Says govt should have removed NRO-tainted ministers; wants SC verdict implemented in letter and spirit; no support to cut CJ’s tenure
By Muhammad Anis
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and PML-N Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said the PPP government should have sought resignations from NRO beneficiaries, who are in the government.
“The government should have moved for getting resignations from NRO beneficiaries following the Supreme Court verdict declaring the NRO as unconstitutional,” Nawaz Sharif said while talking to newsmen after chairing a party meeting here at the Punjab House.
Accompanied by Shahbaz Sharif, Raja Zafarul Haque, Ahsan Iqbal and others, Nawaz Sharif said instead of implementing the Supreme Court verdict the government removed the law secretary.
He made it clear to the government that PML-N support to it and the ongoing democratic system should not be misinterpreted. “Our support to democracy does not mean that the corrupt elements are given a free hand and they are forgiven,” he said.
To a question, Sharif said the PML-N would not support any government move aimed at reducing the tenure of the chief justice of Pakistan. “So far the government has not brought any such move before us but if such a move is initiated, we will not support it,” he said.
He maintained that the PML-N would not offer its support to any unconstitutional and illegal measure. About the impression that the PML-N is playing the role of a friendly opposition, Nawaz Sharif said his party never ignored the blunders and mistakes of the government.
He pointed out that the PPP government should have started implementation of the Supreme Court verdict without waiting for the detailed judgment of the apex court against the NRO.
“The government says it is waiting for the detailed judgment of the Supreme Court. What more does the government want as the SC has given a 17-page judgment,” he said.
He emphasised that the SC decision should be fully implemented and there should be no defiance on it. “The government should have asked the beneficiaries of the NRO to resign and get clearance certificates from the Supreme Court for serving on any post,” he said.
Responding to a question, Nawaz Sharif maintained that there would be no question of not supporting the PPP government if it implemented the Charter of Democracy (CoD), abolished the 17th Amendment, established good governance and implemented the Supreme Court verdict against the NRO in letter and spirit. He stressed that government would have to show sincerity in doing away with 17th Amendment. “What a pity that a dictator gets 17th Amendment passed in a few seconds but the democratic forces have not been able to abolish it in two years,” he lamented.
To a query about the new accountability law, Nawaz Sharif said the PML-N believed that government had got an opportunity to get rid of the 17th Amendment through the Parliament but many other issues including the change of name of NWFP, were clubbed with it causing undue delay. “We parted ways with the PPP government with heavy heart only because the government did not meet the deadline for implementation of CoD and abolition of 17th Amendment,” Nawaz said. After parting ways with the PPP government, the PML-N parliamentarians remained occupying treasury benches in the Parliament with a hope to get positive response from the government. “We opted for opposition benches after getting disappointed,” he added.
He said had the government implemented the CoD and fulfilled other promises made with the PML-N leadership, its popularity graph would have elevated and its credibility improved.
About giving any deadline to the government on implementation of the CoD and taking other measures, Nawaz Sharif said no more deadline as it is time for the government to take practical steps.
He also praised the Supreme Court for taking notice of the written-off loans. “Those who got their loans written off are even more rich and they are living in palaces,” he said.
He told a questioner that democracy was not facing any threat from outside forces but said the undemocratic measures could endanger the democratic process. “I do not feel any danger to democracy from third forces rather undemocratic steps can endanger the process,” he observed.
About the new accountability law, he said the PML-N had forwarded its recommendations to the government in this connection saying it would be more effective law if these recommendations were given consideration.
To a question about meeting President Asif Ali Zardari, he said there is no harm in the meeting but it should be productive and result-oriented.
He said the PML-N meeting also constituted a five-member committee headed by Sartaj Aziz to meet leadership of Awami National Party (ANP) on issue of change in the name of NWFP.
The consultative meeting of party’s senior leaders chaired by Nawaz Sharif also nominated party worker Malik Shakil Awan as PML-N candidate for bye-elections from NA-55 Rawalpindi.
“We have nominated a party worker who hails from middle class for National Assembly seat which reflects that PML-N believes in democratic values,” Nawaz Sharif said.
He said party workers from Rawalpindi were also called to the meeting to decide the nomination and Shakil Awan’s name was approved with consensus.
Online adds: Nawaz Sharif said, “We demand four things from the PPP government. First, the government should act on the Charter of Democracy in true means. Second, the government should repeal 17th Amendment. Third, the government should implement the verdicts of the Supreme Court. Fourth, the government must adopt all the rules of good governance and work for betterment of the nation.”
He said all parties must continue consultations on issues faced by the country. No single party can handle these issues alone, he added. He said the challenges faced by the country are very complicated and unity is needed to face them. All parties need to work together for the betterment of the people and for the development of the country, he said.
Nawaz appreciated the role of Shahbaz Sharif and other CMs for playing vital role in announcing the NFC Award.
Replying to another question, Nawaz said he has strong relationship with Saudi Arabia that is why they keep on meeting each other.LINK
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and PML-N Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said the PPP government should have sought resignations from NRO beneficiaries, who are in the government.“The government should have moved for getting resignations from NRO beneficiaries following the Supreme Court verdict declaring the NRO as unconstitutional,” Nawaz Sharif said while talking to newsmen after chairing a party meeting here at the Punjab House.
Accompanied by Shahbaz Sharif, Raja Zafarul Haque, Ahsan Iqbal and others, Nawaz Sharif said instead of implementing the Supreme Court verdict the government removed the law secretary.
He made it clear to the government that PML-N support to it and the ongoing democratic system should not be misinterpreted. “Our support to democracy does not mean that the corrupt elements are given a free hand and they are forgiven,” he said.
To a question, Sharif said the PML-N would not support any government move aimed at reducing the tenure of the chief justice of Pakistan. “So far the government has not brought any such move before us but if such a move is initiated, we will not support it,” he said.
He maintained that the PML-N would not offer its support to any unconstitutional and illegal measure. About the impression that the PML-N is playing the role of a friendly opposition, Nawaz Sharif said his party never ignored the blunders and mistakes of the government.
He pointed out that the PPP government should have started implementation of the Supreme Court verdict without waiting for the detailed judgment of the apex court against the NRO.
“The government says it is waiting for the detailed judgment of the Supreme Court. What more does the government want as the SC has given a 17-page judgment,” he said.
He emphasised that the SC decision should be fully implemented and there should be no defiance on it. “The government should have asked the beneficiaries of the NRO to resign and get clearance certificates from the Supreme Court for serving on any post,” he said.
Responding to a question, Nawaz Sharif maintained that there would be no question of not supporting the PPP government if it implemented the Charter of Democracy (CoD), abolished the 17th Amendment, established good governance and implemented the Supreme Court verdict against the NRO in letter and spirit. He stressed that government would have to show sincerity in doing away with 17th Amendment. “What a pity that a dictator gets 17th Amendment passed in a few seconds but the democratic forces have not been able to abolish it in two years,” he lamented.
To a query about the new accountability law, Nawaz Sharif said the PML-N believed that government had got an opportunity to get rid of the 17th Amendment through the Parliament but many other issues including the change of name of NWFP, were clubbed with it causing undue delay. “We parted ways with the PPP government with heavy heart only because the government did not meet the deadline for implementation of CoD and abolition of 17th Amendment,” Nawaz said. After parting ways with the PPP government, the PML-N parliamentarians remained occupying treasury benches in the Parliament with a hope to get positive response from the government. “We opted for opposition benches after getting disappointed,” he added.
He said had the government implemented the CoD and fulfilled other promises made with the PML-N leadership, its popularity graph would have elevated and its credibility improved.
About giving any deadline to the government on implementation of the CoD and taking other measures, Nawaz Sharif said no more deadline as it is time for the government to take practical steps.
He also praised the Supreme Court for taking notice of the written-off loans. “Those who got their loans written off are even more rich and they are living in palaces,” he said.
He told a questioner that democracy was not facing any threat from outside forces but said the undemocratic measures could endanger the democratic process. “I do not feel any danger to democracy from third forces rather undemocratic steps can endanger the process,” he observed.
About the new accountability law, he said the PML-N had forwarded its recommendations to the government in this connection saying it would be more effective law if these recommendations were given consideration.
To a question about meeting President Asif Ali Zardari, he said there is no harm in the meeting but it should be productive and result-oriented.
He said the PML-N meeting also constituted a five-member committee headed by Sartaj Aziz to meet leadership of Awami National Party (ANP) on issue of change in the name of NWFP.
The consultative meeting of party’s senior leaders chaired by Nawaz Sharif also nominated party worker Malik Shakil Awan as PML-N candidate for bye-elections from NA-55 Rawalpindi.
“We have nominated a party worker who hails from middle class for National Assembly seat which reflects that PML-N believes in democratic values,” Nawaz Sharif said.
He said party workers from Rawalpindi were also called to the meeting to decide the nomination and Shakil Awan’s name was approved with consensus.
Online adds: Nawaz Sharif said, “We demand four things from the PPP government. First, the government should act on the Charter of Democracy in true means. Second, the government should repeal 17th Amendment. Third, the government should implement the verdicts of the Supreme Court. Fourth, the government must adopt all the rules of good governance and work for betterment of the nation.”
He said all parties must continue consultations on issues faced by the country. No single party can handle these issues alone, he added. He said the challenges faced by the country are very complicated and unity is needed to face them. All parties need to work together for the betterment of the people and for the development of the country, he said.
Nawaz appreciated the role of Shahbaz Sharif and other CMs for playing vital role in announcing the NFC Award.
Replying to another question, Nawaz said he has strong relationship with Saudi Arabia that is why they keep on meeting each other.LINK
No comments:
Post a Comment