Pakistan

PML-N warns of a long march

Shahbaz Sharif tells Zardari to stop making whimsical decisions.

Express October 11, 2010

KHUSHAB: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has rejected the appointment of Justice (retd) Deedar Hussain Shah as the new chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and threatened to lead a long march against the government if President Asif Zardari did not mend his ways.

Speaking at a ceremony in the Joharabad area of Khushab, Sharif warned that Zardari should stop making whimsical decisions because the country cannot be run in this manner for long.

He said that by appointing Shah as the new NAB chief, the government has not only “slapped justice in the face, but has also tried to bury the $60 million looted national wealth.”

Terming the appointment an effort to weaken the law, he said it would support corruption. Sharif said that it would be impossible to expect impartiality and justice from Shah because he had been a PPP candidate in the elections.

He said that his party has decided to launch a countrywide agitation movement against this appointment, adding that Pakistan is not anyone’s personal property and no-one should be allowed to plunder national wealth.

He said that the wealth looted from Pakistan and kept in Swiss banks actually belonged to the country’s poor.

Criticising the government for its inaction on solving critical problems faced by the people, Sharif said that most people were still without basic health and education facilities.

“The country is passing through the most difficult phase of its history but we will surmount the challenge,” he said.

“Our agriculture, bridges, roads, houses and hospitals have been devastated but all this will not discourage us from getting on our feet,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (2)

Nadia Anjum | 13 years ago | Reply No one knows what the agenda of PML-N is; on one hand it is quite vocal in supporting democracy while on the other hand it is constantly undermining democratic process. The senior PML-N leaders, especially Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, have now returned to similar rhetoric, using highly confrontational language against the federal government and especially President Asif Ali Zardari. Both Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif have accused Zardari of corruption and plunder and of keeping the money earned by such means in Swiss banks. They demanded that these funds be returned to the Pakistani state. Other PML-N leaders were no less vocal in directly attacking Zardari in the PML-N’s public meeting in Lahore on October 12. The PML-N’s anger increased after the appointment of Justice (retired) Deedar Ali Shah as chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The style and method of politics are also devoid of the democratic spirit. The latest threat by Shahbaz Sharif to launch another ‘long march’ does not augur well for the future of democracy. Some of the leading PML-N leaders, especially the provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and engage in an unnecessary war of words. Their provocative rhetoric spoils the environment for political management. The leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, appears to be in an angry mood all the time and does not miss an opportunity for a verbal outburst against the federal government, especially Asif Ali Zardari. It seems that PML-N is losing its patience, if PML-N is worshipper of democracy it must wait for its turn, rather than using cheap tactics to subvert democracy.

Sultan Ahmed. | 13 years ago | Reply The man, has been appointed as a NAB chief no doubt is a disputed personality. He was elected MPA on the PPP's ticket, and also defense counsel in the Zardari case, so apposition understand that Deedar Shah is not a impartial so have objection. They are right or wrong in their stance, it is a different matter,but shouldn't threat of long march because country is not in position to face such circumstances. Sit together and seek consensus on the matter. In case, opposition goes to the apex court and challenge the appointment for this new debate will be started in the political battle field. The matter require pragmatic steps,pragmatic approach and should adopt realistic way leads to the solution of the problems created by the appointment. there is great difference in the point of view, opposition says; consultation mean seeking the consent of the opposition and on the other hand spokesman of the federal government says, government is not bound of advice of the opposition. Now parties are going to the apex court, that is right option,and as for regards long march it is not in favor of national interests.

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