Hitting back: Wait your turn, PM Gilani tells Sharif
The normally conciliatory and soft-spoken Gilani was uncharacteristically aggressive in his tone and body language, particularly when referring to the Sharif family, whose PML-N party is in power in Punjab.
The prime minister claimed that many of the clauses in the much-vaunted 18th constitutional amendment had been written specifically to benefit Nawaz Sharif, especially the one that removed the bar on a third term as prime minister for any individual. Sharif served two terms as prime minister in the 1990s.
(Read: PML-N intra-party elections: After a decade, Nawaz takes formal charge again)
“After the demise of Benazir Bhutto, it was not in PPP’s interest to remove that clause,” said Gilani, revealing for the first time some of the details of the political deal-making that went into crafting the amendment that overhauled nearly two-fifths of the constitution.
“The three smaller provinces would have preferred more provincial autonomy to the removal of this clause,” said Gilani. “Sharif should remember that the PPP put the interest of one person [him] over that of 180 million Pakistanis. It is now up to the people to decide whether or not they want to elect him.”
Gilani has normally been the peacemaker in the PPP administration, a role that suits his personality and made easier by his family’s close personal ties with the Sharifs. He has normally refrained from criticising the Sharifs openly or by name, but seemed unable to contain himself on Sunday, repeatedly diverging from the written text of his speech (which was about the freedom of the press) and lashing out at his principal political opponents.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2011.
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@Realist.: Totally unqualified observations. The main problem with PML-N leadership is of non-existence of democratic mindset. I hope you remember his pleadings for 10 years SA in writing. His very close association with outdated mindsets whom no one recognizes on international level. All political personalities are tainted with corruptions and malpractices and so are our main institutions. In given circumstances NS should wait and must not try to behave like the way he is trying to do. If he is really sincere with the country and growth of democratic responsibilities and norms then he must refrain from creating unnecessary impediments which will only go in the favor of undemocratic forces who are always ready to grab power on one pretext or the other. Even our judiciary cows down as usual and history has proved this. We should be extra careful so that all civilian governments completes their tenure. Right now he is doing all this as said in Punjabi language " Na Khaydaan gay tay na khaydun dewaan gay".
@Farooq: Agree with you. More so Gilani keeps harping about Democracy and taking turns, he should know by now that Democracy is about getting peoples mandate (which according to record was nearly 50% ballot stuffing in 2008) that they did not get their mandate and it does not come with turns. You have to convince the people to cast their vote for a party's mandate. PPP did not have a mandate, it was BB death and her will created in thin air, that brought Zardari and Gilani to power. Furthermore, the electorate is not shrewd enough to judge and cast the ballot in a responsible way. Their nominees elected at each election have repeatedly failed to carry out their mandate and consistently lied at every occasion in Parliament, to Judges of the SC and to the media. PPP, MQM, PML-N, PML-Q, JUI-F and ANP have all lied to their constituents and have destroyed Democracy instead of nurturing it.
Politicians had dignity back than, when they did corruption under covers; but now Politicians talk about their personal interests openly.
The question is what is AWAM doing other than complaining? Well, yes, you are right. Think about their own personal interests.
"Wait for your turn" As if this is a secret deal between the two.
no comments.
ps: Moderator, will you publish?
“Sharif should remember that the PPP put the interest of one person [him] over that of 180 million Pakistanis..."
WOW... remind me why Pakistan shouldn't be called a Banana Republic
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