'PML-N to hold talks with all parties for caretaker government setup'

Party to make alliance with Sindh United Party. PHOTO: SANA/FILE

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that his party will hold talks with all parties, even those which are not holding seats in the assemblies, for the setup of a caretaker government.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, Sharif said that new amendments in the Constitution also imply that all parties, including the opposition, should hold talks before the setup of a caretaker government.

When asked about speculations that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) will give a “tough time” to PML-N during upcoming elections, Sharif laughed and said, “The PPP [Pakistan Peoples Party] has always given us a tough time, it is still doing so. But when the elections come and every party comes face-to-face with each other, then the truth will come out.

“We will also give a tough time to those who are planning to give us a tough time,” he added.

The party chief also announced that he will be leaving for Sindh tomorrow to make an alliance with the Sindh United Party. “We have added a lot of good personalities from Sindh to our party… We have single-handedly contested elections in the past too.”

CEC appointment

Reposing faith in the newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, Sharif said that Ebrahim is an “upright man with a respected personality”. Sharif added that the new CEC is an honest person who will neither be against nor in favour of any party.

“It is very good for Pakistan that he has been elected. Now, the prospects of free and fair elections have gone up,” he stated.

Judiciary vs executive

When asked about the NRO implementation case which has cost the ruling PPP one prime minister, Sharif said that the Supreme Court has the full right of getting its orders implemented.

“No matter which government it is – even if it’s ours – does not comply with the court orders, then losing even 10 prime ministers is not a big deal.”