PPP, PML-N exchange key proposals on interim setup
To mark the beginning of crucial talks, the government and opposition have exchanged key proposals aimed at bringing in a caretaker setup to oversee fresh parliamentary elections.
Top leaders from both the governing Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and principal opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) told The Express Tribune on Sunday the exchange had taken place through ‘unspecified’ informal channels.
“It is in an early stage…we haven’t had any formal meeting so far. All I can confirm at the moment is that some back and forth is taking place. Nothing more than that,” said a PML-N leader, speaking on the telephone from Lahore.
One media report suggested earlier in the day that that Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf would announce the roadmap for fresh elections on August 14 – and that elections are likely to be held in the first week of November.
National Assembly Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Raja Zafarul Haq, Khawaja Asif, Ishaq Dar and Pervez Rashid represented the opposition party at talks while Religious Affairs Minister Khursheed Shah, Aitzaz Ahsan, Raza Rabbani, Farhatullah Babar and Jehangir Badar were the government negotiators, according to the report.
But both PPP and PML-N leaders denied having any meeting, saying it would take some time before they could hold a detailed discussion on proposed plans.
“All I can tell you at the moment is that we by and large have an understanding to talk about anything related to elections…but no meeting has been held so far. We will have to go a long way before starting a formal process,” said PPP’s Raja Riaz, the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly.
PML-N spokesperson Senator Parvez Rashid also denied any meeting, saying, “Chaudhry Nisar is in London with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, Khawaja Asif is in Europe, I have been in Lahore the whole day…I don’t know who attended the meeting on our part.”
Proposals
The PPP, according to its leaders, wants the PML-N to help it select an individual for the caretaker setup who would not write a letter to Swiss authorities.
The PPP would also like the opposition party to allow at least a couple of months to hand over power to the caretaker setup. Party leaders say this is because they want to implement a ‘crash’ economic plan to overcome power outages and unemployment.
On the other hand, one PML-N official said Nawaz Sharif had asked President Zardari to allow its party leader to write a ‘harmless’ letter to Swiss authorities to settle the confrontation ahead of the transition process.
Another proposal, according to the same official, was to hold both parliamentary and local bodies’ elections together, although a PPP member said it would not be possible logistically.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2012.
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@Sultan Ahmed: I agree with your analysis.
Pmln friemdly oppostition we dont belive them
We need to make sure the smooth transition of govermnet to the next one, we never had civilian government handing power to another civilian government...
Those cynical saying PMLN as friendly opposition have to grow up...
PMLN attitude was most sensible & responsible over the last 4 years...
PML-N spokesperson Senator Parvez Rashid also denied any meeting, saying, “Chaudhry Nisar is in London with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, Khawaja Asif is in Europe, I have been in Lahore the whole day…I don’t know who attended the meeting on our part.”
They are all abroad,different places,Europe,and London,media has no such financial status to approach them but thing is essential they within very short span of time come to the pointed place.
the PPP, according to its leaders, wants the PML-N to help it select an individual for the caretaker setup who would not write a letter to Swiss authorities.
Don't worry, there is nothing in the account ,Swiss authority already declared it. Monet has gone through and through ,it has its own way.Money disappeared no one know where because such things never stay one place,money has misplaced,it mean interim set up would be compelled to write a letter to Swiss authority.
Confrontation has been written on the fate's paper, it has become indispensable because the concerned quarters are not fair with the people and the country.
The media is so sharp and fast,the leaders for setting the game have to go abroad . Why they don't stay inside the country for talking on the matters relating to the state..
Sharp and smart media persons are approached their hidden trenches and released their resolves to the people that is unacceptable for them.
Pakistan is not dependable for them so have to go out for secret discussion...
Negotiations are gong on the interim set up in the center and proposed date for genera elections so leaders has gone abroad because they have enough for huge expenditures They are not among the down trodden people of Pakistan who waits cheaper conveyance for hours standing on the brink of roads.
@S K Afridi: You may say,friendly opposition,but I am not.I am totally disagree with your view . expressed in the comment.
Opposition Parties,excluding PTI,have double-faced role in Pakistani politics. Different categories has been set up one for public and other special in nature for ruling colleagues.They love their interests only.
Hypocrisy,adopted by them supporting all evil deeds has been created in our economy and social development,due to horrible short fall in power has made the life of people miserable already down trodden.
They are all not dependable,should reject in the upcoming general election.We need new face clean handed fresh,soft and fair minded who save Pakistan becoming a failed state,who open no account of self interests and work day and night for people's welfare and country's integrity,stability,sovereignty and security.
" Nawaz Sharif had advised Zardai to write a harmless letter to Swiss authorities" We never had any doubt that PML (N) was a friendly opposition.
The present Government has already taken a very positive step toward appointing Mr. Fakharudin G.Ibrahim as Chief Election Commissioner, This good step has been appreciated by all the stalk holders in the country as well as general public.
Likewise PPP Govt must be thinking very seriously inside, to appoint a man of very good repute as a Interim Prime Minister of Pakistan to hold forthcoming general elections in Pakistan.
I suggest that an individual with a very good repute should be nominated from Baluchistan as a Interim Prime Minister of Pakistan
Aurangzeb Humayun Chowdhry, Rawalpindi.