Sharifs reject offer to join coalition

By Asad Qureshi
Friday, 17 Apr, 2009
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ISLAMABAD, April 16: The Pakistan Muslim League-N has turned down the prime minister’s offer to rejoin the federal cabinet, but

held out an assurance that it will not create problems for the PPP-led government.

Former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif told a press conference on Thursday his party wanted to see the government complete its

tenure. He said the PML-N would extend ‘unconditional support’ to the government without seeking any favour in return.

However, he called for implementing the Charter of Democracy (CoD) and repealing the 17th Amendment.

The PML-N chief chaired a meeting of his party’s central working committee and parliamentary party earlier in the day.

Asked if the PML-N would join the government after implementation of the charter, he said: “We will see when the CoD is

implemented.”

In reply to a question, Mr Sharif said it was for the Pakistan People’s Party to decide if it wanted to join the Punjab cabinet or

not. “Whatever the PPP decides, we will respect it.”

He said a national conference should be convened on the situation in Swat, Balochistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

Mr Sharif said the PML-N meeting had expressed concern over the situation in Balochistan, especially the recent killing of three

Baloch nationalist leaders, and demanded the formation of a high-powered judicial inquiry commission.

He also suggested formation of a commission to prepare a strategy to address the deprivations of the people of Balochistan.

He held former president Pervez Musharraf responsible for the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan and Fata and the

killing of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti in a military operation.

The PML-N chief said Gen (retd) Musharraf must be tried for violating the Constitution, curbing independence of the judiciary and

supremacy of parliament and compromising the country’s sovereignty and solidarity.

Mr Sharif parried a question about his party’s stance on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

In reply to a question, he said it was for President Asif Ali Zardari, his associates and the judiciary to review the issue of PCO

judges.

He said the PML-N was ready to work with the government to put the country back on the democratic track by repealing the 17th

Amendment and implementing the CoD.

He said judges of the superior judiciary should be appointed by a commission through public hearing, without the influence of the

government, and notification of their appointment should be issued after approval by parliament.

Mr Sharif said rule of law and adherence to the Constitution was the only way to save the country from turmoil.

The PML-N leader said both short- and long-term strategies were required to curb terrorism.

He said Pakistan was capable of meeting challenges and external powers should let it resolve problems faced by it.

He said his decision to go to the US embassy to meet special envoy Richard Holbrooke did not mean a U-turn in his party’s policy.

“Our position on drone attacks remains unchanged.”

Nawaz Sharif called upon the Chaudhry brothers of the PML-Q to apologise to the nation for supporting a military dictator.

Prime Minister Gilani had invited the PML-N to rejoin the federal cabinet during a recent meeting with Punjab Chief Minister

Shahbaz Sharif, saying that a key demand of the party had been met after reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and the

government was sincere in implementing the CoD.

Observers believe that the PML-N’s decision not to become a part of the federal government gives a message to the PPP to sit in the

opposition in the Punjab Assembly. President Zardari had said PPP’s decision about joining the Punjab government depended on

PML-N’s attitude.

Shahbaz Sharif called on Prime Minister Gilani in the afternoon to apprise him of the PML-N’s decision.

Both leaders said their parties would continue to work together for smooth functioning of the parliamentary process and

strengthening democratic institutions.

The chief minister reaffirmed PML-N’s unequivocal support to the PPP government in the center to steer the country out of crisis.

He said any move for mid-term elections would be resisted jointly because the country could not afford any adventurism.

Prime Minister Gilani said repealing clauses of the 17th Amendment contrary to the democratic spirit of the 1973 Constitution,

empowering the people and promoting reconciliation were some of the immediate targets of his government.

He said both parties would cooperate in tackling poverty, establishing the rule of law and ensuring equitable economic

opportunities.

The prime minister said PPP’s decision about joining the Punjab cabinet would be communicated to the PML-N after President

Zardari’s return to the country.