Nawaz wants to believe the upcoming polls will be 'free and fair'

Urges judiciary and ECP to take note of Sindh and Balochistan assembly acting unconstitutionally.

RAIWIND: "We are ready to believe that the elections will be free and fair. But what is happening in Sindh and Balochistan does not guarantee this,” saaid Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif while addressing a press conference.

Nawaz clarified that he did not have any personal relationship with any of the people whose name they proposed for the interim set up, be it prime minister or chief minister Punjab.

When asked what reservations do they have against the other nominees for the interim prime minister he said that media is intelligent enough to decide who should be selected, hinting that their choice fully satisfies the eligibility criteria for the post.

The PML-N chief added that the selection of the caretaker prime minister was continuing according to the procedure laid down in the Constitution.

“Nasir Aslam Zahid [PML-N’s nominee for interim Prime Minister] did not belong to any party so he would not have fallen prey to foul play which is happening in Sindh and Balochistan assemblies.”

“Although it wasn’t mandatory, we discussed with all the parties before giving the name for caretaker premier,” Nawaz said.

“We all know why MQM [Muttahida Qaumi Movement] suddenly sat in the opposition and immediately appointed an opposition leader. We are hearing things about how they [political parties] have decided to [equally] distribute the seats of interim cabinet amongst their members,” he alleged, referring to alleged ulterior motives of other parties.

Nawaz termed this pre-poll rigging, said it is violating the twentieth amendment in the Constitution and urged the judiciary and ECP to take notice.

Opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar also expressed his views, “Leaders from various opposition parties were invited to Nawaz Sharif’s place to decide on the caretaker set up. We have decided that once caretaker government is set up then we will demand them to take fair decision [to minimise pre-poll rigging] regarding the other 45 posts."

“We want to take other parties along so we welcome people who wish to do seat adjustment with us,” Nawaz said.

Speaking on Pervez Musharraf’s return, he said, “I personally feel that no one should be exiled from their own country or forced to leave in any case.” He further said that law of the land will prevail.