ISLAMABAD: In a statement, that is likely to reverberate in the corridors of power for days to come, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah on Tuesday said that if the prime minister voluntarily announces early polls to save the nascent democratic system, the Pakistan Peoples Party .
However, the veteran PPP leader said the system would be disrupted if mid-term polls are held forcefully.
“It will not be appropriate to force Prime Minister tender resignation on gun point. PPP will not accept any such mid- term polls” Shah remarked.
However, he pointed out that the premier can voluntarily call for mid-term elections.
“In case situation becomes so, the prime minister can himself call for mid-term elections.”
Shah, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly, has been criticised of late for being soft on the PML-N government - a change in the party’s stance points towards a strategic shift after being crushed in last year’s general elections by the incumbent PML-N.
Shah went on to clarify that his party supports democracy and wants to strengthen Parliament. Further, he claimed, PPP’s public meeting in Karachi on October 18 is aimed at strengthening democracy. “It has nothing to do with lending any support to Imran Khan or Dr Tahirul Qadri. Our rally will be for strengthening the system,” he added.
The PPP leader slammed PTI chief Imran Khan – who has levelled corruption allegations against Shah in recent times – saying he lives in a fool’s paradise. “Imran’s dream of rooting out PPP from Sindh will never come true,” he added.
Shah also demanded a Supreme Court-led probe into rigging allegations. Referring to the sit-ins in Islamabad, Shah said, “the government is facing the current crisis as a result of their own mistakes." He went on to add that negotiations are the only solution to resolve the current political stalemate, while warning of a ‘third force’ which is waiting to take advantage of the impasse.
The PPP leader also admitted that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz came into power because of mistakes by the PPP government.
Rs10b defamation notice to PTI chief
Shah also sent a defamation notice to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan for "hurling unsubstantiated allegations of corruption” against him.
The PPP leader said he would withdraw his claim if the PTI chief tendered an unconditional apology or agreed to pay Rs100 million within a period of 14 days.
A letter in this regard has been written by Senator Raza Rabbani, the PPP’s additional secretary general.
Over the past weeks, Imran has accused Shah of involvement in financial improprieties, claiming that graft inquiries against him were underway.
He also accused Shah of showing undue favour to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in exchange for personal gains.
On September 26, the PPP stalwart said that he pays Rs2.5 million in taxes every year and was never implicated in any corruption case.
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The price of electricity has doubled for us, the commercial user, and still remain erratic since they have come in. Their coal project, is bringing unwanted technology which is expensive and highly polluting. Moreover the terms of credit by the Chinese will be passed on to the consumer, yet again, to pay more than Rs 40/ unit. Line losses remain as they were when they took office. so there you have it…5 year is not a holy grail. They should realize the writing on the wall and as democrats as they claim, let the people decide earlier if that is what is required to have the moral authority to run the country.
At least PPP has shown its inner feelings and intentions to take the revenge of rigging in the May 2013's elections and in the other words PPP is endorsing the PTI's and PAT's stances regarding Nawaz Sharif's and Shahbaz Sharif's resignation over rigging and murder and confessing that May 2013's elections were rigged.
go nawaz go
Three reasons mid term election are not good for the country. First, it will be disastrous for PTI. It will lose all its strength and public support. Secondly, PPP will win few more seats, which is not good for the country. Thirdly, defeated Imran will leave country, which is not good for media and entertainment industry.
GO NAWAZ GO! Now when even school children, forget about adults, are also shouting GO NAWAZ GO there is no justification, at least from social and moral point of view if not otherwise, for PM Nawaz to stay on and therefore he in his own interest and respect must tender his resignation forthwith unless he is waiting for the moment to hear GO NAWAZ GO from none but Maryam Nawaz even I am afraid. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
@chaudhry H. Very valid point what have the previous government don't over the last 15-16 to combat electricity shortage? Why is so much expected of this government you can't produce electricity over night. The electricity that is produced In Pakistan is from expensive sources eg oil and gas. Where we're the people under zardari? Why didn't we here go zardari go? Because he gave everyone a slice of the big pie. Choudhary H I'm glad not everyone has been blinded by the biased media people like mubashar luqman who served under musharraf
Go Nawaz Go !!! Say no to VIP Culture remember VIP protocols do not even allow ambulances to pass
NS should not cave in. No mid-term polls on demand by mobs and their "leaders." We do not want Pakistan to become a mobocracy.
@H Chaudhry: The people did not vote PMLN in, a bunch of criminal employees stuffed the ballot boxes with fake votes to make their employer win and no we won't let these criminals rule over us any longer. GO NAWAZ GO!
@Mirza: and would be strongly rejected by the rural masses of Pakistani heartland This can only come from a wadera or a jagirdar who know how to manipulate the local uneducated to vote people of their choice. Absent this their lordship will end forever.
The country is in dire need of a broader land reform to free rural junta from their masters.
Should we call this a U turn which IK is generally known for?
Hahaha.... PPP gettin ready to jump ship after theyve seen the effect IK is having!
Suddenly their love for "saving the system" is about to take a backseat...
Unscrupulous as always!
@xulfjan:
Just like you dont expect IK to turn peshawar into tokyo in one year, don't expect NS to do the same. And coal energy is used even in the developed world. United States generates about 20% of its electricity from coal. Please don't just criticize for the sake of criticism.
@Mirza: I agree with you Mirza. The elections would be decided in the rural areas and not by rich burgers. Character is imp for traditional Pakistanis and it does count. Sowing the oats all around the globe and then claiming to lead our children is not going to happen. First let them take care of their children rather than living of other people's riches.
@Real Truth: Under no circumstances should mid term polls be announced. That would only encourage anti state behavior and prevent economic growth. Imagine that every time someone gets a few thousand angry protesters and force the government to resign or announce polls - there would be never ending instability. The anti democratic forces don't respect the majority view of voters. That's their problem. Let the anti democracy people all stay in containers until 2018!
@Real Truth: How can the government focus on common mans problems when they themselves are busy in saving the corrupt system. cant you see that common man cannot pay their ELECTRICITY BILLS anymore because the increase is out of reach and due to this there has been substantial increase in other basic commodities as well. Just open your eyes all who are supporting the government and system, if a common man on daily basis buys small amount of food just for one meal for 4 person and in the same manner buys tea and sugar and milk just for one time usage and live in a 2 room house with 2 lights and fans, the approximate figure comes to 15000/month. so if he needs this much for living on daily basis than how can he cover the education of just say 2kids for-example. Just grow up and stop supporting the system which is wrong. . Only Few (Few families) have profited from the system. they are using tax money for there own luxurious trips and life style. We need early election and kick these criminals out of the parliament and lets give them a shut up call, once and for all.
@H Chaudhry
Thats that point. They didn't get our vote. The mandate was stolen. Besides, it's our democratic right to demand the PMs resignation. In 1997, Nawaz passed the 14th ammendment which means the current Parliament has NO power whatsoever to dismiss the PM no matter what he does. That is against the whole idea of democracy.
The PM is because of the people. Don't question me who I am. If the Pml really got the people's vote, then why haven't the elections been audited? Let's have another election and really see who the people chose.
In last year’s elections the establishment, and TTP had made life impossible for ANP and PPP to even contest openly and freely. Establishment and TTP wanted their rightwing partners and supporters NS and IK to come to power. However, NS started becoming too strong for establishment liking and IK could not perform much in KPK and became JI and other ally’s puppet. They are even changing the text books in KPK under JI pressure. The sudden emergence of PPP and Bilawal on the political scene is an indication that as a compromise there may be midterm elections and the date may be announced sooner rather than later. This would be better than having to form a national govt or army/technocrat rule. Also getting a vote of confidence the two major parties once again prove their popularity. IK and Qadri are more interested in boycotting the elections and would be strongly rejected by the rural masses of Pakistani heartland. With TTP weakened and Pakistani nationals sick and tired of their brand of terrorism, ANP and PPP would emerge back after they had conceded walkover in 2013. Elections are not decided by the urban elites but the 70% poor Pakistanis living in villages, work on daily wages and do not have luxury to sit in the capital for months without working. They have to work every day for a living and raise their families and cannot leave them on other people’s money in luxury!
@Saeed: "Only 3.5 years" :) no wonder time is relative and quite cheap for some perceptions, whole new countries are carved out in 3.5 years or in this context can be disappeared from the map.
Elections must be held this year so that Imran Khan takes over from 1st January, 2015 inshaallah, aamen. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
@Saeed Thanks for surety that next election wouldn't be hijacked. For heavens sake realize that fair elections are to be ensured in this country otherwise NS and Zardari will continue with their turns.
This government came through rigged polls.
Go Nawaz Go
If Mr. Zardai was a disappointment for this country, Mr. Sharif proved himself "mega disappointment" in just one year.
@Saeed: No one can win elections with this system fairly! If IK wants to win he will have to rig elections next time. This system needs to change, and the beneficiaries of the old system are not willing to change it. You might be able to survive another 3.5 years, you might be able to afford the electricity bills, and have food on the table 3 times a day, why don't we think about the people who can't afford these things?
@Real Truth: for doing progres Nawaz need fund, do Zardari and Nawaz readdy to bring back looted swiss amount and save their 5 to 10 years turm ?
@Hatim so who are you exactly who determines "If WE ALLOW", who are you? Sorry the people voted PMLN in and they must complete their term. Your whims and wishes cant be force on to others.
@Xulfijan There is no electricity, something needs to be BUILD that takes time. IT is not fault of PMLN that no one did any thing for last 16 years.
For heavens sake, let the sanity prevail. We are highly emotional people. The elections are only 3.5 years away. Prepare for it, you will win it IK. Please go back to homes. Please :(
@real truth If we allow them to continue, there will be many more nandipurs, bahawalnagars, veharis, model towns, rana mashoods, over-billings, and gullu butts.
But their promises including bullet trains, Karachi - lahore motorway, end of loadshedding and circular debt are so close to being completed, we should allow them another 3 years.
@Real Truth: You dont get it!! THEY ARE INCAPABLE OF DOING IT...The price of electricity has doubled for us, the commercial user, and still remain erratic since they have come in. Their coal project, is bringing unwanted technology which is expensive and highly polluting. Moreover the terms of credit by the chinese will be passed on to the consumer, yet again, to pay more than Rs 40/ unit. Line losses remain as they were when they took office. so there you have it...5 year is not a holy grail. They should realise the writing on the wall and as democrats as they claim,let the people decide earlier if thats what is required to have the moral authority to run the country
GO NAWAZ GO
No Mid-Term Polls. Govt should ignore the vultures, put 100% focus on energy projects, and try to give relief to the common man. If govt can do that, these vultures will continue to stew in their own juices!!! Elections should be held after completion of current term of 5 years, no ifs and buts!