Nawaz says PML-N welcomes ex-members
Party will welcome “some” of its former members who had defected to join former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
ISLAMABAD:
PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday his party will welcome “some” of its former members who had defected to join former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
“Those who remained with the party in difficult times are its asset… and our doors are also open for those who want to join the PML-N,” Sharif said in a meeting with the bigwigs of his party. Sharif’s statement comes days after it was reported that Musharraf was planning to launch his own political party with most of PML-Q members willing to join him.
Snubbing a recent statement by MQM chief Altaf Hussain in which Hussain announced support for a “martial law-like action by patriotic generals against corrupt and feudal politicians,” Sharif said, “The government’s failure should not be taken as a failure of democracy…it should never become a pretext for the imposition of martial law.” “Those who invite generals for martial law must think before they speak,” a party statement quoted Sharif as saying.
Senator Pervaiz Raheed, Sharif’s close aide, told The Express Tribune that the offer has been extended to young and educated people wishing to develop a career in politics. “But even those,” he added, “who left the party but never meant any harm for it could be considered for rejoining.” Senator Rasheed said that except a few families and those who tried to split the party, everyone will be welcomed back. He said the Chaudhry family (Shujaat Hussain), Mian Azhar, Humayun Akhtar Khan, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Ijazul Haq will never be allowed.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2010.
PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday his party will welcome “some” of its former members who had defected to join former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
“Those who remained with the party in difficult times are its asset… and our doors are also open for those who want to join the PML-N,” Sharif said in a meeting with the bigwigs of his party. Sharif’s statement comes days after it was reported that Musharraf was planning to launch his own political party with most of PML-Q members willing to join him.
Snubbing a recent statement by MQM chief Altaf Hussain in which Hussain announced support for a “martial law-like action by patriotic generals against corrupt and feudal politicians,” Sharif said, “The government’s failure should not be taken as a failure of democracy…it should never become a pretext for the imposition of martial law.” “Those who invite generals for martial law must think before they speak,” a party statement quoted Sharif as saying.
Senator Pervaiz Raheed, Sharif’s close aide, told The Express Tribune that the offer has been extended to young and educated people wishing to develop a career in politics. “But even those,” he added, “who left the party but never meant any harm for it could be considered for rejoining.” Senator Rasheed said that except a few families and those who tried to split the party, everyone will be welcomed back. He said the Chaudhry family (Shujaat Hussain), Mian Azhar, Humayun Akhtar Khan, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Ijazul Haq will never be allowed.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2010.