Gilani and assured him that the PML-N would continue to work with the government to strengthen the democracy and institutions in the country.

Both the leaders also agreed to hold a meeting soon to discuss ways to work together to protect democracy, The Daily Times reports.

They also agreed that democracy would not be allowed to be derailed since it was the only way forward to ensure prosperity and welfare of the common man, sources said. (ANI)

Pak Senators ‘up in arms’ against Clinton’s ‘dire consequences’ diatribe

Islamabad, May 11 (ANI): US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s blunt talking has not gone down well with Pakistani law makers, who have urged the government to ask the Obama Administration to clarify its stand over her statement, that Pakistan may have to face ‘very dire consequences’ if country based terrorists succeeded in attacking America.

Speaking during a discussion in the National Assembly, senators from all the major political parties asked the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government to adopt a clear policy on Clinton’s statements.

Clinton, during an interview, had warned Pakistan of ‘severe consequences’ if a successful terror attack is traced back to that country.

She had also said that there are people in the Pakistan Government who know the whereabouts of Al Qaeda chieftain Osama bin Laden and Afghan Taliban commander Mullah Omar, but Islamabad has not shared enough evidence regarding that.

“I’m not saying that they’re at the highest levels but I believe that somewhere in this government are people who know where Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda is, where Mullah Omar and the leadership of the Afghan Taliban is and we expect more cooperation to help us bring to justice, capture or kill, those who attacked us on 9/11,” Clinton had said during CBS’ 60 minute.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Zafar Ali Shah demanded an explanation from Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, to which he replied that only the foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was authorised to speak on the issue.

“The foreign minister himself seemed to be publicly defending India by saying it was not violating the Indus Water Treaty. We should face the US by taking a similar stance instead of bowing down to pressures,” Shah shot back.

Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) leader Salim Saifullah said Clinton’s words were condemnable, particularly after the recent strategic dialogue between the two countries.

Saifullah said he personally knows Faisal Shahzad’s family, and that the failed New York bombing plot seems to be part of a large conspiracy against Pakistan.

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) leader Maulana Haideri termed both the 9/11 and the Times Square incidents as ‘dramas’, which were staged by the US to target Pakistan. (ANI)

I forced India to talk on Kashmir, water and terrorism: Gilani

Islamabad, May 4 (ANI): All those mentions of ‘positive’ and ‘spirited’ talks between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Thimpu seem to be misplaced, as the latter has claimed to have ‘forced’ New Delhi to discuss Kashmir and water sharing issues.

“I forced India to talk on all issues, including Kashmir, water and terrorism,” said Gilani while responding to a point of order raised by the Leader of Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in the National Assembly.

Gilani said he had taken all political parties and leaders, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PLM-N) chief Nawaz Sharif into confidence over the possibility of a meeting with Dr. Singh during the XVIth SAARC Summit.

Commenting on the probe into former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, Gilani vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, saying the killers would not be allowed to go scot free, “whoever they may be”, The Daily Times reports.

“All the culprits will be brought to justice,” Gilani said, adding that the government has also constituted a probe team to investigate washing down of the spot, where Bhutto was killed in a gun and bomb attack on December 27, 2007. (ANI)

Sharifs have turned Pak Punjab into terror ‘bomb’ ready to explode: Governor

London, Apr.30 (ANI): Blaming the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for harbouring militants in the region, Pakistan’s Punjab province governor Salman Taseer has said that the PML-N under the direct guidance of its leadership (Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif) has turned province into a ‘bomb’, which is ready to explode.

Taseer charged the PML-N of ‘tolerating’ and ‘supporting’ extremists, who he said are operating ‘openly’ in the province as witnessed in the recent attacks on minority groups in the province.

“The Sharifs are creating a potential bomb here in Punjab. These (militant) groups are armed and dangerous. There is no way you can accommodate these people. There has to be zero tolerance,” The Guardian quoted Taseer, as saying.

The extent of jihadi groups’ grip on the region can be gauged from the fact that during the recent by-elections in Jhang, PML-N leaders were seen wooing the banned sectarian group Sipah-e-Sahaba.

Punjab”s Law minister, Rana Sanaullah, was pictured on the campaign trail with the alleged head of the group, Ahmed Ludhianvi.

It is also believed that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has deep links with the Sipah-e-Sahaba, which is blamed for the deaths of hundreds of Shias in the region.

Sheikh Waqas Akram, an opposition member of parliament from Jhang, compared Punjab’s situation with that of the Swat Valley, where the Taliban had established a virtual parallel government.

“There can be 10 Swats in Punjab, if you don”t check them (extremists),” the newspaper quoted Akram, as saying.

However, Sanaullah has countered all charges against him and the PML-N, saying that though banned terror groups operate in the region, there is no such ‘Talibanisation’ of Punjab.

“There was no ‘Talibanisation’ in Punjab.Not a single street where you can say there is a no-go area,” he said.

Sanaullah denied Sipah-e-Sahaba’s involvement in any terror activities, and blamed the extremists based in the tribal areas in country’s north-west for the recent spate of violence in the province.

“95% of the people of Sipah-e-Sahaba are not terrorists.We must persuade these persons to put aside their guns, to participate in elections. They have the right to vote, so why can”t I ask them Sipah-e-Sahaba for votes?” Sanaullah said. (ANI)

PML-N leaders sniff ‘third force’ conspiracy

Islamabad, Apr 26(ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders have expressed their fears about some conspiracy or ‘something extra-constitutional’ being hatched by certain elements belonging to the Army and intelligence agencies.

Raising concerns about the conspiracy, PML-N spokesman and senior leader Ahsan Iqbal has said that a third force wants a clash between the judiciary and parliament.

Iqbal did not name the third force precisely in the same fashion, as Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has repeatedly done in recent months, The News reports.

According to another PML-N leader, the Army is trying to pitch the judiciary against parliament and for this purpose it is using certain elements in the media.

The leader, however, did not have anything concrete to support his argument.

After the recent bloody riots in Abbottabad and Hazara, another PML-N leader had voiced his doubts that some intelligence agencies had played tricks to trigger violence in the area. (ANI)

Pak Punjab Govt. providing VIP protocol to jailed ‘Lashkar-e-Jhangvi’ leaders

Lahore, Apr 26(ANI): The Pakistan Punjab Government is reportedly providing financial support and other amenities to jailed leaders of the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ), including top hitman Malik Ishaq.

According to reports, Ishaq, who has been acquitted in 44 different cases of 70 murders and is currently being held for involvement in last year’s attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, as well as other high profile terrorists are getting VIP protocol in prison.

Ishaq is currently detained in a jail in Punjab.

The leaders are also allowed to use cell phones, which they might use to plan attacks with their accomplices outside the prison, The Daily Times reports.

Sources also revealed that it is an old practice of the government as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Governments led by Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif had also extended financial support and VIP protocol to the late Maulana Azam Tariq, chief of the banned militant organisation Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, when he was in prison.

Tariq was even provided with a mobile squad and police security whenever he went out of the prison, they added. (ANI)

PML-N leaders sniff ‘third force’ conspiracy

Islamabad, Apr 26(ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders have expressed their fears about some conspiracy or ‘something extra-constitutional’ being hatched by certain elements belonging to the Army and intelligence agencies.

Raising concerns about the conspiracy, PML-N spokesman and senior leader Ahsan Iqbal has said that a third force wants a clash between the judiciary and parliament.

Iqbal did not name the third force precisely in the same fashion, as Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has repeatedly done in recent months, The News reports.

According to another PML-N leader, the Army is trying to pitch the judiciary against parliament and for this purpose it is using certain elements in the media.

The leader, however, did not have anything concrete to support his argument.

After the recent bloody riots in Abbottabad and Hazara, another PML-N leader had voiced his doubts that some intelligence agencies had played tricks to trigger violence in the area. (ANI)

Pak Punjab Govt. providing VIP protocol to jailed ‘Lashkar-e-Jhangvi’ leaders

Lahore, Apr 26(ANI): The Pakistan Punjab Government is reportedly providing financial support and other amenities to jailed leaders of the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ), including top hitman Malik Ishaq.

According to reports, Ishaq, who has been acquitted in 44 different cases of 70 murders and is currently being held for involvement in last year’s attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, as well as other high profile terrorists are getting VIP protocol in prison.

Ishaq is currently detained in a jail in Punjab.

The leaders are also allowed to use cell phones, which they might use to plan attacks with their accomplices outside the prison, The Daily Times reports.

Sources also revealed that it is an old practice of the government as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Governments led by Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif had also extended financial support and VIP protocol to the late Maulana Azam Tariq, chief of the banned militant organisation Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, when he was in prison.

Tariq was even provided with a mobile squad and police security whenever he went out of the prison, they added. (ANI)

PML-N calls for murder proceedings against Musharraf over Bhutto’s assassination

Islamabad, Apr.17 (ANI): Following the UN enquiry commission’s report over former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, which held the then Musharraf regime responsible for the killing, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has once again raised the demand for the former general’s trial.

PML-N spokesperson Parvaiz Rashid said the UN report has made it apparent that Musharraf was directly involved in Bhutto’s assassination, and now the government must not waste any time to start the former President’s trial.

“The nation wants to know the facts and reasons as to why the government is still not ready to start the murder case proceedings,” The News quoted Rashid, as saying.

He also questioned the government’s move to spend billions of rupees on the probe without any substantial action against those who masterminded the deadly attack on Bhutto on December 27, 2007.

The UN enquiry commission’s report has blamed the then Musharraf government of ‘deliberately’ failing to probe the December 2007 gun and bomb attack, saying the tragedy could have been averted had adequate security arrangements been in place.

“The Musharraf government failed to provide foolproof security to Ms. Bhutto which ultimately allowed a lethal assault on her. The security breach left wide-open room for an attack to happen,” the report said in its opening remarks. (ANI)

Zardari’s key powers slashed as Pak Senate approves constitutional amendment bill

Islamabad, Apr.16 (ANI): The historic 18th Constitutional Amendment bill, which would transfer President Asif Ali Zardari’s key powers to the Prime Minister’s residence, has been passed by the Pakistan Senate by an overwhelming two-third majority.

Describing the passage of the bill as a ‘landmark’ event in the country’s history, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said: “It is a victory of democracy today. Approval of this constitutional amendment is a landmark event in the constitutional history of Pakistan.”

The bill, which also omitted the name of former President General Zia-ul-Haq from the Constitution, would now be presented to Zardari for final approval, The News reports.

The bill, which is likely to be signed into law by Zardari today (Friday), will effectively make the President an ‘ostensible’ head of state, who can formally appoint heads of the armed forces, dissolve the National Assembly and appoint provincial governors on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The House also introduced an amendment to the Constitution to change the procedure for the appointment of judges of superior judiciary.

Under this provision, the judges would now be nominated by a Judicial Commission, headed by the Chief Justice, while the final approval of the appointments would be given by a parliamentary committee, consisting of members of the National Assembly and the Senate.

Although the bill was passed by a majority of votes in the Senate, some leaders belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other political parties objected to a couple of clauses in the bill, which were related to renaming of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) as “Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa”, and intra-party polls. (ANI)

Zardari’s key powers slashed as Pak Senate approves constitutional amendment bill

Islamabad, Apr.16 (ANI): The historic 18th Constitutional Amendment bill, which would transfer President Asif Ali Zardari’s key powers to the Prime Minister’s residence, has been passed by the Pakistan Senate by an overwhelming two-third majority.

Describing the passage of the bill as a ‘landmark’ event in the country’s history, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said: “It is a victory of democracy today. Approval of this constitutional amendment is a landmark event in the constitutional history of Pakistan.”

The bill, which also omitted the name of former President General Zia-ul-Haq from the Constitution, would now be presented to Zardari for final approval, The News reports.

The bill, which is likely to be signed into law by Zardari today (Friday), will effectively make the President an ‘ostensible’ head of state, who can formally appoint heads of the armed forces, dissolve the National Assembly and appoint provincial governors on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The House also introduced an amendment to the Constitution to change the procedure for the appointment of judges of superior judiciary.

Under this provision, the judges would now be nominated by a Judicial Commission, headed by the Chief Justice, while the final approval of the appointments would be given by a parliamentary committee, consisting of members of the National Assembly and the Senate.

Although the bill was passed by a majority of votes in the Senate, some leaders belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other political parties objected to a couple of clauses in the bill, which were related to renaming of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) as “Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa”, and intra-party polls. (ANI)

Zardari’s powers clipped by ‘historic’ 18th Constitution Amendment bill draft

Islamabad, Apr.1 (ANI): In what could further clip the powers of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari , the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms (PCCR) has signed the draft of the 18th Constitution Amendment bill.

The Amendment bill proposes the transfer of powers from the Presidency to Parliament and the Prime Minister House.

The Parliamentary committee led by Mian Raza Rabbani has finally approved all 93 amendments proposed in the bill despite the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif raising objections over some of the amendments, saying a consensus between all the stakeholders was a must.

The PML-N and the Awami National Party (ANP) had differed on some of the issues, including that of renaming the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

The committee has proposed the name of Khyber-Pakhtunkwa for NWFP, The News reports.

The draft also proposed removal of dictatorial amendments, and abolition of the name of former President General Zia-ul-Haq from the Constitution. However, it has no mention of General Pervez Musharraf, who had also amended 26 articles of the Constitution through his ‘dictatorial’ 17th Amendment.

According to sources, the proposed draft would be presented in the National Assembly and Senate on Friday while the process of legislation is likely to start from next Tuesday, following the President Asif Ali Zardari’s address to the joint session of the Parliament on Monday. (ANI)

Political issues could be resolved through Sania, Shoaib type positive approach : Nawaz

Lahore, Mar.31 (ANI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has said he is happy at the news of the wedding of Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, adding that political issues could also be resolved through a similar ‘positive approach’.

Malik and Mirza will tie the knot on April 11 in Hyderabad while their wedding reception is slated to be held in Dubai on April 15.

Earlier, Mirza confirmed the news about her marrying Malik, and said both will settle in Dubai after marriage.

The two famous sports personalities would be getting married at a time when ties between India and Pakistan are not so cordial following the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

They are not the first cross-border couple. Former Pakistan Test opener Mohsin Khan had married Bollywood actress Reena Roy in the 1980s, but the marriage didn’t last long.

Mirza has already clarified that she was not making any political statement by marrying Malik.

Addressing the media outside her house in Hyderabad, Sania said: “We are not getting married for making political statement. We are getting married, that is the only thing in my mind. It is as simple just like you people get married.”

“I’m very happy, my family is very happy with the occasion. The reception will be held on April 15. The venue has not been decided as yet. It is still weeks away, but I’m happy,” she added. (ANI)

Nawaz says ‘U-turn’ over constitutional reforms package in ‘supreme national interest’

Islamabad, Mar.30 (ANI): Defending his action of taking a U-turn over the issue of the constitutional reforms package, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has said that he has no regrets over his decision, and that he had taken it in the ‘supreme national interest.’

Speaking to media persons during a press conference here, Sharif refused to change his stance, saying ‘it is based on principles.’

He demanded that the number of members of the proposed judicial commission on the appointment of judges should be reduced to five from seven, The Daily Times reports.

The constitutional reforms committee had earlier increased the strength of the committee from six to seven members following a demand by the PML-N itself.

Earlier, the PML-N chief had described the constitutional package, which was to be tabled in Parliament as “half-baked”, and said matters were still under discussion when the government announced that it would be tabling the document in the house and that President Asif Ali Zardari would address a joint session of Parliament before that.

Sharif also called for curtailing the President’s powers in ‘single go’ before moving to other reforms in the constitutional package. (ANI)

‘Betrayer of democracy’, Nawaz, goes from ‘Lion of Raiwind’ to ‘cat out of water’: Editorial

Islamabad, Mar.27 (ANI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif’s eleventh hour ‘U-turn’ over the constitutional reforms package is being seen as a ‘betrayal of democracy’ in the country.

Sharif’s sudden and shocking change of mood has earned him flak from all quarters. While parties like the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and the Awami National Party (ANP) have criticised the PML-N severely, his own party men have also registered their dissent with the PML-N’s leadership.

Pakistani media too has blasted Sharif for his ‘treacherous’ move.

An editorial in one of the country’s leading English dailies said that the former premier’s move is hard to swallow.

It pointed out that the main culprit behind Sharif’s sudden change of mind could be those who want to deny President Asif Ali Zardari the credit of addressing a historic joint session of Parliament, which would have removed ‘distortions’ created in the Constitution by military dictators and thus provide an opportunity for him to gain the much needed support of the people.

“The only explanation that makes any sense is that some power or agency outside the loop of the deliberations of the constitutional reforms committee has either persuaded, or worse, browbeaten the lion of Raiwind until he has taken on the appearance and character of a cat fished out of the water,” the editorial in The daily Times said.

“The speculation that this could also be an attempt to deny the President the credit of addressing a historic joint session poised to wrinkle out the distortions introduced by military dictators in the constitution and thereby gain political capital and stature,” it added.

It warned that Sharif could have to pay a heavy for asking for a ‘consensus’ on the 18th Constitutional Amendment bill just hours before it was to be tabled in Parliament, as people would not forget his ‘disloyalty’.

“Even in his ‘home’ constituency Punjab, no democrat, let alone those of a pro-people orientation, will easily forgive this treachery,” the editorial said. (ANI)

Sharif faces flak as political parties seek answers for his ‘U-turn’

Islamabad, Mar.27 (ANI): Pakistani political leaders are still grappling with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif’s last minute ‘U-turn’ over the constitutional reforms package and are trying to find out as to what exactly had prompted Sharif for his sudden move.

Sharif had demanded that a “consensus” be reached before tabling the package in Parliament, despite his party’s proposals on the appointment of judges to superior courts being already incorporated in the document.

Leaders cutting across party lines are now demanding an explanation from Sharif with some even bringing into question his sincerity to the reforms process.

According to sources, a large number of PML-N parliamentarians have expressed dismay over the unexpected change in the stance of their party leader, and “they have registered their discontent with the party leadership”.

Talking to reporters here, Interior Minister Rehman Malik suggested that Sharif might have been under ‘some pressure’ to take the move, but added that the ‘PML-N chief would able to give a better explanation.’

Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s senior leader, Marvi Memon, blasted Sharif describing him as a ‘spoiler’.

“The PML-N chief has a habit of messing up things at the very last moment… and that was exactly what he has intended to do with the constitutional reforms package… he has always been a spoiler,” The Daily Times quoted Memon, as saying.

Awami National Party (ANP) Senior Vice President Senator Haji Adil described Sharif’s U-turn as a “drone attack.”

Insiders said that while both Senator Ishaq Dar and Sharif had assured Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani that they would not create any hurdles in the way of the reforms package, however, a phone call by “certain quarters” prompted the former premiere to change the script of his speech during the press conference in which he back tracked.

“Nawaz was warned by those quarters that his own future, his brother’s future and the entire PML-N’s future would be in jeopardy,” sources said. (ANI)

Pak political parties slam Sharif’s U-turn on constitutional amendment package

Islamabad, Mar.26 (ANI): A last minute U-turn by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif over the proposed 18th Constitutional Amendment package has added to the troubles surrounding country’s politics, with political parties criticising the PML-N over its sudden change in stance.

The ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has expressed surprise over Sharif’s U-turn.

Talking to reporters here, Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira said: “ The nation has been disturbed by the sudden apprehensions raised by the PML-N about the constitutional reforms package.”

Kaira said the Constitutional Reforms Committee had already reached a consensus on all issues, including the renaming of the NWFP as Pakhtoonkhwa, and expressed hope that Sharif would reconsider his strategy.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has also blasted Sharif , saying it was expecting the former Prime Minister to backtrack.

“When there is lack of vision among the leadership of a party than such U-turns and decisions could be expected,” senior PML-Q leader Kamil Ali Agha said.

Agha said the delay in presenting the package would waste the time of the public and will lead the country towards a new political and constitutional crisis.

Agha blamed both the PPP and the PML-N for the latest crisis and said they were ‘playing a joke with the country and the masses.’

Hours before the constitutional reforms package was to be tabled in Parliament, Sharif, during a press conference said that a “consensus” over the proposed package was necessary.

Following Sharif’s 11th hour change of stance over the issue, the federal government has postponed the proposed joint session of Parliament which was to be addressed by President Asif Ali Zardari.

During the press conference, Sharif denied any agreement being reached on the issue of the appointment of judges in the reforms committee, and said that his party had reservations over the proposed package.

“The issue of the judges’ appointment and the renaming of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) has not yet been settled with the government,” The Daily Times quoted Sharif, as saying.

“Judges should not be appointed on the basis of favouritism but through a transparent mechanism which ensures protection of the judiciary, and input from the government, the opposition and Parliament,” he added.

Sharif said Zardari should address the joint session of parliament after a complete consensus on the amendment package is made and all differences removed.

The sudden change on Sharif’s stance has even confused many PML-N leaders, and insiders within the party said this sudden move took many within the party by surprise since all issues apart from the renaming of the NWFP had been settled by the reforms committee amicably.

Sources said Sharif’s change of stance was at the behest of some quarters, and the PML-N chief adhered to “some phone calls” he received just before his press conference.(ANI)