PML-N to talk to all parties on caretaker set-up

Says it doesn’t matter if even 10 premiers are dismissed – law is supreme.


Our Correspondent July 19, 2012

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has announced that his party will hold talks with all political forces, even those not holding seats in the assemblies, for the setting up of a caretaker government.

Speaking to the media in Lahore on Wednesday, Sharif was, however, noncommittal on a question regarding the status of negotiations between the PML-N and the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). He did say that the talks between the government and opposition on a caretaker set-up were enshrined in the Constitution under the 20th Amendment.

Regarding talks with other parties, Nawaz said that, though it was the job of the government, the PML-N would also be approaching all political forces on the caretaker set-up. The PML-N chief had on Wednesday presided over a party meeting in which the affairs of provincial party organisation were discussed.

Judiciary-govt row

On a question regarding the chief justice of Pakistan’s remarks a few days ago questioning the supremacy of Parliament, Nawaz supported the notion of the Constitution being supreme. He said everything stems from the law.

Regarding the July 25 deadline set by the apex court for Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to comply with its order and write a letter to Swiss authorities, the PML-n chief said that it was mandatory for the government to obey the court’s direction. “It is useless to say that one prime minister has been ousted so a second should not be; the law is clear,” he said. “No matter which government it is – even if it’s ours; if it does not comply with the court orders, then losing even 10 prime ministers is not a big deal.”

Next elections

Nawaz said that party tickets for the general elections would be awarded after consultations with party workers, adding that this was not possible for the 2008 polls.  When asked about speculations that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf will give a “tough time” to PML-N in the next polls, Nawaz laughed and said: “PPP has always given us a tough time, it is still doing so. But when the elections come, and every party comes face-to-face with each other, then the truth will come out. “We will also give a tough time to those who are planning to give us a tough time,” he added.

The PML-N chief also announced that he will be leaving for Sindh to strike an alliance with the Sindh United Party. “We have added a lot of good personalities from Sindh to our party.”

He said that if it is not possible now, local bodies polls should be held after the general elections.

CEC appointment

Reposing faith in the newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner, Nawaz said that Fakhruddin G Ebrahim is an “upright man with a respected personality”. He added: “Now, the prospects of free and fair elections have gone up.”

PPP welcomes

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira on Wednesday welcomed the statement of the PML-N chief on consultations. Speaking to media representatives in Islamabad, he said that the PPP believes in politics of reconciliation and to take all political forces on board.

He said that the government and opposition were engaged in dialogue but no specific talks were being held for a caretaker set-up yet.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19th, 2012.

COMMENTS (3)

Mair Jatoi | 11 years ago | Reply

This is very godd gesture shown by PML(N).

Laraib Sultan | 11 years ago | Reply

This is a mature politics by a mature politician. Nawaz Sharif is a great leader. Allah bless him.

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