PML-N to boycott Gilani’s dinner for Turkish prime minister
"No one (from the party) is going to the dinner, because we do not recognise him as prime minister," PML-N media coordinator Asim Niazi told AFP.
Erdogan flew into Islamabad on Sunday for a three-day official visit. He is due to address a joint session of parliament before the banquet later Monday.
Senior PML-N leaders said, however, that the party would set domestic politics aside to attend the parliamentary session, because "Erdogan is our honoured guest".
On April 26, Gilani became Pakistan's first sitting prime minister to be convicted in court, for refusing to ask the Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
Gilani had refused on the grounds that the head of state enjoys immunity.
The PML-N has demanded that Gilani resign, saying the conviction disqualifies him from office and has called for early elections, not due before February 2013.
The Swiss shelved the cases in 2008 when Zardari became president and a prosecutor in Switzerland has said it will be impossible to re-open them as long as he remains head of state. Gilani has vowed to appeal his conviction.
COMMENTS (44)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1731975305-0/Untitled-design-(40)1731975305-0-165x106.webp "article")
1731975060-0/Untitled-design-(39)1731975060-0-165x106.webp "article")
@Hasham: I bet your politicians also have the capabilities but the problem is there is too much false propaganda on your side...that surely hampers democracy... In India, we have learned one thing. in general, until unless the growth is happening screw corruption, we believe corruption will automatically evaporise once people get educated... Also as a rule of hand, Indian politicians , how corrupt they may be or worst of enemies but when it comes to the Indian image outside, they all just unite up...This is one thing I have seen is very depressing on your side....Your politicians would start blaming each other even for the weirdest issues....and I also believe somewhere down the line educated Pakistani people are also to blamed...
@mohammad ali jawaid yes that's true buddy ...you people have suffered enough ...I have seen people(Pakistani) abusing Gilani and Zardari over Internet.....but to me Gilani seems a man of credibility at least....He might be corrupt(Pakistanis better know)....at least while he's in power you people should support him....Besides Democracy is very important (whether corrupt or not)
@Anuj is right. Maintaining common norms of decency and diplomacy in front of visiting dignitaries is apparently beyond the capabilities of our politicians.
@Anuj Agrawal: we are not as lucky as you are! we were directly ruled half of our history by autocrats and the rest half, indirectly. how do you think democratic norms will take its roots when after every other decade we go back to square one and had to start all over again? thanks anyway for taking interest.
@Lahori:
Yes Sir, I know you didn't asked for it but still it is an open newspaper and it was a mere advice.... Use it or not....your choice bro...
Anuj Agarwal: With due respect, we never asked what happens in India.
This is one problem Pakistani politicians have.... See in India, if a foreign dignitary or guest is arriving, no matter how big the problems are, invited guests always show up, no boycotts like this..... Creating perceptions to outsiders is very important, if they outsiders feel that there is no unison amongst parties it just creates a perception of utter weakness... This is one reason , India's perception around the world is getting stronger.... Pakistan needs this thought process... A loving Indian
Why are they still in Government?Why don't they resign from punjab government.They should do something real.
He is a state guest and to show him such disrespect should be reciprocated by Turkey not accepting Nawaz Sharif's government, if and when he wins - man what a laugh?
Anothe noora kushti act. Fed up to hear it more.
@Blithe: My understanding is that he also has an excellent relationship with the PPP top leadership and being a friend to Pakistan he should be given due respect by all. Don't you think if PML-N attended the dinner, he would know they have done it under protest and kept dignity and protocol intact and thereby gained the moral high ground.
Boycotting is just another form of doing nothing.
They can take oath from President Pervaiz Musharraf by merely wearing black bands as protest but cannot attend a dinner hosted in honour of the Turkish PM. Principles? Oh no wait, there's no ministry being offered here.
@Ali Wali: What's fishy about them?
Turkish president seems a decent bloke, but his international and national policies are fishy. We all should welcome our guests as common courtesy but if PML(N) decides not to attend the lunch then good on them. Turkish are not the sharpest knives in the World.
Well I am laughing at some comments that they are criticizing PMLN move. PMLN have announced that in Parliament they will respect the Turkish prime minister but other than that they are not intended to sit with PPP and its allies and it is absolutely great idea. I cannot understand that PTI fans could not be satisfied at all. Why they are so blind i dont know. I am not a PMLN fan but what is wrong is wrong and PTI bashing of Nawaz at any instant is out of my comprehension.
People need to understand that their is a difference in meeting visiting PM & attending a dinner hosted by a convicted PM. i'm sure that Turkish PM & Opposition parties will meet each other during this visit.... but attending a dinner hosted by a convicted PM... NO WAY... RIGHT DECISION BY PML-N
Right decision.. enuff is enuff...
Media is part of these mischievous games . Why the major Newspapers think it is big story. It is not. Nawaz Sharif has no official position.
proving to whom ? he is real leader
ohohohohoh... Mian Sb is proving to be the real opposition while still clinging on to Punjab government? No surprises there as the elections are just around the corner.
If Nawaz Sharif attends the dinner they say Noora Kushti or Friendly Opposition and if he does not attend the dinner then they say insane decision and it will affect on Pak.Turkey relationship. Get a life PML-N haters !!!
The hypocrisy of PML-N is evident from boycotting the banquet but attending the NA session. Their principled stand seems to be that they want the best of both worlds. Just like their earlier act of taking oath from Musharraf, but with the drama of black arm bands. This two faced strategy suits them, and allows them to have lame excuses in TV programs.
Wrong decission, country come first.
It will be interesting to see how PML-N acts in the parliament. Go Gillani go.... or act like lambs with the PM sitting in his chair?
All the political parties should well come the Turkish PM in our national interest on one condition that there will be no speech and office act form Raza Galani
Why on earth is turkish PM visiting pakistan? has he no other work to do? Europe is in trouble, as is the mid east. he woulkd be better off looking at turkeys neighbourhood, than coming visiting a economically sinking pakistan. PM should adopt austerity and cancel lavish banquets!
It will excellent if turkish PM lectures the parliament on what democracy really means.
This act of PML-N is just not correct and maybe it is short sighted. Country comes first
How would Nawaz feel, if he visits Turkey and Opposition leader avoids meeting him because of his differences with their PM. ? Insane decision. They helped this government for 4 years and now at the time of Elections comes up with such childish behavior
If PML-N accept dinner then PTI say friendly opposition if not then PML-N is not friedly for neighbouring country.. be Mature
PML(N) should not attend the party. Gilani is a convicted PM. He should resign.
@Parvez: FYI , PML N has an excellent relationship with Turkey. Turkey will understand ( and quitely appreciate )the principled position PML N has taken .
What a Sensless and a childish step, Turkey is like our brother and they don't even know how to greet someone and one day we will lose all our alies in there personal grudges.
PML(N) is right. No dinner under the chairmanship of illegal Prime Minister. Long live Nawaz Sharif.
Wrong decission by PML N..
He is the head of a brother country and decency dictates that civil behaviour be followed as he is our guest. This shows the petty small mind attitude of the PML-N and the PPP will again come out smelling of roses because they will use this goofy move by the Shareef's to their advantage. The correct thing to do is to attend but be reserved and formal and leave as soon as it is polite.
Good consistent policies by PML N!!!
No quarter must be given to convict Gilani at this stage.
a right decision!
PPP and PLMn both are shameless parties. They've no principles, just one agenda.. in shortest possible time, make as much money as you can.