Accountability: PML-N to oppose bill tooth and nail, says Chaudhry Nisar

Opposition leader says Fair Trial Bill was not passed with consensus.

ISLAMABAD:

Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Friday that his party – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – would oppose any government attempt to get the accountability bill passed from parliament.

“We will do everything within our reach to stop the government from getting the accountability bill passed,” Chaudhry Nisar told journalists at his chamber.

He clarified that the Fair Trial Bill was not passed with a consensus and that the PML-N had no tacit agreement with the government over it. “We proposed maximum amendments which were incorporated, yet the most vital ones were ignored,” he added. The declaration by the deputy speaker of the National Assembly was incorrect, he said.

Chaudhry Nisar said December 21st only proved to be a “doomsday” for Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa, as he was removed from office. “The change of governor in Punjab proves that the federal government is puzzled,” he added. “Appointing a South Punjab politician, Makhdoom Syed Ahmed Mehmood, as governor will not address the grievances of the people of the Seraiki region.”

Chaudhry Nisar said the move would neither alleviate miseries the people of South Punjab have been suffering for the last five years, nor will it change the political thought of PML-Functional [to which Makhdoom Mehmood belongs]. “It was just an ugly attempt to influence the upcoming general elections,” he added.

Chaudhry Nisar went on to say that his party would consult all opposition parties before the general elections to decide whether to demand the removal of all four provincial governors. After the 18th Amendment no one can hold public office if one of his/her relatives is a candidate in parliamentary elections.

The government is also spreading a false impression that it will ensure free and fair elections, he said. “The elections will be held under a caretaker set-up and not the incumbent government.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2012.