PML-N pushing institutions to their limits: PPP Punjab president

Qamar Zaman Kaira says democracy does not suit Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz under current circumstances

LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Punjab President Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Tuesday that democracy did not suit the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) under the current circumstances as it was trying to push the national institutions to their limits.

Speaking at a reporters in Lahore, he said Nawaz Sharif-led party did not want the democratic process to run smoothly and was trying to destabilise the system in the country.

“I salute the apex court and national institutions for exhibiting patience in response to strong criticism by the ruling party,” he maintained.

Criticising the deposed premier, Kaira underscored, Nawaz Sharif had been disqualified and cannot contest the 2018 general election even if he managed to get himself cleared from the ongoing corruption references against him.

Is PPP rebuffing PML-N advances?

Responding to a question, the PPP leader said though the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) demand for early elections was not unconstitutional, however, in present circumstance it is impossible. “Neither PPP  nor other political parties are supporting PTI chairman Imran Khan’s demand of early election,” he added.

His party’s agenda, Kaira said, has always been the democracy but the ruling party never allowed democracy to strengthen in the country as it did not suit their practices. Those who are raising voices against national institutions had never stood by democracy in the country, he maintained.

After 18th Constitutional Amendment, the PPP leader said, cabinet was not the only forum for legislation. The issue of delimitation of constituencies was not brought to the Council of Common Interests (CCI), which can delay the next general elections.

PPP flexes muscles in power show

He said there was no provision for a ‘national unity government’ or a ‘technocratic setup’ in the Constitution and vowed that his party will never support any such proposal in any circumstances. He underscored that Sharif would not be able to receive any NRO from his own government.

Kaira announced that his party will hold a rally in the provincial capital on December 5. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will soon provide the next course of action in this regard, he added.

Answering another question, he said in a candid tone that "seasonal birds move according to the weather and when the [political] season arrives, they will flock to their favourite places".