For five years we tolerated the government with patience for the sake of democracy, says Nawaz Sharif.
As the Punjab Assembly was dissolved on Wednesday, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif announced that his party, along with 11 opposition groups, would move the Supreme Court against the caretaker setup in Sindh.
Justice (Retd) Zahid Qurban Alvi was formally unveiled as interim chief minister of Sindh on Wednesday – a day after the provincial assembly bowed out.
Speaking at a news conference, Nawaz said a ‘bilateral deal’ between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Pakistan Peoples Party on the caretaker set-up was against transparent, fair and free elections. “For five years we tolerated the government with patience for the sake of democracy,” he said, adding that he would not allow it to rig the 2013 elections.
A high-level meeting of the PML-N preceded the news conference where Nawaz asked his younger brother – Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif – to dissolve the Punjab Assembly.
He said the PPP had violated the spirit of the 20th Amendment and ignored meaningful consultation while appointing a caretaker chief minister in Sindh. “We have also called on the ECP to take notice of this illegal move,” he added.
About the caretaker prime minister, the PML-N chief hinted that the matter would finally go to the ECP. “There is no need to worry if the parliamentary committee fails to appoint a caretaker prime minister since under the Constitution, the ECP will ultimately make a decision,” he said.
Punjab Assembly dissolved
Governor Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood dissolved the Punjab Assembly on the advice of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Until a caretaker chief minister in Punjab is appointed, Shahbaz will continue as the chief minister.
Shahbaz has already forwarded the names of two prospective interim chief ministers – Justice (Retd) Amir Raza Khan and Khawaja Zaheer.
In response, former leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly Raja Riaz proposed three names – Mian Amir Mehmood, Justice (Retd) Zahid Hussain Bukhari and former chief secretary Hafeez Akhtar Randhawa – for the post. The two sides are highly unlikely to pick out a consensus chief minister.
Inside report of the meeting
Wednesday’s meeting at Raiwind discussed various options regarding how the caretaker prime minister should be appointed. According to the party’s senior leadership, an overwhelming majority of the party urged Nawaz to let the parliamentary committee cooperate with the government in finalising a name for the post of interim prime minister. However, the Chaudhry Nisar-led group convinced Nawaz to let the matter be handled by the ECP, since the government is insisting on picking Dr Ishrat Husain.
Chaudhry Nisar told Nawaz that all the opposition parties supported Justice (Retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid and if the PML-N withdrew his name, it would lose the support of its allies in the elections. Following deliberations, Nawaz contacted a member of the parliamentary committee and told him not to concede to the PPP.
The second decision the party took during the meeting was to begin interviews of candidates for party tickets. In this regard, Nawaz convened a meeting of aspiring candidates on March 22 in Model Town. The third decision was taken on the electioneering campaign of the PML-N, which will commence on March 25 from Mansehra district.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2013.
COMMENTS (5)
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Well done !!!! And please don't cave in like you did in the 18th amendment regarding name change of NWFP.
Stay strong , we are giving you one more chance to redeem yourself
InshaAllah, a sensible leader and better statesman will become our PM for third time. Good Luck NS.
Good job to interview candidates for assembly seats. They are really inching towards a mature and meaningful Political Party.
PML(N) has also violated the spirit of 20th amendment on the matter of care taker PM,by appointing all four members of PML(N) in the Parliamentary Committee from the 'Opposition side,where as,there are other opposition parties also in the Parliament.Why not name one or two members from them?.
Best of Luck PMLN!