Nawaz threatened that Gilani will face “unexpected consequences” if he does not step down. He was addressing an emergency press conference called after a party meeting held in Lahore.
“The speeches of Gilani or any of his ministers do not hold any importance anymore… After Supreme Court’s April 26 order, the country has been running without any government,” he added.
The party chief added that he has nothing personal against Gilani and that his party is only trying is bring the country's looted money back. “The Supreme Court wants to bring back the money which had been looted from Pakistan, and that is why, it passed the order. And anyone who refuses to comply with that order should be punished.”
Setting a clear policy for his party, and thereby warning the ruling government, said that his party will lodge its protest in all forms and at all levels and that even the possibility for a long march could not be ruled out. “The time for change has come,” in an ominous sign.
Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, PML-N's provincial presidents and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif were also present at the press conference.
Khan said, “Gilani is not the prime minister now, nor is he an elected MNA.”
After Prime Minister Gilani was convicted in the contempt of court case on Thursday, the PML-N as well as other parties called on him to resign from his post. They consider him to have been disqualified from the house, hence ineligible to hold the Prime Minister's seat.
The Supreme Court found Gilani, who had been elected unanimously to the post of Prime Minister four years ago, guilty of contempt of court for refusing to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari and gave him a symbolic sentence of 37 seconds detention in the courtroom.
Gilani, during the National Assembly session on Friday, challenged Nawaz to bring a no-confidence motion if “he thinks he can dissolve the government”.
The prime minister has so far refused to step down from his post. Instead, he has put his faith in the authority of Speaker of National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza to decide his fate.
COMMENTS (31)
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@John: That is how Opposition can work in democratic countries. Opposition is not in power. All they can do is to point out discrepancies and that is what is being done by PMLN. They cannot come on the street to overthrow the government at all as it is not the way Democratic governments work. Please study European democracies that their opposition role is same what PMLN is doing right now but since our people are not much familiar with Democracy so they resort to criticism of all sorts on PMLN right now.
Gilani and Zardari are the two sides of the same coin ,mian sb.
@ Mansoor shaikh, Great Khan should join hands with Mian Sahib, not the other way around. Mian Sahib in his political life has joined hands with many political leaders and parties. He does not believe in solo flight. Not very long ago, Mian Sahib offered Great Khan the Vice presidentship of PML and twenty tickets of his choice, but it was Great Khan who refused. Perhaps twenty is the figure too big for him. One or two seats would have been appropriate for him.
Heard Nawaz on Geo News this AM in Los Angeles. This time I see less a politician and more a seriously concerned citizen of Pakistan. Nawaz should put off all political or personality differences and join hands with ALL opposition parties to SAVE PAKISTAN any further ridicule and damage. This is the ONLY way forward. No other choice.
Now PML N has moral and social ground to protest and if present Govt dont follow the SC orders they should resign from NA. and come in streets.
Four years of opposition performance.....Hollow speeches and STILL no action.
Nawaz has lost all his steam during last four years. He has not put a strong opposition and couldn't stop PPP from any thing. His brother is running Punjab like a circus. It is not time of hollow slogans.
PMLN is the only sane voice left right now and that is exactly the role of the opposition should take which PMLN is doing. Those people who are telling PMLN to resign are the most stupid as New budget is coming and if PMLN will resign then immediately PPP will bring their members on PMLN seats and then will spent the money and eventually will get the seats of PMLN. This is the proper tactful way to be in the government and have the role of Opposition. PTI did a huge mistake by losing the seat of Shah Mehmoud Qureshi and Gailani's son take that seat and PMLN will not do that. But it is a shame that PTI now is on the back foot right now and not cooperating with PMLN in the hour of Need. PTI and PMLN seat adjustment could do wonders but Imran's hatred of Nawaz is well known otherwise this is the best thing PMLN and PTI can do with the country.
Mian Mohammad Sharif is right in saying that "Gilani no longer eligible to hold office".
Gilani Sahib is taking the plea that he did not wrote the letter to Swiss Authorities as he want to save the Constitution and the Democracy.
The fact remains that Gilani Sahib was neither saved the Constitution, nor the Democracy, but by not writing the letter he has save the President Asif Ali Zardari.
PPP does not want to change the Prime Minister due to one basic fact i.e. in case if the new Prime Minister is appointed by PPP, Supreme Court of Pakistan will again ask the new Prime Minister to write a letter against President Asif Ali Zardari to Swiss Authorities to bring back the looted money.
People do politics in Pakistan for personal gains and not to protect the Constitution or Democracy.
Under the present circumstances, the entire family including the Prime Minister are facing charges in various government offices and the courts.
Prime Minster Gilani has no moral grounds to defend himself and it would appropriate for him to step down before he should be ask by the people of Pakistan to step down.
Don't just tell but act. Make rallies like did in the past.
If you are so against the PM, why don't you resign from the assembly Mr. Nawaz Sharif? Oh I forgot, you don't want to end your kickbacks.
@Mirza: They lost by an insignificant margin. And the sort of Language Politics being played ppp was the main cause .
Pml n is still the most principled party .
new paradigm is set.
pml n vs. ppp, mqm, anp and pti.
To NS statement: "The party chief added that he has nothing personal against Gilani and that his party is only trying is bring the country’s looted money back." The nation has nothing against you (Mr. NS) as well...so how about bring back the money stashed away in London and KSA? Just good at Nura Kushti...both sides are the same...
PM is not eligible for his post. Sharif and PML-N are, despite attacking the SC while in session! The lion was tamed and packed away by a military dictator not once but twice! NS is not even an elected member of NA or Senate to fulfill his exile conditions with Gen Mush and King of SA. Yet he talks like he owns Pakistan. Mian G, did you not lose a safe seat to PPP only yesterday which you never had lost before?
The SC partial and incomprehensive decision is responsible for creating and expanding crisis in the country and among the Nation…………It seems either the SC is under pressure or no confident to provide true justice or implement the role of law.. After since long suspending the case….SC incomprehensive decision has been responsible for present crisis, creating conflicts and just putting responsibility on other shoulder. Its seems that the SC is confused, not empower, weak and having no confident to stand with constitution, safeguard the constitution and role of law. No more hope from SC or positive change....no rule of law.
Mian sb. Join hands with imran khan and get rid of these crooks.
Although, I really dislike this noora kushti once again being played in democratic set up .. but Supreme court orders were clear to the government .. Mr President isn't an elected person and in a country where people are only loyal to its country, the government would have removed President from the office, wrote letters to Switzerland Govt in compliance with the court orders for the sake of country. Alas! they care more for their party leadership than this country .. to change this kind of setup we will have to get rid of nepotism and one family show in parties. All such parties should be banned which encourages undemocratic norms and then wants to become leaders of democracy. ECP should have a rule whereby no family can become party heads for more than set period of time. I will believe in these so called democratic leaders e.g Nawaz, Shehbaz, Asfandyar, Bhuttos, if they start to change their own parties, unless that happens they are just playing with us.
Main Sb why every opposition is always keen to dissolve the ruling governments. When we will stop this leg pulling when we will come out of our egos and help this poor nation with sincerity. You are no different then other you are equally accountable for your corruptions and return of the looted money. stop making the nation fool and playing with innocence and ignorance of this nation, think of the day when you will be in the court of Almighty you are also the bullet fired twice.
Step forward NS if you are serious about what have u said... Resign from the Parliament & the flaw then created would be harder to fill...Elections would be obvious then..!! Stop fooling people with your fake slogans..Take Action!!
@ET 'Khan said' or 'Sharif said' looks strange, or I'm wrong
Although, I really dislike this noora kushti once again being played in democratic set up .. but Supreme court orders were clear to the government .. Mr President isn't an elected person and in a country where people are only loyal to its country, the government would have removed President from the office, wrote letters to Switzerland Govt in compliance with the court orders for the sake of country. Alas! they care more for their party leadership than this country .. to change this kind of setup we will have to get rid of nepotism and one family show in parties. All such parties should be banned which encourages undemocratic norms and then wants to become leaders of democracy. ECP should have a rule whereby no family can become party heads for more than set period of time. I will believe in these so called leaders e.g Nawaz, Shehbaz, Asfandyar, Bhuttos, if they first start to change their own parties, unless that happens they are just playing with us.
Mian sb is the only mature politician in the country...the others should learn from him, politics is not about getting emotional and making waste of every opportunity, rather playing your cards tactfully is what is required.
Every one should stop criticizing NS on the fact that he just talks and doesn't do anything outside the parliament. We have seen the opposition of Imran Khan as well, the Tsunami March of IK will be as successful as the civil disobedience movement he promised on the 30th October jalsa.
Mian sb, stop talking and take some actions. All this while you guys have only talked. Behind the scenes all of you (Ns and the Ps) are the same. Stop throwing dust in the eyes of the nation - But then again should it matter? The nation has its eyes closed anyway!
you are great Mian Sahab.. Long March Please ..
Elections in Sep-Oct.
much balanced and sane voice..