Threat of PM’s disqualification to be removed

Railways minister says Imran has realised his mistake

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that the PML-N would bring constitutional amendments in parliament to empower elected governments and remove the threat of disqualification dangling over the prime minister’s head.

“Governments cannot function under any vulnerability. Similarly a prime minister cannot function with a sword of disqualification hanging over his head,” he said while speaking to the media outside Jati Umra after attending a party’s consultative meeting.

The minister said whatever happened to us was history now but added that the party would ensure that the mandate of elected governments is respected under new amendments in the future.

“Amendments to ensure supremacy of law, protection of the democratic system and provide cheap and speedy justice will be introduced.”



Moreover, Rafique said the amendments – which he described as necessary to strengthen democracy – to ensure unbiased working of courts and supremacy of the Constitution would be introduced after consultation with all stakeholders and legal experts.

Briefing the media about the consultative huddle, the minister said: “In the consultative meetings, it has been decided that a mass contact campaign will be started for which rallies and processions will be held around the country.”

“It has finally been decided that Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, will be PML-N’s candidate for the by-election in NA 120.

Sources in the PML-N revealed that Hamza Shehbaz would play an integral role in the upcoming NA 120 elections and would be assisted by several provincial and federal ministers.

Rafique said: “[PTI Chairman] Imran Khan and his lot realised the mistake that they have committed,” he said adding, “Soon he (Imran) will want to sit with us.”

Regarding former president Asif Ali Zardari, he said he was a smart man but son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was toeing someone else’s policies. “Bilawal should seek advice from his father.”



Answering a question regarding support from the PPP in the Senate for passing the constitutional amendments, he said: “If the amendments are in favour of the masses, then they should be supported in the larger national interest.

Regarding differences in the party rank and file and former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar’s with the party leadership, Rafique termed it a healthy sign. “It is a sign of democracy.”

According to sources, the party was planning to hold a rally and then a political gathering at Multan. It was further revealed that the party would also be holding political gatherings in southern Punjab in the first phase.