CHISHTIAN: Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira on Monday ruled out the possibility of a role for either the military or the judiciary in the interim set-up that will succeed the incumbent government in Islamabad in March, Radio Pakistan reported.
Addressing Chishtian Bar Association‚ Kaira made it clear that no extra-constitutional step will be tolerated and that the Constitution only lists a political president as a requirement.
He called upon the judiciary to avoid involvement in political decisions as it raises eyebrows on judiciary's role. "We respect courts and their decisions," he added.
The information minister said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government believes in the service of the people and does not pay any heed to conspiracies.
The minister announced a grant of one million rupees for Chishtian Bar Association.
Breaking militant’s back
Kaira told the gathering that the government has broken the back of Taliban. He said Pakistan is playing the role of a front-line state in the war against terrorism in the region.
Later‚ addressing PPP workers convention in Chishtian‚ the information minister said the PPP government has taken many steps for the welfare of the people.
He said the return of Benazir Bhutto to the country also paved the way for the return of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif.
Dual offices
On dual office of the president, the minister said the PML-N leadership must understand the fact that President Asif Ali Zardari's office of PPP Co-Chairman was honorary.
"The PML-N must elaborate whether it wants a democratic president or a conspirator in the Presidency," he added.
The information minister said unfortunately, the Presidency had been a root of conspiracies against democracy in the past but President Zardari strengthened the democracy by relinquishing all powers to the prime minister including the atomic control.
Kaira added that Zardari chose the Presidency to safeguard democracy against all machinations, although he could easily become the prime minister himself.
The minister stressed only a political president could protect the country, adding that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had created Pakistan through a political role.
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Kaira told the gathering that the government has broken the back of Taliban. He said Pakistan is playing the role of a front-line state in the war against terrorism in the region.
It is an admitted fact that present government with assistance of a super power has broken the back bone of insurgents and have gained glorious successes in this field but on the other they should also admitt that it is a result of their wrong policies the country stand on the verge of economic destruction. there is tremendous shortage of oil,gas and power law and order situation has become unleashed vid the recent situation of Karachi that is commercial hub of the country.
Any Pakistani leader or minister would like to explain that can Pakistan overcome its problems and difficulties without army's support and assistance?By giving this statement "Addressing Chishtian Bar Association‚ Kaira made it clear that no extra-constitutional step will be tolerated and that the Constitution only lists a political president as a requirement. He called upon the judiciary to avoid involvement in political decisions as it raises eyebrows on judiciary’s role. “We respect courts and their decisions,” he added." Kaira wants to say that we are good enough to control the conditions but why the government has badly badly badly failed to control the Karachi's conditions and killings almost daily 6 to 10 people and as far as Kaira's this statement is concerned "The information minister said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government believes in the service of the people and does not pay any heed to conspiracies." that I am really surprised that PPP is serving the nation by increasing the expensiveness on monthly basis especially increasing the tariffs of electricity,gas and petroleum products and PPP has made Pakistan's,its key departments and its nations security at risk and this is called service of the nation in PPP's stance/standpoint????
@Elhaan Khan: You are extremely right. The non-civilian actors are extremely worried as democratic government is successfully completing, for the first time in the history of Pakistan, its tenure and preparing for upcoming elections. During this tenure, despite their best efforts, wishes and multiple attempts, they could not destabilise elected government. To a large extent, the credit goes to Mian Nawaz Sharif supported the process and declined to play the same nasty role directed by security establishment as in the 80's and 90's. He remained consistent with his determination and commitment towards democracy and expressed it several times. For this reason, security establishment has been quite angry with Mian sahib and used different tactics to teach him lessons from time to time for disobeying directives. These non-civilian actors know it very well that continuation of democratic process will eventually decimate their ugly role, which they have been playing since independence. Therefore, they are trying all the weapons in their arsenal including paid puppets, anchors, and journalists. I am glad that urban Punjab has fully realised the role of establishment and not ready to accept the dominance of non-civilian actors any more. This is really a big ray of hope and last chance to save federation.
if somebody makes a sensible demand he is labelled by few quarters as tout of establishment.
So called non-political people particularly Army & Judiciary has been ruling this country for most of this history and they have only created long lasting problems. Both organisations should do their duty which they are failing miserably. While politicians at least give privileged sections some aid from Bashir Bilour to ordinary Bashira on the street cannot dream of security and from Salman Taseer to an ordinary street man cannot get justice.
Punjab has to reject the proxies of establishment otherwise fall of this federation will fall on their shoulders, I'm glad to know that some people from Punjab appreciating Kaira's statement . Remember one thing, PPP is not a system and just a political party if they have failed to perform , you can show them door through voting power but no more room for Rawalpindi's role in politics which will take Pakistan to another fragmentation. We can debate that whether we want direct democracy "Presidential system of govt" or should keep going with current system of govt but that change should not come from GHQ which will put Iranian style of Guardian Council on the elected President.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: Mr.Siddiqui, in the past, we have witnessed the character played by so called HONEST NON-POLITICAL actors in this country in the name of Islam, accountability, and corruption. Pakistan cannot afford to experiment with such an idea. Let the democracy flourish in this country in the most natural way. Choosing interim government is the right of ruling coalition and opposition only. No one including judiciary, technocrats, and armed forces has any right to meddle with it. Rest assured, continuation of democracy, without interruption from non-civilian actors, will bring long term stability, prosperity, and sovereignty to this country. No more idiocracy and conspiracies please.
so that you can loot freely???
@Ch. Allah Daad: What about the Government respecting the judiciary and implementing its decisions! If they have the cheek to ignore the law then they should not object to the balance being restored in favour of judiciary. They can not have the cake and eat it too. You now need to accept the new Pakistan where you will have to take the back seat and let others drive the engine. Enough of corruption and lawlessness.
So in the interim set-up again the government will be consisting on PPP, PML-N and other political parties leaders?
Why not non-political people of high dignity and repute should be given a chance to serve the country.
Propably the non-political people may deliver much more in the interim set-up, which the political leaders were not able to deliver during their entire tenure of 5 years.
Agreed with Kaira..Absolutely no role for Army and Judiciary in care taker government. Constitution is very clear about it. Only the government and opposition in parliament has authority to establish interim set up. We the people of Pakistan have waited five long years and tolerated this most inept government to change it with our votes. We have obeyed constitution and did not come on streets inspite of worst times. We need no ones help. Judiciary and Army should do their duty i.e providing justice and protecting our borders respectively. Governing is not their job.
This must be the stance taken by all democratic forces in pakistan, let the puppets of establishment expose themselves by rejecting this notion.