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Movement halted: PML-N calls off anti-govt rallies

Published: May 26, 2012

Interestingly, the decisions by the PML-N come a few days after the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is reported to have mediated between the government and opposition during his trip. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: 

What was meant to build up in coming days into a massive countrywide anti-government campaign by the opposition has fizzled out with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) calling off all its rallies against the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led government.

According to sources privy to the PML-N’s strategy, the party will devise a new strategy after the federal budget. The Express Tribune has also learnt that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif will travel to London just after the budget, where he will remain till the current political deadlock resolves itself, and a political transition takes place.

Interestingly, the decisions by the PML-N come a few days after the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is reported to have mediated between the government and opposition during his trip.

The Express Tribune had earlier reported that Prime Minister Erdogan has mediated a deal between the government and opposition whereby the former will ensure a smooth and quick transition to a caretaker setup and the eventual stepping down of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, while the latter will take off the pressure and let the budget pass smoothly.

Sources in PML-N told The Express Tribune that Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and some other important leaders called on Nawaz Sharif on Friday, where the protest movement against the prime minister was discussed. It was decided that the remaining scheduled rallies would be cancelled.

The movement was announced soon after the conviction of Prime Minister Gilani in a contempt case by the Supreme Court.

The leaders also discussed the ruling of National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza on the disqualification of Prime Minister Gilani – which will be further discussed in detail in upcoming party meetings.

The sources said that Nawaz has directed party members to cooperate with government in passing the budget. It is pertinent to mention that the PML-N had earlier announced that it would boycott the meeting of the National Economic Council, in the spirit of protest against the current premier. The party had even stopped Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif from participating in the meeting which was presided over by Prime Minister Gilani – however at the eleventh hour Nawaz decided to send Senator Ishaq Dar.

The senator, of course, is considered to be the closest aid of Nawaz, and the main negotiator with the government.

Before his departure for London, Nawaz will make a few speeches, such as the one today (Saturday) at the Supreme Court Bar Association. However, Nawaz will mainly discuss Balochistan and politicization of lawyers. When contacted, PML-N Information Secretary Mushahidullah Khan said that the party will soon issue a new schedule of protests.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2012.

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Reader Comments (59)

  • zia
    May 26, 2012 - 6:14AM

    Now this is what u call a “U-Turn”. I mean last time, they said that they are postponing “go zardari go” movement because of Muharram al Haram, which was quiet acceptable excuse. But, this time they have genuinely taken a big “U-Turn” and this will surely embarrass the dedicated raiwind workers in days to come…. :O

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  • Saad
    May 26, 2012 - 6:16AM

    partners in crime again? same old face of PML-N.

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  • Adeel Syed
    May 26, 2012 - 6:23AM

    Noora khusti

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  • PTI
    May 26, 2012 - 6:26AM

    Exact same thing IK predicted a couple of months ago

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  • Omer
    May 26, 2012 - 6:28AM

    Another deal!!!

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  • Shoaib
    May 26, 2012 - 6:30AM

    Alright, can someone please explain something to me. How come the friends of Pakistan are the first ones to intervene. The movements by any political entity should be based on the interests of and wishes of the peoples represented. While the honorable Turkish PM may have had his best intentions, it still is meddling in the internal affairs and the reaction should be, would you do the same in your country if a Pakistani PM asked you to do this? I think not! So we need to be very hospitable to our muslim and close guest, we need to maintain our sovereignty.

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  • Hasan
    May 26, 2012 - 6:35AM

    Hope the news item is correct. If so, then it should be welcome across the aisel, and MNS magnanimity must be appreciated. Real democracy is still crawling in Pakistan and it is imperative for all political parties particularly PPP & PML-N to play their role for contnuation of the system. Democracy itself is nothing without good goverence, rule of law, strong economy, robust defence and supermacy of peoples will.

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  • omer
    May 26, 2012 - 6:45AM

    Continuing to make a fool of the Pakistani people.

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  • Paindo
    May 26, 2012 - 7:06AM

    I think NOORAKUSHTI will continue between the PMLN and PPP

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  • zia
    May 26, 2012 - 7:15AM

    ” It is pertinent to mention that the PML-N had earlier announced that it would boycott the meeting of the National Economic Council, in the spirit of protest against the current premier. The party had even stopped Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif from participating in the meeting which was presided over by Prime Minister Gilani – however at the eleventh hour Nawaz decided to send Senator Ishaq Dar.”…..Says it all about the confused policy of PMLn….. =)

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  • Ch Allah Daad
    May 26, 2012 - 7:17AM

    Its not a sign of weakness or any deal with present government. PML(N)’s first priority is economy and welfare of people. PML(N) cannot punish people in hot summer months for political gains.

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  • Abrar
    May 26, 2012 - 7:23AM

    There you go,one visit from a Nato representative and Sharif’ melts away.to London This U turn will not guarantee your power Mr Sharif.

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  • Tauheed jan
    May 26, 2012 - 7:29AM

    All these things proves that pakistan muslim league n is truely friendly opposition

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  • pakistani
    May 26, 2012 - 8:14AM

    frankly the rallies of PML N, against govt, have become a joke. Their movement loses steam even before it takes off.

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  • Ilyad
    May 26, 2012 - 8:24AM

    Well, well, well….just one dapki from Rehman malik about NAB et all and Mian’s fizzle out, and they will run this country and make it better this time. First learn to take a stand and then preach.

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  • Abdul
    May 26, 2012 - 8:33AM

    Noora khushti exposed again…. wakeup people

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  • Asif
    May 26, 2012 - 8:34AM

    Bhola Nawaz boarded the Samjhota Express again after a brief stopover.

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  • ihtisham
    May 26, 2012 - 8:40AM

    Real noora kushti by pml(n). The people of pakistan deserve this.Recommend

  • Ahmad Ali
    May 26, 2012 - 8:43AM

    This is pure drama. If people have given vote to Gilani to rule then Shareef got to put opposition. Neither Gilani is playing his role nor Shareefs are playing theirs. They have given calls and then back off many times. It is not the first time. I think opposition has lost its moral courage completely after four years of mismanagement at the provincial level and friendly opposition at the national level.

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  • May 26, 2012 - 9:11AM

    Well PTI was right, it would once again make PTI a one step closer in winning the elections.

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  • Faizan
    May 26, 2012 - 9:17AM

    hahahahahaha…. just like the old times.

    Imran!, you and your predictions – always the best. Salute.

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  • ali
    May 26, 2012 - 9:47AM

    Typical pmln. Noora kushti.
    We are with PTI.
    Imran Khan zindabad.

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  • Salman Zafar
    May 26, 2012 - 10:39AM

    Exactly as Imran Khan says…
    NOORA KHUSHTI….
    :-)

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  • Faizan
    May 26, 2012 - 10:51AM

    @ Ch Allah Daad, what? welfare of people? Hahahahahahha

    Good sense of humour.

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  • adnan
    May 26, 2012 - 11:32AM

    oposition role is not to destabilize goverenment.its democratic right of ppp to complete its tenure.nawaz sharif i playing very posiive role.

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  • RKM
    May 26, 2012 - 12:28PM

    Congratulations guys, we (the citizens) have been fooled again.

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  • Rizwan
    May 26, 2012 - 12:43PM

    Well done Nawaz as always you have ditched the nation once again .PML N this is your true face !

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  • Pakistani
    May 26, 2012 - 1:12PM

    and how many rallies have PTI taken against this Gov, plz enlighten us?????

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  • Usama
    May 26, 2012 - 1:12PM

    PML-N decide once either you r with GOVT or against…

    You are making people fool again n again…

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  • Pakistani
    May 26, 2012 - 1:21PM

    Gilani decides against challenging conviction & PML-N calls off protests against Gov… alot of political activities going on behind the scene ….. as far as i can understand the current PM will resign immediately after the budge and Zardari might dissolve the current Parliament & call for fresh elections…

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  • Qaiser K. Ahmed
    May 26, 2012 - 1:24PM

    Shame on all the senior members of PMLN who are still standing with Nawaz. How do you look yourself in the mirror every morning? Every second that you stay with Nawaz supporting his lies and lack of courage you are destroying your children’s future.

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  • Mahakaalchakra
    May 26, 2012 - 1:25PM

    Whatever happened to IK agitation?

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  • Kaleem
    May 26, 2012 - 1:42PM

    Those who are criticizing this move, were you happy when he was leading rallies everyday? No sir, you were still criticizing.

    PPP is current govt, what do you want? that we keep fighting and not strike deals to move forward? Remember the end result is bloodshed and we are already facing that from skardu to karachi..

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  • Majid Urrehman
    May 26, 2012 - 2:02PM

    Even if PMLN calls thier protest off. They have achieved their goal. Turkey’s mediation itself is a symbol that PMLN has shaken the govt to the core.

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  • ishrat salim
    May 26, 2012 - 2:35PM

    Reply to Hasan….yr first para…ok..agree for arguments sake…but yr second para..quote ” democracy itself nothing without good goverance…supremacy of peoples will ” unquote….u think all this is there ?

    What IK had predicted…this is all ” nura khusti “….Recommend

  • Satan
    May 26, 2012 - 2:39PM

    World Wrestling Entertainment :D

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  • elcay
    May 26, 2012 - 2:41PM

    Best chance for PTI to create tsunami ! Otherwise opportunity missed is a loss forever.

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  • LIAQAT ALI
    May 26, 2012 - 3:01PM

    @Kaleem: Great Logic based on principle and not partisan politics.So people who were criticing the rallies should praise this move now.Criticism should not be for its own sake.
    But amd there is a great but, for people who were praising the rallies should be cricising now becasuse praise should also be not for its own sake.Enlightended people should quit partisanship and support only on principles.

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  • Sajid Mahmood Awan
    May 26, 2012 - 3:16PM

    Pakistanis should take a positive step towards finding that Pakistan which we got after numerous sacrifices and that ideology which united our elders to collectively make efforts for a separate homeland for Muslims of Sub-Continent, where minorities could also live happily.

    Earlier I was a supporter of another party but now after having seen Imran Khan repeatedly talking about “CHANGE”, “CHANGE” and “CHANGE”, I have decided to support him. May Allah the Almighty help him (Ameen).

    We have to find that PAKISTAN of 1947.

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  • Bilal
    May 26, 2012 - 4:18PM

    Dictatorships and our establishment’s never ending anti democratic propaganda campaigns have not let even our educated people understand the true essence or even the basic concept of democracy. Consequently all what the people want is that opposition jams the whole Pakistan, set the whole country on fire and make people have a blood bath, whereas, they don’t have any idea that nations have developed and moved forward by virtue of stable and peaceful democracy and reconciliation stands to be the backbone of the same. Our politicians (primarily PML-N) have learned their hard earned lessons and thanks goes to our establishment for this but our nation has still a long way to go….

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  • Tch tch
    May 26, 2012 - 4:47PM

    @Ch Allah Daad:
    LOL you made my day Brilliant satire!

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  • Syed Farrukh Hussain Shah
    May 26, 2012 - 5:30PM

    it was obvious from the very first day, that all this corrupt political class of Pakistan is using the public sentiment for their own political gains in the name of democracy either its government or opposition.

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  • Freedom Seeker
    May 26, 2012 - 6:22PM

    Government did not open NATO route. So they are halting protest as it don’t have emotional touch and anti American spice. Zardari is too much for this pair of brothers to handle. Recommend

  • May 26, 2012 - 6:30PM

    the period of gen.zia made saudia arabia as our ‘master’ directing how to play the game – now turkey has stepped in a more active manner to dictate terms as if ‘our leaders are mum’ threating more vigioursely to do this/that – turkey in case continued this pasture lose whatever they achieved –

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  • Hasan
    May 26, 2012 - 8:00PM

    @ishrat salim:

    Let the civil rule complete at least four consecutive full terms by whatever political party elected by the people of Pakistan through free and fair elections, take my words, please, the change will come

    If westren democracies took centuries to reach where they are today, then why shouldn’t we wait for two more decades for the better future of our next generations.

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  • Hamid
    May 26, 2012 - 8:16PM

    Both PML-N and PPP are the same. Nathu Sing and Hira Singh, one and the same thing. Both have the agenda of loot.Recommend

  • Umer
    May 26, 2012 - 8:22PM

    @Ch Allah Daad:

    Its not a sign of weakness or any deal
    with present government. PML(N)’s
    first priority is economy and welfare
    of people. PML(N) cannot punish people
    in hot summer months for political
    gains.

    Either that or PMLN has become Bakri after Turkish PM visit.

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  • ishrat salim
    May 26, 2012 - 9:23PM

    Hasan…Western democracy did not go thru what Pakistan is going thru….where rules made are flouted & trampled by the high & mighty & by the lawmakers themselves…where court verdicts are defied by the govt at all levels…where people are dying everyday due to economic conditions, where corruptions are taking place at every level in all govt / semi-govt organisations, where political recruitments are done flouting all rules of merits, where there is minimum focus on education…which makes people undecisive of his vote,where there is feudal & beradari system & tribal system…& above all..where there is no moral conscience or value for human lives ( these 2 does not need democratic system to be present in any human being, it comes from upbringing & education ).if these indicators are of any reference & can be takencare-off, only then democracy can flourish in Pakistan….till then chaow….only a person like Mr Khomeini can bring change…& change will come thru these unfortunate poor people who are going soon to take law into their own hand bcz there is no leader on whom these poor people have any faith….frustrations of these poor people are growing everyday….yr stomach may be full..but go into the street & try to explain yr point to them & let me know the answer….

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  • Mr. Honest
    May 26, 2012 - 10:51PM

    The noora kushti continues between PPP and PML(N)…

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  • khurram shahzad
    May 26, 2012 - 11:23PM

    I am observing the most muted response from PMLN social media ‘ intellectuals’ at this news.BTW, what a lame and shameful excuse has been given by Ch Allah Dad!

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  • khurram shahzad
    May 26, 2012 - 11:25PM

    Alas! Muslim League died on the same day when Liaqat Ali Khan was martyred.

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  • Parvez
    May 26, 2012 - 11:33PM

    After the budget when Nawaz returns from London he’ll realise that he’s been out maneuvered again.

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  • Asif khan
    May 27, 2012 - 12:35AM

    PML balloon has burst badly during last four years. I think it has sensed that no one is coming out. Who care about these hypocrites who left country when people need them. They can’t handle Zardari.

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  • Kpk2Khi
    May 27, 2012 - 4:54AM

    No wonder he had to make a long trip to London for Face Saving!

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  • MAC
    May 27, 2012 - 11:11AM

    I feel pity for people who view playing constitutional role by opposition as noorakushti, even though the most prominent noorakushti is being done by Imran Khan’s PTI. But they will not see it because they are naive. His demand that PML-N resigns from parliament is the biggest proof…this is exactly what PPP wants so it can have a free hand at election time without checks and balances by a strong opposition. The only time PTI supporters will realize this is after the elections, when each vote given to PTI will weaken the opposition and strengthen PPP. When we end up with PPP in power again, it will be thanks to PTI. Recommend

  • Khurem
    May 27, 2012 - 3:08PM

    My only hope on Pakistan is mr nawaz sharif.!

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  • Bilal Shah
    May 27, 2012 - 3:26PM

    The pml n should not have resorted to agitational politics. in the first place.Being an experienced politician nawaz sharif should have known such politics lead to instability and weakening of the democratic system.All the parties should wait for the general elections that is only a few months away and then try to remove the government in a peaceful and democratic way.That is the only sensible approach.

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  • May 30, 2012 - 9:48AM

    I do not see any reality in the news item. PML N has gone too advance in PM Gilani government. Retreat at this stage from its principle stand will be suicidal for the party. Such a decision at this stage will give walk over to PTI in Punjab. However PML N can wait till the decision by SC on its writ petition lodged recently before entering in to final round.
    .

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  • May 30, 2012 - 9:55AM

    I do not see any reality in the news item. PML N has gone too far in opposing PM Gilani government. Retreat at this stage from its principle stand will be suicidal for the party. Such a decision at this stage will give walk over to PTI in Punjab. However PML N can wait till the decision by SC on its writ petition lodged recently before entering in to final round.
    .

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