Pakistani Politics

PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif has asked Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to play his role and convince President Asif Ali Zardari to defuse the prevailing tension by restoring Pre-November 3 judiciary.

Talking at “Aaj Kamran Khan Kay Saath” programme of Geo TV on Thursday, Mian Nawaz Sharif said that if the prime minister wished he could restore pre-November 3 judiciary. “The nation and the opposition would support the prime minister whatever steps he takes for restoration of the judges,” he said, adding that now its time that the prime minister should play his role. He said the premier should take clear-cut decision before the long march in the best interests of the nation.

Nawaz said the prime minister was a sincere man and there was no doubt on his intention. “Although the prime minister does not have all the powers, but he has the power to restore the deposed judges and sack the PCO judges,” he added.

He said that if President Zardari was not ready to take this decision due to his personal agenda, the prime minister should do it now, and he should not worry about his premiership as “we are with him”.

The PML-N chief said the PPP could not have formed the government in the Centre without the PML-N support. Nawaz was of the view that if the prime minister acted now, many PPP members would also stand by him, saying that President Zardari should be reminded of his promises with the nation. He said the prime minister should take notice of repeated violation of the commitment by President Zardari.

He said if the president refused to accept Gilani’s advice, then he should bring the matter to the Parliament, adding that Gilani should not delay it as it was a historical moment for him.

About Gilani’s stance on governor’s rule, he said, “We respect the sentiments of the prime minister and before governor’s rule the premier had assured Shahbaz during a meeting that they would not destabilise PML-N government in Punjab.

“We supported PPP in unanimous election of the prime minister with good intentions, but we have seen one after another disappointments,” he said. He alleged that Punjab situation was pre-planned.

The two-time former prime minister alleged that people of bad character were being appointed as judges, and he gave an example of the recent appointment of the Islamabad High Court chief justice. “If the nation has to be gifted with such judges, it is the bad luck of the nation”, he said and added, “we have to shun this bad luck”. He said these judges were of state not of the nation, and added that “we do not accept handpicked judges”.

To a question about foreign diplomats meeting with him, he said the US and the UK wanted Pakistani political forces to work together, adding that he reminded them that “we want to work jointly, but the promises should be fulfilled.”

Nawaz Sharif claimed that they had information from reliable sources that some people have entered Punjab for attempt on their lives. “Raja Zafarul Haq has informed the prime minister about this.” He said they would release the text of the letter written to the prime minister within two days.

Online adds: Meanwhile, in an interview to the Guardian, Nawaz Sharif accused the government of running an “elected dictatorship” that is plotting to kill him. “I have recently received certain information from my own sources, credible sources, about certain forces, who are active against me,” Nawaz said.

“Threats to my life come from high-ranking government officials, certain topmost people in the government, my sources say,” he said but declined to give further details.

“The risks are there. I can’t abandon my mission because of the risks. It’s a very noble cause. A mission to put the country back on the road to democracy,” the PML-N chief added as he was being driven in an armour-plated Mercedes to a political rally.

As a countrywide crackdown was launched against political activists, Nawaz told the Guardian that President Asif Ali Zardari was ruling under a cloak of democracy but his policies would only benefit extremist elements.

“Sometimes we [Pakistanis] are caught up in the military dictatorships. Now we are caught up in a democratic dictatorship,” said he adding: “In the garb of democracy we are, frankly, under dictatorial rule.”

“Our mandate [in Punjab] has been trampled. He [Zardari] doesn’t show respect to other parties’ mandate. It is the worst form of dictatorship. He doesn’t allow the judiciary to become independent because of his own vested interest. This is what dictatorship is all about,” the PML-N chief said.

“Only a democratic Pakistan can get rid of extremism. Therefore, we’ve got to put more and more emphasis on strengthening democracy, because that’s the only answer,” said Nawaz adding: “Rather than fighting extremism, we [political leaders] are fighting with each other.”

Meanwhile, Farhatullah Babar, President Zardari’s spokesman, dismissed Nawaz’s allegations of a plot to kill him as “political mileage”. “This is outlandish,” said Farhatullah Babar. “The government is providing him [Sharif] with protection so that the militants don’t take advantage of the situation,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a separate meeting at Raiwind with the US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W Patterson, Nawaz has made it clear that the PML-N is ready for reconciliation with the PPP if President Asif Ali Zardari ensures implementation of pledges, which he has made to the nation.

“We are ready for reconciliation but Asif Ali Zardari will have to honour his pledges and the crackdown launched by police on political workers and legal fraternity exposes the federal government’s intention,” he added.

“No comprise would be made on principles and we do not want to take control of the Parliament. We are struggling for rule of law, independent judiciary and strengthening democratic institution in the country,” Nawaz said, adding: “The call for sit-in in Islamabad on March 16 was made by legal fraternity and we like other political parties and civil societies have backed them.” “We would participate in the lawyers long march and sit-n in Islamabad,” he told the US envoy.

Opposition leader in the National Assembly Ch Nisar Ali Khan, Former Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif were also present on the occasion.

In the meeting, issues related to war on terror, overall political situation prevailing in the country and lawyers’ long march and sit-in came under discussion.

Nawaz told Patterson that he tried his level best to resolve political crises in the country for last one year but the government did not show sincerity in this respect. The Punjab government had been dissolved, he said, adding, the PML-N doest not believe in politics of confrontation but President Zardari has failed to honour his pledges.

He said President Zardari has disappointed the nation. He said peace without independent judiciary in the country is also impossible and Pakistan is a key to peace in the region. Speaking on the occasion, the US ambassador underscored the need for reconciliation between the PPP and the PML-N, saying, political stability is also vital for peace in Pakistan.

She urged both the parties to set aside their differences and work for stability of the country, adding, all political parties should resolve their differences through dialogue.

She warned that non-state actors can take advantage of ongoing situation in Pakistan. Political confrontation can also harm war against terrorism and extremism, she said, adding, economically and politically developed Pakistan is in interest of the US.

Faizan Bangash adds: While addressing the members of PML-Q forward bloc here at Jati Umera, Raiwind on Thursday, PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif ruled out any dialogue for reconciliation with President Asif Ali Zardari, saying, matters would be settled with Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani if any effort was made for the purpose.

Sources said some 25 members of the forward bloc also called as the “unification bloc” by the PML-N attended the meeting.

PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif and Opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was also present on the occasion.

The members of PML-Q forward bloc, who attended the meeting include Raja Shaukat Aziz Bhatti, Engineer Qamar ul Islam, Malik Aitebar Khan, Malik Zahoor Anwer, Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bherth, Mian Ajmal Asif, Saqlain Anwer Sipra, Sultan Sikander Bharwana, Mian Tariq, Irfan Bashir Gujjar, Khalid Pervaiz Virk, Col (R) Shujaat Khan, Dr Tahir Ali Javed, Nadeem Rabhera, Malik Jalal ud Din Dhakku, Chaudhry Arshad, Walayat Shah Khagga, Mehdi Abbas Khan, Imran Qureshi, Jawad Kamran Khar, Ahmed Yar Hinjra, Pir Rafi ud Din Bokhari, Pir Kashif Chishti, Saba Sadiq and Ata Muhammad Manika. Those who didn’t attend the meeting were Ghulam Jaffer Sargana, Naghma Mushtaq Lang, Khalid Sargana, Amir Hiraj and Fateh Muhammed Buzdar.

The sources said Nawaz once again assured the “likeminded” legislators that they were the part and parcel of the PML-N and would be given the party tickets in case they face disqualification while voting for the N-league during the vote of confidence move.

Insiders said Nawaz appreciated the unconditional support of the “likeminded” to the PML-N that had set a historic precedent in Punjab. Reassuring the PML-Q forward bloc members of his support, Nawaz said their victory in the next polls would be the victory of the PML-N and they would be treated as the part of the party.

The insiders said the PML-N Quaid also apprised the PML-Q members of his meeting with US Ambassador Anne W Patterson. Nawaz said he had conveyed to the US diplomat that he wanted the reversal of the situation in Punjab and the restoration of judiciary.

However, the PML-N chief said his stand on the restoration of deposed judiciary would remain unchanged and he would not compromise on it. Nawaz said he trusted Prime Minister Gilani more than the president and reiterated there would be no more dialogue with Zardari on any issue and only the premier would be consulted for the purpose.

Ch Nisar Ali Khan, the opposition leader in the National Assembly, asked the PML-Q forward bloc members to get “ready” as the PML-N might be asked to show majority before the PPP and Q-league by the Punjab governor in the next few days, according to the sources.

The sources said the NA opposition leader also said the government was expected to lift the governor’s rule in Punjab soon following the tremendous pressure it faces. He hoped the PML-N would again form the government in the province.

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