Pakistan Views

The Co-Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party, Asif Ali Zardari, on Monday announced at a press conference at Bilawal House that Qaim Ali Shah will be the chief minister of Sindh and Nisar Khuhro will be the Speaker of Sindh Assembly.
The Sindh parliamentary party, which met here under the chairmanship of Zardari took a number of other decisions such as negotiations with MQM, NAP and JUI in connection with the formation of government in Sindh so that the people of Sindh are served in the best of their interests. Zardari said that Mazharul Huq would act as parliamentary leader in Sindh Assembly. He said that Qaim and Nisar had been instructed to follow the policy of reconciliation and accommodation. He said that the two seasoned leaders would talk to their colleagues, both in the government and the opposition, on issues of conflicting nature and reach agreements so that the people of Sindh were served better.
He said, “To reach consensus on the nominations of the leader of the house and the speaker was easy in Sindh as PPP has simple majority, whereas any decision regarding prime minister would take time. “We do not have simple majority that is needed to form the government. We will have to reach consensus after consultations with other parties willing to support us at the center. The name of the consensus candidate will be announced at the appropriate time.”
He quoted the following from the book of Benazir Bhutto: “My death will be catalyst for democracy in Pakistan,” and said that it was his guiding principle in all decisions making process. He said he would work for strengthening of democracy, and all those political parties that believe in it would be with him. He said that parliament would be supreme and all major issues would be discussed on the floor of the house.
In reply to a question he said that PPP would table a resolution in parliament regarding investigation into the assassination of Benazir by a team from the United Nations. “The investigation we would like to be conducted in accordance with the contents of the resolution.” He said that parliament being supreme, it would be respected in all matters of national importance. “May it be judges’ case, lawyers’ issues, fictitious FIRs. All matters would be brought under discussion in parliament. The members will decide what should be done, and in what manner.” He said that he did not believe in ignoring any political party, which carried electorate’s mandate and would support them in matters of participation in the new political process obtaining in Pakistan. He said he knew Pakistan was passing through a critical phase. “Teams of experts would examine poverty, unemployment, haris’ issues, and cases of social injustice and solution would be found out.”
He asked that media could criticise the government when it deviated from the right path, and support it when it worked for the wellbeing of the people. He said, “Put pressure on us and we will hold him (Shaukat Aziz) accountable for economic crisis in Pakistan.”
He said that it was time to think in terms of Pakistan. “We have to save it from internal and external threats.” Qaim Ali Shah and Nisar Khuhro sat on his left and right side respectively. Sherry Rehman conducted the press conference.