Pakistan Views

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Friday failed to narrow down the differences between the two major coalition partners on the modalities to restore the deposed judges Musharraf fired last year by imposing emergency rule, and to impeach the embattled President.

However, PML-N announced that it would fully support the government to get the budget for the 2008-09 passed from the National Assembly, that also propose enhancement of Supreme Court strength from existing 17 to 29 judges. On Friday, the 2nd round of talks between the two leaders was held at Nawaz Sharif’s Raiwind residence but that also ended without any breakthrough with a resolve to hold another round of talks in the first week of July to sort out differences.

There were two sessions of the talks. In the first round, Asif Zardari was assisted by Jehangir Badar, Raja Riaz, Rukhsana Bangash, and Fauzia Wahab while Nawaz Sharif was accompanied by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Khawaja Mohammad Asif, Ishaq Dar and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. In the 2nd round, both Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari held one-on-one meeting but failed to solve the differences on the two issues.

According to sources, both reached on an understanding to remove Pervez Musharraf but there were differences as who would be the new president. The PPP wanted its man to be next President but the PML-N has also shown its inclination for the slot, the sources claimed.

They said that some PPP leaders are working to clear the way for Asif Ali Zardari to take over the prestigious slot while the PML-N has not so far shown any positive signal in this regard.

The sources further said that during one-on-one meeting Zardari tried to convince Nawaz Sharif for rejoining the cabinet by his party’s ministers, but he (Sharif) made it clear to Zardari that PML-N ministers had quit the cabinet for the cause of judges’ reinstatement and as soon as the judges are reinstated in accordance with Murree Declaration, the PML-N would immediately re-join the cabinet.

The sources further said that Nawaz opposed giving safe passage to Pervez Musharraf and insisted that people of Pakistan wanted him to be accounted for his wrongdoing. After the meeting, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif told reporters that during the meeting efforts were made to bridge the existing differences between the PPP and the PML-N on the mode of judges’ reinstatement and impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf.

He said both the parties wanted to get rid of Pervez Musharraf and also restore the judges, hence, sincere efforts are being made to achieve the objectives. Asif further said that consultations between the PPP and the PML-N are underway to sort out differences and another round of talks will be held in the first week of July on return of Asif Ali Zardari, who is proceeding abroad.

To a question, he said there are no differences between the two coalition partners on sending Musharraf back home, but both have differences on modalities of removing him. Besides, consultation with other coalition partners ie JUI and ANP on this issue is also needed.

Answering another question, Asif said the process to pass the budget has started and hopefully the budget will be passed by the National Assembly by June 26. “The PML-N would fully support the passage of Federal Budget as well as Finance Bill through which strength of apex court judges has been proposed to be enhanced’, he said.

When asked who would be the coalition partners’ candidate for the slot of President of Pakistan after Pervez Musharraf’s quittal, he said decision in this regard would be taken after the office is vacated.

When asked whether there is any possibility of rejoining the federal Cabinet by the PML-N Ministers, he said we had left the ministries on the basis of a principle and there is no possibility of rejoining the same without judges’ reinstatement.

Asif Zardari arrived Raiwind residence of Nawaz Sharif at about 1.00 pm and left the venue at 5.00 pm to take a plane for Karachi. The journalists of different TV channels and newspapers have to face difficulties due to rude attitude of security officials deployed there. The journalists, who reached the venue at about 12 noon had to wait for the briefing for about five hours while sitting on the main road. Some police officials also misbehaved with senior journalists.

Negotiations between the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on the issues of judges and a motion to impeach President Pervez Musharraf have stalled though both parties have signalled to keep the alliance between the two intact.

A meeting between PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif took place on Wednesday in the latter’s Raiwind farm house where both agreed that it would be dangerous if both parties broke up their alliance. They agreed that the dialogue should continue and again meet on June 20 after they consult with their respective party ranks, sources claimed.

On Wednesday’s meeting discussed the restoration of deposed judges and the impeachment through a constitutional amendment package, the upcoming by-elections, expansion of the Punjab Cabinet and some other matters. Shahbaz Sharif, Raja Zafar ul Haq, Khawaja Asif, Sardar Zulifqar Ali Khosa, Javed Hashmi, Ahsan Iqbal, Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasir and Khawaja Saad Rafique helped Sharif.

PPP leaders Rehman Malik, Raja Riaz, Jehangir Badr, Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas, Fouzia Wahab, Azizur Rehman Channa and Rukhsana Bangash did with Zardari. Sources claimed both were firm in restoring the deposed judges in accordance with the Murree Declaration and the swift impeachment. Zardari told Nawaz to join the federal cabinet so that performance of different ministries could be further improved for the benefit of the public at large.

Zardari tried to convince his coalition partners that the they should avoid tabling an impeachment motion against Musharraf without securing a two-thirds majority in the Senate and the National Assembly. Asif also agreed that the judges’ reinstatement be linked with the constitutional amendment package. It was also proposed to form a joint committee to settle the impeachment issue with both also making five-seat adjustments in the upcoming by-polls.

After the meeting, PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal told reporters that both wanted the judges reinstated, Musharraf impeached and their alliance cemented but they had differences on modalities to achieve these objectives. Ahsan said both considered Musharraf as an unconstitutional president and claimed that the presidency was still conspiring but the coalition partners would foil them. He also said that Musharraf was trying to protect his rule.

An important meeting between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is being held at the former’s residence here on Wednesday.

Sources in the PML-N told that during the meeting matters concerning constitutional amendment package, expansion in the Punjab Cabinet, rejoining of federal cabinet by the PML-N ministers, impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf and affairs of the coalition governments would be discussed.

Matter pertaining to restoration of deposed judges would also be discussed, the sources added.

Analysts say Shahbaz Sharif after becoming Punjab chief minister, relations between the PPP and PML-N have further strengthened and the alliance between the PPP and PML-N would continue.

President Pervez Musharraf is on his way out and will not be given any safe passage at any cost, former premier Nawaz Sharif said here on Saturday. Addressing a gathering of lawyers’ long march Nawaz Sharif said that safe passage could not be given to Pervez Musharraf and He (Pervez Musharraf) should now think what he had done with the innocent students of Jamia Hafsa when they asked for safe passage, innocent students were bombed and were burnt alive, Sharif said adding Musharraf will be impeached while people should now focus on the movement to reinstate the judges deposed during last year’s emergency.

Sharif also blamed Musharraf’s policies to tackle terrorism for recent attack on Pakistani forces in the Mohmand tribal area by US-led forces in Afghanistan . The strike, which left 11 Pakistani security personnel dead, was an “attack on Pakistan ’s sovereignty”, he said.

Later President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Chaudary Aitazaz Ahsen addressed the gathering and said that long march has created a history and thanked for all the people who participated in the long march.

He also advised young lawyers and activist to understand that why sit-in has been cancelled, he said that owing to limited resources Long March management postponed the sit-in protest but same time he said if any one wanted to sit and protest he is allowed to do so and no one will stop him in doing that.

While certain section of participants chanted slogans against the decision of postponement of sit-in and according to details activists of one of the political party clashed with the security officials present at the scene, in breaching security barriers.

Protesters after postponement decision cordon off the stage and forced Aitazaz Ahsen to take back the decision of deferment of sit-in, while security officials provided him security shield and took him towards his car.

Leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N Mian Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Imran Khan rejected the constitutional package and demanded reinstatement of the deposed judges through a parliamentary resolution.Addressing a joint press conference in London on Monday Nawaz said when no legal justification was given to make the judges non-functional then why legal reasons being sought for their restoration.He said lack of justice and unemployment are major problems of the country. The people had cast votes on February 18 for change and now it is required that the judges be restored through a resolution. Imran in his remarks said it is being pretended that the judges will be restored through the constitutional package, but they will not be reinstated.
He said the people had voted for change on February 18. They wanted to get rid of Musharraf and restore Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, but now a conspiracy being hatched to change the people’s verdict.

PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif says President Pervez Musharraf should be tried in treason cases for his November 3 action, Kargil issue and jamia Hafsa carnage.
Talking to media at Lahore Airport before leaving for London, Sharif said interview of Lt Gen Gulzar Kiani aired on Geo News yesterday supported his stand that he was not informed about Kargil Operation.
He says Musharraf made false accusations against him in his book. The PML-N chief says time has proved that Kargil was a misadventure but he left no stone unturned to protect national prestige.
He says he has already demanded constitution of a commission to probe into the issue.
About Constitutional package, he responded he has received the package and his party would review it in a meeting, started today in Islamabad. He said the party’s opinion about the package would be communicated to Asif Zardari. He dispelled the impression that the PML-N and MQM are in contact.

PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has said the entire nation wants to remove Pervez Musharraf which can not be implemented without mutual cooperation between People’s Party and Muslim League-N. Talking to newsmen at his Model Town residence after the PML-N Parliamentary Board meeting, he said conspiracies were being hatched against him and Shahbaz Sharif to keep them away from parliament.He said he would continue struggle till restoration of judges. The nation, he said, was watching the judges who had to decide whether they could contest the elections or not. Nawaz said there was no constitutional reason for the application against their candidature after the approval of their nomination papers. Nawaz said he would decide his future plans after the verdict of the Election Tribunal on Saturday (today).

Ruling coalition has agreed to expel Pervez Musharraf from power, Nawaz said on Wednesday.Nawaz said Zardari, had agreed in talks on Tuesday to oust Musharraf.”I have spoken with Zardari that we should throw him out to respect the mandate of the people of Pakistan, and he agreed yesterday to do so,” Nawaz told a meeting marking the tenth anniversary of Pakistan’s first nuclear tests.”Musharraf did not fulfil his promise to quit the presidency if people did not vote for his party,” he told the charged crowd in Lahore.Nawaz comments come amid divisions in the coalition over how to deal with Musharraf and over the restoration of top judges deposed by the president.Zardari and Nawaz met in Islamabad on Tuesday to discuss a package of constitutional amendments to clip Musharraf’s wings, but both sides are still finalising details.”It is absolute nonsense, there is no such thing, there is no thing like this under any sort of consideration,” spokesman Rashid Qureshi told media.

Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif has claimed that a conspiracy aimed at rejecting his nomination papers has failed and now there is no hurdle for him to contest the by-election for national assembly seat.The party chief accompanied by Shahbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar and Ahsan Iqbal told reporters at his Model Town home that he would contest the by-election from NA-123 Lahore to represent the Pakistani nation. He said, he would withdraw his nomination papers from NA-52 Rawalpindi.He said his nomination papers for NA-123 Lahore had already been accepted by the Returning Officer and the PML-Q candidate had withdrawn his papers in his favour. Sharif said that Pakistani nation wants to see him within Parliament and keep Pervez Musharraf away from the Parliament.He said the nation had made impeachment of Pervez Musharraf on February 18 and now formal action is to be taken for his impeachment for which he will negotiate with Asif Zardari.He further said that Pervez Musharraf is making present judiciary a part of conspiracy by using it for his designs. He then claimed that Pervez Musharraf and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi were involved in the conspiracy aimed at rejecting his and his brother’s nomination papers. He said people of Pakistan had given mandate on February 18 for a change and now time has come to put an end to the negative politics.He said his party had not so far received draft of the constitutional amendment package. He said, we would boldly face all the conspiracies and foil them with public support. He said we want restoration of judges in accordance with Murree Declaration. “The PML-N is waging a just struggle aimed at securing the future of coming generations by ensuring rule of law, supremacy of parliament and prosperity and well being of the people of the country,” he added.Shahbaz Sharif said he had met the PML-Q candidate for NA-123 and he announced unconditional support of Mian Nawaz Sharif. He said they did not accept PCO judges because we consider that in the government where there is no justice it cannot last.
Ishaq Dar said the PML-N ministers had submitted a resignation for judges restoration in accordance with Murree Declaration. If the judges are restored, then we can think about rejoining the Cabinet.

PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that reconciliation among all political forces is a must to overcome the challenges confronting the country. But this reconciliation should be among the forces that have straggled and made sacrifices for the cause of democracy in the past eight years and not with those responsible for the current crisis, Nawaz said in an address at a reception in honour of party workers who accompanied him during the election campaign to provide security.A report on his address was released by the PML-N central secretariat in Islamabad.Nawaz said that people on February 18 voted for a change in the country and they aspire to see this transition in the system at every cost. “When the people do not see this change taking place they become angry,” the PML-N Quaid said, adding that politics must be based on principles for which every sacrifice can be made. He said the real threat to Pakistan is from Musharraf and his undemocratic policies, which continue to “undermine the will of the Pakistani nation.” Nawaz said the democratic forces will be victorious against “conspiracy hatched by Musharraf” if they remain united.”Musharraf wants to divide democratic forces in order to remain in power, but I am confident his desire will not be fulfilled,” Nawaz said.He said the party had withdrawn from the federal cabinet to uphold principles in politics. “We are pained that we had to take such a decision, but we were left with no other option.”Nawaz emphasized that nations progress when they adhere to principles. “We are in coalition for strengthening the democratic process and shall not let any one de-stabilize the democratic system,” he said. He said any compromise on the restoration of the judges will be disastrous for the country.
“If the judges who were removed unconstitutionally by Musharraf are not restored then freedom of judiciary will be lost forever and no judge will stand up for upholding the cause of rule of law and justice,” he said. The PML-N Quaid said all actions of Musharraf and his office are extra-constitutional.”Musharraf is standing as a barrier between people of Pakistan and independence of judiciary. That is the reason why the country is slipping into a political crisis within two months of the general elections. All this is also having negative impact on our economy,” he said. He said the nation had been pushed into multiple problems during the past eight years and institutions were weakened. The PML-N leader paid tributes to the party workers for their tireless efforts for the restoration of independent judiciary and supremacy of the constitution. Party president Shahbaz Sharif, MNA Khawja Asif, PML-N secretary information Ahsan Iqbal and media adviser of the party Perviaz Rashid were present at the Raiwind gathering.