ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz will not take part in any constitutional amendments in parliament if its grievances remained unaddressed. The firm statement came from the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudry Nisar Ali Khan.
Nisar was referring to the constitutional minefield that is the by-elections held between April 2010 and June 2011, when the election commission had not filled required posts.
Talking to the media outside the Parliament House, Nisar said he would unite the opposition parties on this point. “The PML-N will convince all political forces in the opposition to talk to the government with regards to this particular issue,” Nisar said.
Nisar said that the opposition does not want to manipulate the elections schedule, but insisted that the accountability bill and the formation of an independent election commission were issues that the government needed to build a consensus on, as they are critical to holding free and fair elections.
“We want an election commissioner who is sincere, and this can only happen when the government is sincere,” Nisar said, adding that the government should look into the matter of appointing a new election commissioner as only one-and-a-half months are left for his tenure to end.
Nisar expressed his displeasure over the government’s previous record and criticised it for hindering free and fair elections in the country. He added that now PML-N could not give a further mandate to the government, given its poor track record.
“To have free and fair elections in the country, it is important that we all stand united. Whoever tries to rig the elections will be an enemy of the country,” Nisar said.
The leader of the opposition also termed Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s reversal on his statement regarding the army and ISI chiefs illogical. “The prime minister should think before he speaks and if speaks then at least he should stand by his words.”
While responding to a query regarding a meeting between former president Pervez Musharraf and DG ISI Ahmed Shuja Pasha, the leader of the opposition said that the PM is the most appropriate person to ask this question.
“Prime Minister Gilani should be asked about the meeting between DG ISI and dictator Musharraf as DG ISI administratively works under him.” Nisar added that if Musharraf ever tried to enter Punjab, he would be treated in accordance with the law.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2012.
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Politics in Pakistan is not a bed of roses. Every day is a challenge for the civilians in a country where anti-democratic elements are out in full force to dislodge a civilian government one way or the other. By trying to dent the credibility of each democratically elected government, these forces only strengthen the hands of those waiting in the shadows. What is needed at this point in time is unconditional support of the government to complete its tenure so that free and fair general elections can take place and the power of the people be translated through their votes. The choice of ‘weapons’ should be the ballot boxes, not unconstitutional means.
Friendly fight.