What was meant to build up in coming days into a massive countrywide anti-government campaign by the opposition has fizzled out with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) calling off all its rallies against the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led government.
According to sources privy to the PML-N’s strategy, the party will devise a new strategy after the federal budget. The Express Tribune has also learnt that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif will travel to London just after the budget, where he will remain till the current political deadlock resolves itself, and a political transition takes place.
Interestingly, the decisions by the PML-N come a few days after the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is reported to have mediated between the government and opposition during his trip.
The Express Tribune had earlier reported that Prime Minister Erdogan has mediated a deal between the government and opposition whereby the former will ensure a smooth and quick transition to a caretaker setup and the eventual stepping down of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, while the latter will take off the pressure and let the budget pass smoothly.
Sources in PML-N told The Express Tribune that Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and some other important leaders called on Nawaz Sharif on Friday, where the protest movement against the prime minister was discussed. It was decided that the remaining scheduled rallies would be cancelled.
The movement was announced soon after the conviction of Prime Minister Gilani in a contempt case by the Supreme Court.
The leaders also discussed the ruling of National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza on the disqualification of Prime Minister Gilani – which will be further discussed in detail in upcoming party meetings.
The sources said that Nawaz has directed party members to cooperate with government in passing the budget. It is pertinent to mention that the PML-N had earlier announced that it would boycott the meeting of the National Economic Council, in the spirit of protest against the current premier. The party had even stopped Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif from participating in the meeting which was presided over by Prime Minister Gilani – however at the eleventh hour Nawaz decided to send Senator Ishaq Dar.
The senator, of course, is considered to be the closest aid of Nawaz, and the main negotiator with the government.
Before his departure for London, Nawaz will make a few speeches, such as the one today (Saturday) at the Supreme Court Bar Association. However, Nawaz will mainly discuss Balochistan and politicization of lawyers. When contacted, PML-N Information Secretary Mushahidullah Khan said that the party will soon issue a new schedule of protests.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2012.
COMMENTS (59)
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I do not see any reality in the news item. PML N has gone too far in opposing PM Gilani government. Retreat at this stage from its principle stand will be suicidal for the party. Such a decision at this stage will give walk over to PTI in Punjab. However PML N can wait till the decision by SC on its writ petition lodged recently before entering in to final round. .
I do not see any reality in the news item. PML N has gone too advance in PM Gilani government. Retreat at this stage from its principle stand will be suicidal for the party. Such a decision at this stage will give walk over to PTI in Punjab. However PML N can wait till the decision by SC on its writ petition lodged recently before entering in to final round. .
The pml n should not have resorted to agitational politics. in the first place.Being an experienced politician nawaz sharif should have known such politics lead to instability and weakening of the democratic system.All the parties should wait for the general elections that is only a few months away and then try to remove the government in a peaceful and democratic way.That is the only sensible approach.
My only hope on Pakistan is mr nawaz sharif.!
No wonder he had to make a long trip to London for Face Saving!
PML balloon has burst badly during last four years. I think it has sensed that no one is coming out. Who care about these hypocrites who left country when people need them. They can't handle Zardari.
After the budget when Nawaz returns from London he'll realise that he's been out maneuvered again.
Alas! Muslim League died on the same day when Liaqat Ali Khan was martyred.
I am observing the most muted response from PMLN social media ' intellectuals' at this news.BTW, what a lame and shameful excuse has been given by Ch Allah Dad!
The noora kushti continues between PPP and PML(N)...
Hasan...Western democracy did not go thru what Pakistan is going thru....where rules made are flouted & trampled by the high & mighty & by the lawmakers themselves...where court verdicts are defied by the govt at all levels...where people are dying everyday due to economic conditions, where corruptions are taking place at every level in all govt / semi-govt organisations, where political recruitments are done flouting all rules of merits, where there is minimum focus on education...which makes people undecisive of his vote,where there is feudal & beradari system & tribal system...& above all..where there is no moral conscience or value for human lives ( these 2 does not need democratic system to be present in any human being, it comes from upbringing & education ).if these indicators are of any reference & can be takencare-off, only then democracy can flourish in Pakistan....till then chaow....only a person like Mr Khomeini can bring change...& change will come thru these unfortunate poor people who are going soon to take law into their own hand bcz there is no leader on whom these poor people have any faith....frustrations of these poor people are growing everyday....yr stomach may be full..but go into the street & try to explain yr point to them & let me know the answer....
@Ch Allah Daad:
Either that or PMLN has become Bakri after Turkish PM visit.
@ishrat salim:
Let the civil rule complete at least four consecutive full terms by whatever political party elected by the people of Pakistan through free and fair elections, take my words, please, the change will come
If westren democracies took centuries to reach where they are today, then why shouldn't we wait for two more decades for the better future of our next generations.
the period of gen.zia made saudia arabia as our 'master' directing how to play the game - now turkey has stepped in a more active manner to dictate terms as if 'our leaders are mum' threating more vigioursely to do this/that - turkey in case continued this pasture lose whatever they achieved -
it was obvious from the very first day, that all this corrupt political class of Pakistan is using the public sentiment for their own political gains in the name of democracy either its government or opposition.
@Ch Allah Daad: LOL you made my day Brilliant satire!
Dictatorships and our establishment's never ending anti democratic propaganda campaigns have not let even our educated people understand the true essence or even the basic concept of democracy. Consequently all what the people want is that opposition jams the whole Pakistan, set the whole country on fire and make people have a blood bath, whereas, they don't have any idea that nations have developed and moved forward by virtue of stable and peaceful democracy and reconciliation stands to be the backbone of the same. Our politicians (primarily PML-N) have learned their hard earned lessons and thanks goes to our establishment for this but our nation has still a long way to go....
Pakistanis should take a positive step towards finding that Pakistan which we got after numerous sacrifices and that ideology which united our elders to collectively make efforts for a separate homeland for Muslims of Sub-Continent, where minorities could also live happily.
Earlier I was a supporter of another party but now after having seen Imran Khan repeatedly talking about “CHANGE”, “CHANGE” and “CHANGE”, I have decided to support him. May Allah the Almighty help him (Ameen).
We have to find that PAKISTAN of 1947.
@Kaleem: Great Logic based on principle and not partisan politics.So people who were criticing the rallies should praise this move now.Criticism should not be for its own sake. But amd there is a great but, for people who were praising the rallies should be cricising now becasuse praise should also be not for its own sake.Enlightended people should quit partisanship and support only on principles.
Best chance for PTI to create tsunami ! Otherwise opportunity missed is a loss forever.
World Wrestling Entertainment :D
Even if PMLN calls thier protest off. They have achieved their goal. Turkey's mediation itself is a symbol that PMLN has shaken the govt to the core.
Those who are criticizing this move, were you happy when he was leading rallies everyday? No sir, you were still criticizing.
PPP is current govt, what do you want? that we keep fighting and not strike deals to move forward? Remember the end result is bloodshed and we are already facing that from skardu to karachi..
Whatever happened to IK agitation?
Shame on all the senior members of PMLN who are still standing with Nawaz. How do you look yourself in the mirror every morning? Every second that you stay with Nawaz supporting his lies and lack of courage you are destroying your children's future.
Gilani decides against challenging conviction & PML-N calls off protests against Gov... alot of political activities going on behind the scene ..... as far as i can understand the current PM will resign immediately after the budge and Zardari might dissolve the current Parliament & call for fresh elections...
PML-N decide once either you r with GOVT or against...
You are making people fool again n again...
and how many rallies have PTI taken against this Gov, plz enlighten us?????
Well done Nawaz as always you have ditched the nation once again .PML N this is your true face !
Congratulations guys, we (the citizens) have been fooled again.
oposition role is not to destabilize goverenment.its democratic right of ppp to complete its tenure.nawaz sharif i playing very posiive role.
@ Ch Allah Daad, what? welfare of people? Hahahahahahha
Good sense of humour.
Exactly as Imran Khan says... NOORA KHUSHTI.... :-)
Typical pmln. Noora kushti. We are with PTI. Imran Khan zindabad.
hahahahahaha.... just like the old times.
Imran!, you and your predictions - always the best. Salute.
Well PTI was right, it would once again make PTI a one step closer in winning the elections.
This is pure drama. If people have given vote to Gilani to rule then Shareef got to put opposition. Neither Gilani is playing his role nor Shareefs are playing theirs. They have given calls and then back off many times. It is not the first time. I think opposition has lost its moral courage completely after four years of mismanagement at the provincial level and friendly opposition at the national level.
Bhola Nawaz boarded the Samjhota Express again after a brief stopover.
Noora khushti exposed again.... wakeup people
Well, well, well....just one dapki from Rehman malik about NAB et all and Mian's fizzle out, and they will run this country and make it better this time. First learn to take a stand and then preach.
frankly the rallies of PML N, against govt, have become a joke. Their movement loses steam even before it takes off.
All these things proves that pakistan muslim league n is truely friendly opposition
There you go,one visit from a Nato representative and Sharif' melts away.to London This U turn will not guarantee your power Mr Sharif.
Its not a sign of weakness or any deal with present government. PML(N)'s first priority is economy and welfare of people. PML(N) cannot punish people in hot summer months for political gains.
" It is pertinent to mention that the PML-N had earlier announced that it would boycott the meeting of the National Economic Council, in the spirit of protest against the current premier. The party had even stopped Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif from participating in the meeting which was presided over by Prime Minister Gilani – however at the eleventh hour Nawaz decided to send Senator Ishaq Dar.".....Says it all about the confused policy of PMLn..... =)
I think NOORAKUSHTI will continue between the PMLN and PPP
Continuing to make a fool of the Pakistani people.
Hope the news item is correct. If so, then it should be welcome across the aisel, and MNS magnanimity must be appreciated. Real democracy is still crawling in Pakistan and it is imperative for all political parties particularly PPP & PML-N to play their role for contnuation of the system. Democracy itself is nothing without good goverence, rule of law, strong economy, robust defence and supermacy of peoples will.
Alright, can someone please explain something to me. How come the friends of Pakistan are the first ones to intervene. The movements by any political entity should be based on the interests of and wishes of the peoples represented. While the honorable Turkish PM may have had his best intentions, it still is meddling in the internal affairs and the reaction should be, would you do the same in your country if a Pakistani PM asked you to do this? I think not! So we need to be very hospitable to our muslim and close guest, we need to maintain our sovereignty.
Another deal!!!
Exact same thing IK predicted a couple of months ago
Noora khusti
partners in crime again? same old face of PML-N.
Now this is what u call a "U-Turn". I mean last time, they said that they are postponing "go zardari go" movement because of Muharram al Haram, which was quiet acceptable excuse. But, this time they have genuinely taken a big "U-Turn" and this will surely embarrass the dedicated raiwind workers in days to come.... :O