Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. PHOTO: ASIM SHAHZAD/EXPRESS
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday called on Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif to discuss Pakistan-India relations in the wake of recent shift of power in New Delhi.
According to well-placed sources, both the CM Punjab and COAS discussed India’s prime minister-in-waiting Narindra Modi’s invitation to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to participate in his oath-taking ceremony on May 26 along with SAARC nations’ heads.
They said that both Raheel Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif agreed that in view of the advice of various stakeholders a high-powered delegation, instead of the PM, should attend the ceremony.
The sources said CM Shahbaz and Raheel Sharif discussed composition of the delegation and the possible issues the Pakistani delegation could face during its trip.
They said Shahbaz along with PM’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and Adviser to PM on National Security Sartaj Aziz are likely to participate in the oath-taking ceremony.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2014.
COMMENTS (23)
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It is obvious that if Mr Nawaz Sharif acts outside the mandate of the people, causing public unrest, the military doctrine as established by the late Ayub Khan will be invoked and he, the Prime Minister will be removed from his post.
Rex Minor
ha ha ha its only the beginning ,lets see what happens next.every body knows who is the actual ruler of the country
@Saad:
"Its not taking permission. Simply asking for advice from various parties. Nothing wrong with that."
It is not advice, but it is directive from the army as has been the case in Pakistan ever since its creation.
Can you imagine in truly democratic countries such as US, EU countries, India etc. the civilian leaders seeking permission from their army leaders on foreign policy?
we are happy that pakistan has such sensible leaders - that they know that the best thing is to have friendship and peace with all countries of the world- then even the most difficult problems get amicably solved- if china would have looked at taiwan through a narrow prism of grabbing taiwan forcefully- , they would not have a 150 billion dollars annual trade between them which has created prosperity, jobs, homes for millions of people in both the countries- the same can happen between india and pakistan- if you harp on a problem of kashmir constantly- then you will miss a golden opportunity to take india -pakistan trade to a 50 billion dollars level and jobs, prosperity for millions of pakistanis and indians--- our common enemy is poverty, joblessness, lack of proper homes etc, let us solve these problems then try to solve the other political problems...
sharifs apparently seems to be eyeing making money on doing family business from india that's why dying to appease their indian masters to soften trade for the loss of Pakistan's economy but for the profit of their private businesses
Is this a royalty where younger brother heads a delegation He is just like other three chief Ministers This man plays good cop when big brother acts like bad cop But both are sides of same coin.....At heart its their business interests that drive them to India like their protagonists Geo Group....The whole worlds experience of business czars running governments is terrible be it Berlusconi Shinawatra...without strong institutional checks these businessmen bring ruin to the nations they run .THe Sharif brothers in mere one year have mortgaged two generations of Pakistanis in QARZA which they were drum beating a year back that its a curse in the name of Pak Chian Friendship and powwer crisis the kick backs running onto $ 4 Billion Dollars biggest ever scam of histiry ofPakistan rather south Asia....qualifies for Guinnes Book Sharif brothers are so fond of . creating records..thanks to Pakistan Army for at least putting a check on the lust and greed of these politicians..
why only shabaz shareef..? what about other C.M...only punjab represent pakistan.
@faisal: I agree. Provincial legislators donot have the mandate for involvement in fedaral issues. If mr. Sharif is so inclined he should contest for a national assembly seat. About the sinking ship, i think it has been sinking for quite a while now. Sure the sharif brothers have their part in it. But this time around i think it is too late for anyone to do anything about it.
" Raheel Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif agreed that in view of the advice of various stakeholders a high-powered delegation, instead of the PM, should attend the ceremony." Three cheers for Pakistan's democracy..hip, hip, hurray!
Army is always behind the every decision of civil/democratic government and this is only just due to incapability,inexperience and immaturity of civil/democratic leadership in Pakistan....
khoni oops sorry modi sarkar sent invitations to all SAARC countries out of which Bangladesh and Nepal are sending their ministers etc. but here in Pakistan jokers devoid of any sense of respect for this country are dancing in delirium as of khoni sorry again modi has sent an exclusive invitation to them
why cant we live together as good friends? may be this opens a door for the betterment of both nations.
I thought he was a provincial CM. Is this his mandate? Btw, his elder brother's running of country on adhocism is sinking him real fast.
Modiji SMILES...He got the answer on the 'Power' of Nawas with this small Invitation..
Knowing Modi, if Nawaz does not visit, this may be the last time Modi ever contacts Nawaz.
@BruteForce: Its not taking permission. Simply asking for advice from various parties. Nothing wrong with that.
Something is better than nothing.
Is this democracy or dictatorship? Who's taking orders and who's giving them?
A postive decision.
A) why shahbaz shareef and why not parveez khattak ? Nawaz Sharif , this is not 1990's - people are more educated and aware. They will ask questions
B) Unfortunately taking the yes nod from army cont. in our politics.
Who is independent...!
Woah! Invitation to Nawaz Mian, and COAS, this guy is depressed. Please sir, don't cry. After the Military Coup, when you become the king of Pakistan like Zia ul Haq and Musshy, even you don't call him at your ceremony.