PML-N opts not to wind up ‘parliamentary system’

Says will consult parliamentarians over holding early elections if Faizabad situation deteriorates

KARACHI:  

 

 

After detailed deliberations over the fast-changing situation in the wake of the Faizabad dharna, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leadership has decided that the present parliamentary system will not be wound up, meaning that the national and the provincial assemblies will not be dissolved.

Sources in the ruling camp said the federal government will also not announce early elections.

However, if the situation deteriorates any further, the party leadership will hold detailed discussions with parliamentary leadership on the option of holding early elections and then take a final decision, they added.



The sources said party president Nawaz Sharif has been constantly discussing the situation arising from the Faizabad sit-in with close aides, who suggested that the situation should be resolved through talks.

It was decided that the prime minister will contact parliamentary parties immediately and find a strategy to improve the political situation in the country.

Sources said the PML-N has mulled over the speculations of a national and technocrat government and decided that in such a situation the party will use the options of legal, constitutional and public agitation gradually in different phases.

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If the situation does not come under control through dialogue or security measures, the cabinet could be reshuffled and the portfolios of many ministers changed, keeping in view the current situation.

Sources said after consultations, Sharif has decided that he will fight all National Accountability Bureau references against him in courts according to the law and whatever the outcome he will not self-exile himself. If bails are cancelled or he is convicted, Sharif will willingly surrender and run party affairs from inside the jail, sources said.

They added that the PML-N leadership has decided that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will use the option of addressing the nation or convening the meeting of parliamentary leadership in view of the current situation.

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Sources also said the federal government has decided that the option of talks with the religious party staging a sit-in will be kept open. The PML-N leadership has also decided to increase mass contact and organise public rallies according to its schedule. The party will adopt a cool and reconciliatory policy rather than opting for any aggressive approach against the sit-in.

It was concluded that the PML-N leadership would contact various political and parliamentary parties over the Faizabad situation.