President tepid to politics of letters

Zardari’s reply to Nawaz Sharif’s letter is nothing more than a receipt of ‘acknowledgement’, according to PML-N.

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari’s reply to Nawaz Sharif’s letter is nothing more than a receipt of ‘acknowledgement’, according to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) which is becoming growingly critical against the Pakistan Peoples Party-led federal government.

“It was just an acknowledgement that he (Zardari) received our letter. There is nothing more than that in Zardari’s reply,” PML-N central leaders told The Express Tribune.

The PML-N chief had written a letter to Zardari highlighting what he saw as grey areas in the governance, while warning the government to mend it ways.

Nawaz had highlighted issues such as political and economic reforms, implementation of Supreme Court orders, privatisation of public sector organisations running in losses, the replacement of NAB with an independent accountability commission and reduction of the cabinet, as major areas where the government should focus upon immediately.

Zardari in response wrote, “Thank you for your letter dated November 10, 2010 regarding issues the nation is facing today. Your letter contained some valuable proposals. With regard to your concerns over certain issues, we are considering them with an open mind. I appreciate your point of view but would only be able to respond to these (proposals) after due deliberations within shortest possible time.”

Zardari’s letter, available with The Express Tribune, shows that the government has not written anything substantial in the reply.

The president and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had made separate calls to Nawaz Sharif recently to exchange Eid greetings and to condole the demise of his uncle.

PML-N had joined the coalition government in the centre with PPP soon after the 2008 general elections but within months parted ways. However the two parties are still dragging an uneasy coalition in Punjab province.

PML-N was dubbed “friendly” opposition since it quit the federal government till very recently. However, for the last few months it seems to have changed its mind and has started giving a tough time to the government inside and outside the parliament.

Though it has alluded to launch a mass movement against the government the threat has always been benign as no serious move has ever been made in this regard.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2010.