PML-N to Back PM if Zardari Does Not Surrender Power

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 8:16 pm

PML N to Back PM if Zardari Does Not Surrender Power ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Quaid Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday stressed for the supremacy of parliament, saying his party wanted the powers to dissolve the assemblies be taken back from the president.

“If the presidency tries to create hurdles in our way, then the PML-N will extend its support to the prime minister,” Nawaz Sharif said while talking to newsmen here at the Punjab House. He said his party’s doors were closed for negotiations with dictators only, and he was ready to embrace President Asif Zardari if he changed his stance.

He said the PML-N would soon table a bill in the National Assembly to repeal the 17th Amendment and if the PPP government desired, it could be repealed in 10 minutes. “We will table a bill in the National Assembly to repeal the 17th Amendment soon and if the PPP government so desires, it can be done away within 10 minutes,” Nawaz Sharif said.

He said the PML-N would be taking the initiative to table the bill to repeal the 17th Amendment after waiting for one year as the PPP leadership had also promised to repeal this amendment.

“A number of PPP parliamentarians are also against the 17th Amendment and the PML-N will prove that it is sincere in repealing this amendment,” he maintained. Nawaz said he did not know as to how long the bill would take to pass but if the PPP government extended its support, it could be passed in 10 minutes. “But I think it should not take too long for the bill to be passed,” he hoped.

To a question about an alliance with the PML-Q while the Senate elections are approaching, he said his party would not sacrifice its principles for the sake of some Upper House seats. “We have not forgotten the history and still remember the treatment meted out to our workers 10 years ago,” Nawaz added.

Regarding former president Musharraf, he said his party was ready for impeachment of Musharraf, adding he was never consulted by anyone before Musharraf was forced to resign. “There is nobody to hold accountable and question those who caused irreparable loss to the country,” the PML-N Quaid regretted.

To a question about the restoration of sacked judges, he said the PML-N would never recognise the existing Supreme Court and had no trust in the chief justice. “How can a chief justice who meted out injustice to thousands of students deliver justice?” Nawaz Sharif asked.

He maintained that despite committing this injustice, Dogar was continuing as the chief justice, saying all this was happening at the behest of the government. “This is happening only in Pakistan,” he regretted.

Nawaz Sharif said the movement for restoration of sacked judges was a national movement and the PML-N would continue to play its role in this connection. “Judges are not appointed to serve the interests of rulers; rather, they should serve the people and provide justice to them.”

Responding to a question regarding the visit of the Saudi intelligence chief to Pakistan, Nawaz said the Saudi Arabian government wanted to see peace in the region. He observed that Saudi Arabia could play an important role in defusing the tensions between Pakistan and India. “We appreciate the spirit of the Saudi Arabian government in this regard,” he said.

The PML-N Quaid also regretted the threats made by the Indian minister to isolate Pakistan and said instead of hurling threats, India should take steps to promote talks and cooperate in the investigation of the Mumbai attacks. “We also want that culprits behind the Mumbai attacks should be arrested,” he said. “It is the best opportunity for the two countries to show that they are togther in curbing terrorism.”

Nawaz Sharif also expressed his disappointment over non-implementation of joint resolution passed by parliament with regard to military operation in the tribal areas and Swat. “The resolution was passed unanimously but unfortunately it is yet to be implemented,” he said. Nawaz also strongly condemned the Israeli attacks on Palestinian territory, saying no nation or religion could tolerate such atrocities.

PML-N to Back PM if Zardari Does Not Surrender Power

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