Punjab

Nawaz Sharif proposes national charter

Sharif proposes a special charter “outlining the country’s development” path for 25 years.

Anwer Sumra October 29, 2010

LAHORE: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday proposed a special charter “outlining the country’s development” path for 25 years and “addressing the problems of the masses” with broad consensus.

Such a charter, which Nawaz recommends be called Meesaq-e-Pakistan, is “the only solution to all the evils ailing the country”. Nawaz, who heads the mainstream Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, was talking to media persons after offering condolences to South Asian Free Media Association secretary-general Imtiaz Alam (Safma) upon the death of his mother.

The 25-year plan should recognise the supremacy of the constitution and parliament, according to Sharif. “The country will advance only if all the segments of society, including the civil society and the media, would stop thinking of themselves as ‘sacred cows’,” he said.

The agenda-setting should be made after taking on board all political parties, members of the judiciary, the armed forces, as well as civil society and media representatives.

“To achieve prosperity, it is essential that political forces honour the sanctity of the ballot and the mandate of the people,” he said. “I have requested the government to prepare a 25-year Meesaq-e-Pakistan, to address the problems of the masses. It is a unique event in history that the opposition is requesting the ruling party to prepare a 25-year agenda for the development of the country.”

Nawaz also spoke out in favour of developing national consensus on all important issues. “In these days of desperation, the nation is longing to listen to good news,” he said, adding that political forces should honour the constitution.

Speaking about Asma Jahangir’s election as Supreme Court Bar Association president through annual elections, Nawaz said: “She is a person who thinks positively. I am sure she would speak for the supremacy of law and constitution”.

In a reference to the unification of all Pakistan Muslim League factions, he asked, “Who is doing this?”

Nawaz said that he had met a number of senior journalists and had discussed several topics of national importance with them, including sustainability, social justice, economic prosperity, peace, eradication of terrorism, strong relations with the world, particularly India, and civil and military understanding.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (15)

WAQAR | 14 years ago | Reply Dear Anonymous . Where I almost agree with some parts of your annalysis, there I totally disagree with your remark "What is tad more disappointing is the large section of Pakistan that supports such a party with no actionable results". This is precisely the point that I want everyone to understand. In Pakistan the max turnout in all of the past elections has never crossed 25 to 30% at best(though it is my rough guess) So the loonies sitting in the assemblies get elected at best by 12 to 15% votes.Meaning by the balance 70% of the listed voters hold the real power. This 12 to 15% definately is not a large section of the complete population cake. So its a wake up call for all listed Pakistani voters. Please go and vote these quacks out..

WAQAR | 14 years ago | Reply Dear the insurgency and the american intervention is primarily because of the reason following:- We are a socially unjust state Which Makes us weak And Allows America to intrude into our affairs If at we are serious in surviving as an independent state within the comitte of nations we have to take extra ordinary decions. No amount of mopping under the mat is going to help we have to brush out the dirt and throw it into the Arabian Sea. If you ask me to give you a one liner answer for delivering what I suggest it shall be " PLEASE ASK THE SLEEPING MAJORITY OF PAKISTAN TO WAKE UP AND VOTE AGAINST THE COMPLETE LEADERSHIP PRESENTLY AT THE HELM OF AFFAIRS" I assure you that if that happens non of these quacks will be seen in Pakistans assembly halls and CHANGE WILL COME. Neither the insurgency nor America can stop it , but if we keep sleeping then ALLAH too will not help us. SO PLEASE VOTE THEM OUT.

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Anonymous | 14 years ago | Reply Seriously, another "charter"? Whenever he's out of ideas, he proposes a charter. This has been going on since his days of premiership. There is a huge gap between talk and actions with Nawaz. What is tad more disappointing is the large section of Pakistan that supports such a party with no actionable results. They're just all talk. And when in opposition, I MUST admit, they are one of the best opposition parties. Simple because, they are pretty good at pointing out problems, but when it comes to execution stage, they pretend to rise to the international stage, sign declarations, charters and what not. This country has become a joke. It has lost credibility. I am not a Pakistani, but I have been taking strong interest in its political scenario because over the years it has managed to achieve the status for a classic case study where politicians, lawyers, army, media, civilians all have contributed equally to shattering democracy. There is nothing left. A good start would be to restructure the country's politics and governance and put in checks and balances. That chief justice Iftikhar is no less. Army has played a good and bad role as well. Everyone seems to enjoy this interference business. Although some leaders, for eg. like Musharraf made mistakes during governance, I must admit, atleast they had solid proof of their record in terms of governance credibility - like reducing unemployment, increasing foreign reserves, economic growth. Forget Zardari - pointless talking about him. He is the guy with least amount of credibility. Next would be Nawaz. Makhdoon Amin Faheem has got some form of credibility in terms of leadership. The Chaudhry brothers- I'd take a neutral stance on them. They have made mistakes, and done some good too. Gilani is being a good diplomat. But in terms of execution, he is yet to produce some tangible results like Musharraf. But if he is to tell us that Musharraf left the country at a poor position for him to rule like Obama did, then its a lame excuse. Musharraf was able to do it when Pakistan was at the worst point (1996-1997 i think), then why can't he? Stop finding out ways to cover your ass, and DO YOUR DAMN JOB. Obama's reason is genuine. Gilani needs to take in some economist/finance expert that is not a politician...someone like Shaukat with an almost clean track record. That's what the country needs in its governance structure. Imran Khan is better suited to be the President of Pakistan cricket board and govern that aspect. The others - MQM MMA and few others. less significant. They have yet to do anything significant. Peace Out.

Muhammad Ahsan Khan | 14 years ago | Reply Any statement of Nawaz Sharif should be looked through a critical lens. In all priorities his personal interests are supreme. The Meesaq-e-Pakistan movement may very well lead him to the title of Amir-ul-Momeneen.! Let us see what he says: //The 25-year plan should recognise the supremacy of the constitution and parliament, according to Sharif. // In a Democracy, it is people which is supreme and sovereign to govern itself directly or indirectly. A written constitution is only valid if it is accepted and validated by the people (referendum!). The present constitution has nothing to do with people. It is neither of people for the people no by the people. It is an Islamic Constitution construed by the self proclaimed secular leaders who aimed to govern the people in the name of Islam. //The agenda-setting should be made after taking on board all political parties, members of the judiciary, the armed forces, as well as civil society and media representatives.// Again, people is absent from this agenda. Nawas Sharif wants a coalition of political parties. In the name of parties he simply means the leaders like him. On board will be all his friends who have already failed the nation in the past. The judiciary and the army will be there to help the politicians to BETTER RULE the people (slave!).. //I have requested the government to prepare a 25-year Meesaq-e-Pakistan, to address the problems of the masses.// Big joke. For last 63 years the different governments have been working HARD to make the lives of the people from bad to worse and now all of a sudden the tendency will be reversed towards the betterment of the miserable.. Any Political Force in Pakistan is not the Force of the People but it is the strength of individual Political Leader. //She is a person who thinks positively. I am sure she would speak for the supremacy of law and constitution//. If she does, it is not be a proof her “positive thinking” but it will be a (doubtful!) proof that she is on the wagon of Sharif and Party. //Nawaz said that he had met a number of senior journalists and had discussed several topics of national importance with them, including sustainability, social justice, economic prosperity, peace, eradication of terrorism, strong relations with the world, particularly India, and civil and military understanding.// Since when the journalists have become the experts in Political Science, Economy, Law, jurisprudence, Ecology, Social Reforms… and all others combined, besides journalism?? Cheers, YA Amir-ul-Momeneen

Sultan Ahmed. | 14 years ago | Reply Good idea, but its implementation is impossible to the great extend, there is insurgency, and alliance with The united states, the two hurdles in the way,can not be removed.

WAQAR | 14 years ago | Reply I coluld not help notice lately the iron rod fixed in the neck of Nawaz Sharif, the stiff neck of Zardari and the sinikle attitude coupled with arrogance in Fauzia Wahab. I really wonder if they have read Allahs farman in the Holy Qurran, wherby people have been warned not to be arrogant. But arrogance is what has been indrilled in them cause they are thought to be the eleite lot of POOR PAKISTAN. Again I wonder what Angilena Joli had to say about our humble Prime Minister!!!!!!!!!!! Its just a shame for all of us. No MESAQ is going to work for us as no matter what you write if one lacks the will to implement it squarely on all segments of the society. I am really ashamed of myself and do not find a plausable excuse to put before Allah Allmighty whenever I face Him for having done what I have done to his such precious GIFT. MY COUNTRY. But still I do love my country and dream of good days where leaders are of the likes of Hazrat Umar Khattab(RA). I dearlt pray to Allah for such a leader for Pakistan and if the cost for that is my or my childrens life I shall most dearly present it to MY COUNTRY. But I am not ready to believe any of these liars.

WAQAR | 14 years ago | Reply I think that more than anything there are at best three basic steps that need to be taken, in order to put Pakistan back on track, we do not need any long agenda and if Niwaz Sharif or any other loony from the hiercicy does not want take these steps then they are defenately trying to make a fool of this nation. STEP 1 Law must reign supreme and be applied in letter and spirit upon all Pakistani Nationals equally. Step 2. Parliment must pass a legislation against corruption awarding death penelty/capital punnishment, hence forth, and all involved in raising illgotten wealth piles prior to passing of the bill should be given relaxation from receipt of capital punnishiment provided they hand over all of their complete movable and immovable property to the state. Step 3. All appointments done in the governmant sectors on political or personal basis should be done away with and a minimum punnishment of life imprisonment should be given to anyone voilating the employment criteria.

Zeeshan Usmani | 14 years ago | Reply It is very nice and feel very happy that some people still alive who think about our beloved country.

Omar Shahid | 14 years ago | Reply A very nice proposal

Ihsan ur Rehman | 14 years ago | Reply Its really nice to see that some one is talking for betterment of Pakistan. Its time to rise above the party politics and discuss the major issues concerned with our beloved homeland. There should be charter of concensus on areas like - Education Policy - Energy Crises - Social Justice - Overcoming rising inflation ( Mehanghai) - Poverty Elevation - Economic Growth - Rising Corruption - Our relations with Neighbouring Countries - So called War on Terrorism - Kahsmir Policy and so on- May God grant Pakistan some leadership..........................................

Nasim Yousuf | 14 years ago | Reply Bravo Mr. Sharif!!!! Another Charter after Charter of Democracy, looks like Ahsan Iqbal & Chaudry Nisar have to do a lot of brain storming again for drafting this charter. Mr Sharif Who will be signing this charter besides you?

Aftab Kenneth Wilson | 14 years ago | Reply Is this a Meesaq e Pakistan or Mazaaq e Pakistan??? He is also inviting other state pillars to join in his composed "Chorus". It seems as if PPP is under drone attacks from all opportunists who always try to enter from the back doors of corridors. We must try to strengthen the system not the individuals.

Hamza Baloch | 14 years ago | Reply He should not purpose such ideas.... As govt always do oposite of that what Newaz say :)

abdul rehman | 14 years ago | Reply dear sir i read news your i daily news paper thankyou from abdul rehman

Kamran show | 14 years ago | Reply Nice and wel job from Kami USA

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