Punjab tussle: Zardari 'disappointed' by PML-N's decision

President Asif Ali Zardari has said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will not allow anyone to derail the democratic process. The president added that he was disappointed by the Punjab government’s decision to remove PPP ministers.

President Zardari made these statement while chairing a meeting of the PPP Sindh Core Committee at Bilawal House in Karachi.

The President accused the PML-N of re-starting the tradition of horse trading. He, however added that these latest developments would not influence the PPP’s policy of carrying out “politics of reconciliation”.

PPP Sindh ministers briefed the president about the political situation in the province and the status of developmental projects.

Sharmila slams horse trading

The country due to terrorism, economic issues, socio-geographic significance and internal challenges cannot afford a revival of “Chhanga Maanga” like horse trading and political confrontation, said Information Secretary Pakistan Peoples’ Party Women Wing Sindh, Ms. Sharmila Farooqi, in a statement issued in Karachi on Sunday.

“The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz took the wrong decision of ousting PPP ministers from the Punjab cabinet at the time when the PPP already has implemented 21 points of Charter of Democracy and now is going to implement 10-point agenda given by the PML-N,” she said.

Farooqi said that after general elections, the PPP had strength to form a government in Punjab adding but it provided a chance to the PML-N honoring the mandate following CoD and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s policy of reconciliation.

She observed that the PML-N had taken steps to implement the agenda of elements who wanted instability in the country and wished to damage democracy, adding that PML-N was going to aid anti-democratic forces by encouraging horse trading.

Shahbaz slams PPP

Farooqi’s statements follow Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s Sunday media address, where the Chief Minister held the PPP responsible for the crisis in Punjab.

Sharif, while addressing a ceremony at the Alhamra Hall in Lahore said that the 10 point agenda had been given to the PPP for the benefit of the nation. The Chief Minister accused the PPP of failing to abide by the Charter of Democracy. He also said the economy of the country was in dire straits and only Saudi Arabia, Turkey and China are willing to unconditionally help Pakistan.

Firdous strikes out at Nawaz

Federal Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan has blamed PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif for not abiding by the Charter of Democracy.

Talking to the media in the Sambaryal area of Sialkot, the minister said the PML-N chief was responsible for the uncertain political situation in the country. She said the PPP has always challenged elements attempting to derail democracy. She said the government has done enough to eliminate the menace of terrorism, and has tried its best to resolve issues of the common man.

Babar Awan dismisses talk of elections

Federal Law Minister Babar Awan has said the constitution does not allow any mid-term or short term elections.

Taling to the media at Lahore Press Club, Awan said democracy needed time for its establishment, but unfortunately “some elements” don’t want it to flourish. He said the PPP sincerely worked on 75 per cent of the PML-N’s 10-point agenda. The law minister said that horse trading in politics is an unfair practice. He added that if anyone uses floor-crossing as a tool, it would harm the democratic environment.