ISLAMABAD:
As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf prepares for what it calls ‘decisive rally’ in the federal capital on November 30, the government decided on Tuesday to hold negotiations with the PTI only on the terms of reference (ToR) of a judicial commission the prime minister has requested the Supreme Court to form to probe into alleged rigging in the May 2013 polls.
While conferring with his top aides at the Prime Minister House, Nawaz Sharif mandated Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to approach the PTI and find out if the party was interested in discussing the ToR or not, sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune.
The premier is said to have told Dar that the government would resume talks if the PTI desired to discuss the ToR. He, however, made it clear that Imran Khan’s demand for inclusion of officials from the Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence in the proposed commission was not acceptable.
According to sources, the participants of the meeting – including federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Pervaiz Rashid and Ahsan Iqbal – believed that all political parties represented in parliament concurred that only the ToR should be discussed with the PTI.
The huddle expressed satisfaction at the government strategy to deal with the sit-in in Islamabad and modus operandi of talks with the PTI. Sources said the government and political parties were interested to see PTI’s show of power on November 30.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Federal Minister for Planning and Reform Ahsan Iqbal confirmed that negotiations with the PTI would be only on the ToR for the commission. “Even the government cannot direct the chief justice of the Supreme Court to include someone in the commission,” he said, adding that Imran’s demand for the inclusion of ISI and MI officials in the commission was extra-constitutional.
According to sources, the meeting also discussed issue of the appointment of a new chief election commissioner (CEC). Dar apprised the participants that Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah, who is in the United Kingdom these days, will return to Pakistan on November 24. According to sources, the prime minister asked Dar and Pervaiz Rashid to restart consultation with Shah for a suitable person.
The meeting also decided to expand the federal and Punjab cabinets after PTI’s November 30 rally, sources said. The prime minister is scheduled to travel to Nepal to attend the SAARC summit on November 26-27. Interior Minister Chuadhry Nisar briefed the prime minister on the appointment at National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) head and his efforts for developing a consensus among all stakeholders in this regard. He also requested the premier for more funds to offer lucrative package to officers and experts at Nacta.
Countering PTI rally legally
In order to give a legal cover to its security measures ahead of PTI’s November 30 rally, the Islamabad administration has decided to issue an ordinance. Sources told Daily Express that the draft of such an ordinance has been sent to the ministries of defence and law – and after their assent the chief commissioner will formally issue a notification.
The ordinance, according to sources, would declare the Red Zone a high security area where more than four people would not be allowed to gather.
After promulgation of the ordinance, only security forces personnel deployed there would be able to enter the Red Zone while the approval for the entry of any person, apart from government officials whose offices are located there, could only be given by a Grade 17 official.
All irrelevant people entering the Red Zone could face six-month jail term and Rs10,000 fine. No weapon-wielding individual would be allowed to stage a protest or enter the Red Zone, and violators would face three-year jail term and Rs50,000 fine.
No party or individual, other than law enforcers, would be allowed to establish checkpoints in the area. This ordinance will apply to Islamabad Capital Territory and the steps taken by the federal government and law enforcement agencies to implement it could not be challenged in any court of law.
However, Federal Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid rejected the possibility of any such move. “The government is not issuing any ordinance to deal with the PTI rally,” he said, adding that the government would take a decision when the rally would draw closer.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2014.
COMMENTS (17)
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According to sources, the participants of the meeting – including federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Pervaiz Rashid and Ahsan Iqbal – believed that all political parties represented in parliament concurred that only the ToR should be discussed with the PTI” How can you expect a justice if the appointee himself is being accused of poll-rigging. No matter what, Nawaz Sharif and his cronies cannot be trusted because they are part of the same elite who have been plundering the wealth of my beloved country from ages !!!! I sincerely hope Sir. Imran Khan will never strike a deal with these vultures !!!!
After Imran shown flexibility on PM resignations, they dont have any argument left but to accept the agreed 5 demands. So they now started beating around the bush.
Once again the mega intellectuals of PMLN must have come up with grand strategy to get Containers and block the roads! why hindering free movement of people and right to protest? why even worry about Imran Khan and PTI :)
@Bakir Shah: A comment of this nature can only be expected by illiterate minds supportive of PML-N; an eye opener for all as how the supporters of PML-N think; sense of deprivation and inferiority complex can make these people so volatile! we as intellects need to prepared for all mischievous acts and damage that such small minds can cause! be safe PTI supporters.
What is the point of a investigation if its not trusted by a warring party? Its as good as having no investigation at all because we know the conclusion of this Nawaz Sharif's commission of investigation. IK should not budge and be firm.
@bakir shah: @salman: @Ch. Allah Daad: @Blithe: LETS TRY TO THINK ON DIFFERENT PLANES AND AVOID PREJUDGEMENTS. When a government issues ordinances at will to suppress the peoples movements and the right to demonstrate especially when historically PMLN rampaged through the Supreme Court circa 1997 ,(PM N Sharif Contempt of Court, again rushed through an ordinance for a right to appeal).
Amazing level of incompetence from govt and institution, its been almost 2 years and the investigation isn't completed till now. Leave aside Imran, who is responsible for fake ink purchase, why no one is arrested yet? Injustice promotes vandalism and even can lead to terrorism. Higher courts giving stay orders against verification of votes is simply injustice. Even Afghanistan Election Commission and courts are better, they did complete audit within 3 months !
You fool me once, shame on you. You fool me twice, shame on me.
@bakir shah: He's already resigned.
The million dollar question...Should IK trust Supreme court keeping in view its love with present government?
All those who want this corrupt system to stay intact are doing no favour to Pakistan. They by default are a party to corrupt practices practised by those running the affairs of this unfortunate country
This ordinance will apply to Islamabad Capital Territory and the steps taken by the federal government and law enforcement agencies to implement it could not be challenged in any court of law. So much for the law. Bakir shah should be fired on first.
Adopt simple strategy. Let them have a peaceful rally. If they try to damage property and attack security forces, use full force and teach them a historical lesson. Enough is enough.
All peoples of the nation must not be denied access to the nation's metropolis of democracy, and are termed irrelevant by law.
We are therefore not equal in Allah's creation nor in the laws of the land, it seems that the almighty favoured the heavy handed and not the meek.
All peoples of the nation must not be denied access to the nation's metropolis of democracy.
We are therefore not equal in Allah's creation nor in the laws of the land, it seems that the almighty favoured the heavy handed and not the meek.
"According to sources, the participants of the meeting – including federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Pervaiz Rashid and Ahsan Iqbal – believed that all political parties represented in parliament concurred that only the ToR should be discussed with the PTI"
How can you expect a justice if the appointee himself is being accused of poll-rigging. No matter what, Nawaz Sharif and his cronies cannot be trusted because they are part of the same elite who have been plundering the wealth of my beloved country from ages !!!!
I sincerely hope Sir. Imran Khan will never strike a deal with these vultures !!!!
GO NAWAZ GO !!!!!
Too lenieng an approach against these miscreants , who are working against the state of Pakistan