mujahideen
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2007
- Messages
- 2,407
- Reaction score
- 0
Nawaz, Zardari ask Musharraf to quit
OUR STAFF REPORTER
LAHORE - PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday called on President Pervez Musharraf to step down after his allies conceded defeat in the polls.
Appearing relaxed and joking with reporters while addressing a press conference at his Model Town residence, he said he would work with other opposition parties including the PPP to rid Pakistan of dictatorship forever, adding: Musharraf has said he would quit when people tell him. People have now given their verdict. Nawaz pledged to reappoint several top judges sacked by Musharraf under a state of emergency in November.
Being jubilant on perceptible win despite what he said the worst rigging, Nawaz opened arms to take back PML-Q leaders in party and invited PPP and ANP to adopt one point agenda regarding reinstatement of deposed judges, nullification of November 3 steps and end of army role in politics.
Asked about the formation of government, he said: I had a conversation with Asif Ali Zardari today (Tuesday) and we will be meeting the day after tomorrow (Thursday) in Islamabad. He said he had also asked the leader of Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali to meet him in the capital.
PML-N remained under the siege of police, nazims, government machinery and agencies. It had to pass through the worst kind of pre-poll and post-poll rigging but eventually emerged as victorious with the power of peoples vote, he said and added: All the credit goes to people who continued the struggle against the dictatorship and voted for democratic forces. He said the decision about eligibility of President Musharraf should be taken from the same court that was hearing the case. The PML-N leader said after restoration of the judiciary it would be decided whether Musharrafs re-election as the President was legal or not.
Replying a question, he said that he was never ready to compromise on reinstatement of deposed judges including CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Restoration of Judiciary was on the top of our manifesto and we will honour our manifesto, he clarified.
All illegal and unconstitutional steps by Musharraf on November 3, those have to be rolled back, Sharif said. We will follow democracy, rule of law, supremacy of the Constitution and the independence and restoration of the judiciary. These are our targets, he said. He said, We will support those parties which would support our manifesto and party believes that they would support us. He said that PML-N did not believe in politics of revenge. The thrones of kings of Q were turned down in elections and those, who have been left behind, if want to join their parent party, door are wide opened, he added.
He said the government used all petty tactics to demoralize the party. Our nomination papers were rejected, party leaders and workers were given temptation of money and ministries. Number of them were harassed by hook or crook, but on the long run we succeed in winning the polls, he added.
He said the PML-N invited all democratic forces to join hands with one another to restore the judges.
To a query, he said that all the detained judges and lawyers including Aitzaz Ahsan should be released immediately. He demanded to scrap the PEMPRA ordinance and other curbs put on media. He said the CWC meeting of the party would be held on December 21 (Thursday) in Islamabad to announce next strategy.
Agencies Add: Nawaz Sharif strongly denied that there had been any talks between him and Zardari to nominate Aitzaz Ahsan as the next PM of the country. He said the matter of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan would also be reconsidered. Sharif also said his party would lead a coalition government in Punjab and all parties would be consulted on the matter. Nawaz Sharif said Musharrafs qualification for re-election should be reviewed by reinstated (formerly deposed) judges.
Our Monitoring Desk
PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has asked President Pervez Musharraf to quit office.
Not only we, but the whole nation is reminding Pervez Musharraf to resign. It is clear in the mandate. The decision has come. The PML-Q has lost. Now well take this demand of resignation to the Parliament, and see who will back us in this regard, he told the BBC.
Asif Zardari said, I dont think PML-Q is a party, however, PML-N, ANP, MQM and other political forces will be engaged.
He expressed his intention of having negotiation even with Bugti and Marri tribes whose some enraged people are in hideouts and waging armed fight for provincial autonomy.
He said PPP would join hands with every political party which backed PPPs stance of probe into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto by the UN officials.
Asked whether he would have any contact with President Musharraf in future, Zardari said he would think in this regard only if his party allowed him.
PPP has not yet decided about prime minister candidate, and decision in this connection will be taken later, he added.
To a question about Nawaz Sharifs stance regarding Judiciary and sacked judges, Asif Zardari said the Parliament would be empowered that would settle the issue and its procedure.
Naveed Butt from Islamabad adds: Zardari said that his party wanted the restoration of 1973 Constitution in true letter and spirit, supremacy of the Parliament and a government of national consensus with the support of democratic forces.
The PPPP Co-Chairman said this while talking to the media persons here on Tuesday at Zardari House after chairing Central Executive Committee meeting of the party.
Initially we have three main issues to address; the investigation of Benazir Bhuttos assassination under the auspices of UN Commission, formation of consensus government with the support of allies and to work for provincial autonomy, and the restoration of 1973 Constitution with immediate removal of the PEMRA Ordinance, said Zardari.
He said that the party has not yet finalised the Leader of the House and the decision in this regard would be taken soon. About the questions regarding the restoration of the deposed judges, Zardari didnt answer in a clear manner and said that the decision would be taken by the coming Parliament. He demanded of the government to release the deposed judges and lawyers, including President Supreme Court Bar Association Aitzaz Ahsan immediately.
He said that the people rejected Pakistan Muslim League-Q due to the policies of President Musharraf and PPPP would never negotiate with PML-Q.
He alleged that source of terrorism exists within the government and establishment. We should negotiate with those people who are living in the mountains through the Parliament, he urged. He congratulated the leaderships of PML-N and ANP on their victories and said that he would meet Mian Nawaz Sharif and Asfandyar Wali for the formation of national government.
Zardari said that Pakistan is facing serious crises and the PPPP government would unite Pakistan and strengthen the system. He said that the PPPP wants the supremacy and empowerment of Parliament and all the decisions would be taken through Parliament. He alleged that selective rigging has been conducted and 150 polling agents of PPPP were kidnapped on polling day.
AFP adds: Zardari said his party would try to form a coalition government and ruled out sharing power with the defeated allies of President Pervez Musharraf.
Asked if he would include members of the defeated Pakistan Muslim League-Q, which backed Musharraf in government, he replied: We are not interested in any of those people who are part and parcel of the previous government.
Zardari made no direct reference to two-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, whose party is narrowly behind the PPP, according to unofficial preliminary results from the polls.
The PPP Co-Chairman echoed Nawaz Sharifs call for the release and restoration of top judges sacked and detained by Pakistani authorities after Musharraf declared a state of emergency in November.
Mubashir Hassan from Lahore adds: After emerging as the single largest party in the parliament as a result of February 18 polls, the Pakistan Peoples Party has decided to empower the parliamentary committees to decide vital policy issues of national and international importance.
This was decided in a meeting of partys Central Executive Committee (CEC), which met in Islamabad on Tuesday with Co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari in the chair.
Apart from discussing issues relating to government formation at the centre and in the provinces, the CEC decided to enhance the role of parliamentary committees, also having representation of the opposition parties, to take decisions on important matters including foreign policy issues.
According to sources privy to the meeting, Zardari himself floated the idea of enhancing parliamentary committees role, and put it before the CEC for discussion. There was general consensus over the issue, and the meeting decided to take up the matter before would-be coalition partners of the PPP.
It merits mention here that in a parliamentary system, these committees are supposed to play an important role in decision making, but in Pakistan, they have got the status of a recommendatory body. In western democracies, the advice of such bodies is taken seriously by the governments and implemented in letter and spirit.
The issue of Pakistans support to war on terror was also discussed at length in the meeting. While there was general consensus that the PPP government should continue war on terror, it was, however, decided to bring the current policy under serious review to change the modus operandi of dealing with this issue. The CEC members opined that this matter could also be referred to the future parliamentary committee of foreign affairs for its review and recommendations, which should be binding on the government. The partys CEC would meet again today in the federal capital to ponder over options of government making with other parties.
The Nation
OUR STAFF REPORTER
LAHORE - PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday called on President Pervez Musharraf to step down after his allies conceded defeat in the polls.
Appearing relaxed and joking with reporters while addressing a press conference at his Model Town residence, he said he would work with other opposition parties including the PPP to rid Pakistan of dictatorship forever, adding: Musharraf has said he would quit when people tell him. People have now given their verdict. Nawaz pledged to reappoint several top judges sacked by Musharraf under a state of emergency in November.
Being jubilant on perceptible win despite what he said the worst rigging, Nawaz opened arms to take back PML-Q leaders in party and invited PPP and ANP to adopt one point agenda regarding reinstatement of deposed judges, nullification of November 3 steps and end of army role in politics.
Asked about the formation of government, he said: I had a conversation with Asif Ali Zardari today (Tuesday) and we will be meeting the day after tomorrow (Thursday) in Islamabad. He said he had also asked the leader of Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali to meet him in the capital.
PML-N remained under the siege of police, nazims, government machinery and agencies. It had to pass through the worst kind of pre-poll and post-poll rigging but eventually emerged as victorious with the power of peoples vote, he said and added: All the credit goes to people who continued the struggle against the dictatorship and voted for democratic forces. He said the decision about eligibility of President Musharraf should be taken from the same court that was hearing the case. The PML-N leader said after restoration of the judiciary it would be decided whether Musharrafs re-election as the President was legal or not.
Replying a question, he said that he was never ready to compromise on reinstatement of deposed judges including CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Restoration of Judiciary was on the top of our manifesto and we will honour our manifesto, he clarified.
All illegal and unconstitutional steps by Musharraf on November 3, those have to be rolled back, Sharif said. We will follow democracy, rule of law, supremacy of the Constitution and the independence and restoration of the judiciary. These are our targets, he said. He said, We will support those parties which would support our manifesto and party believes that they would support us. He said that PML-N did not believe in politics of revenge. The thrones of kings of Q were turned down in elections and those, who have been left behind, if want to join their parent party, door are wide opened, he added.
He said the government used all petty tactics to demoralize the party. Our nomination papers were rejected, party leaders and workers were given temptation of money and ministries. Number of them were harassed by hook or crook, but on the long run we succeed in winning the polls, he added.
He said the PML-N invited all democratic forces to join hands with one another to restore the judges.
To a query, he said that all the detained judges and lawyers including Aitzaz Ahsan should be released immediately. He demanded to scrap the PEMPRA ordinance and other curbs put on media. He said the CWC meeting of the party would be held on December 21 (Thursday) in Islamabad to announce next strategy.
Agencies Add: Nawaz Sharif strongly denied that there had been any talks between him and Zardari to nominate Aitzaz Ahsan as the next PM of the country. He said the matter of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan would also be reconsidered. Sharif also said his party would lead a coalition government in Punjab and all parties would be consulted on the matter. Nawaz Sharif said Musharrafs qualification for re-election should be reviewed by reinstated (formerly deposed) judges.
Our Monitoring Desk
PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has asked President Pervez Musharraf to quit office.
Not only we, but the whole nation is reminding Pervez Musharraf to resign. It is clear in the mandate. The decision has come. The PML-Q has lost. Now well take this demand of resignation to the Parliament, and see who will back us in this regard, he told the BBC.
Asif Zardari said, I dont think PML-Q is a party, however, PML-N, ANP, MQM and other political forces will be engaged.
He expressed his intention of having negotiation even with Bugti and Marri tribes whose some enraged people are in hideouts and waging armed fight for provincial autonomy.
He said PPP would join hands with every political party which backed PPPs stance of probe into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto by the UN officials.
Asked whether he would have any contact with President Musharraf in future, Zardari said he would think in this regard only if his party allowed him.
PPP has not yet decided about prime minister candidate, and decision in this connection will be taken later, he added.
To a question about Nawaz Sharifs stance regarding Judiciary and sacked judges, Asif Zardari said the Parliament would be empowered that would settle the issue and its procedure.
Naveed Butt from Islamabad adds: Zardari said that his party wanted the restoration of 1973 Constitution in true letter and spirit, supremacy of the Parliament and a government of national consensus with the support of democratic forces.
The PPPP Co-Chairman said this while talking to the media persons here on Tuesday at Zardari House after chairing Central Executive Committee meeting of the party.
Initially we have three main issues to address; the investigation of Benazir Bhuttos assassination under the auspices of UN Commission, formation of consensus government with the support of allies and to work for provincial autonomy, and the restoration of 1973 Constitution with immediate removal of the PEMRA Ordinance, said Zardari.
He said that the party has not yet finalised the Leader of the House and the decision in this regard would be taken soon. About the questions regarding the restoration of the deposed judges, Zardari didnt answer in a clear manner and said that the decision would be taken by the coming Parliament. He demanded of the government to release the deposed judges and lawyers, including President Supreme Court Bar Association Aitzaz Ahsan immediately.
He said that the people rejected Pakistan Muslim League-Q due to the policies of President Musharraf and PPPP would never negotiate with PML-Q.
He alleged that source of terrorism exists within the government and establishment. We should negotiate with those people who are living in the mountains through the Parliament, he urged. He congratulated the leaderships of PML-N and ANP on their victories and said that he would meet Mian Nawaz Sharif and Asfandyar Wali for the formation of national government.
Zardari said that Pakistan is facing serious crises and the PPPP government would unite Pakistan and strengthen the system. He said that the PPPP wants the supremacy and empowerment of Parliament and all the decisions would be taken through Parliament. He alleged that selective rigging has been conducted and 150 polling agents of PPPP were kidnapped on polling day.
AFP adds: Zardari said his party would try to form a coalition government and ruled out sharing power with the defeated allies of President Pervez Musharraf.
Asked if he would include members of the defeated Pakistan Muslim League-Q, which backed Musharraf in government, he replied: We are not interested in any of those people who are part and parcel of the previous government.
Zardari made no direct reference to two-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, whose party is narrowly behind the PPP, according to unofficial preliminary results from the polls.
The PPP Co-Chairman echoed Nawaz Sharifs call for the release and restoration of top judges sacked and detained by Pakistani authorities after Musharraf declared a state of emergency in November.
Mubashir Hassan from Lahore adds: After emerging as the single largest party in the parliament as a result of February 18 polls, the Pakistan Peoples Party has decided to empower the parliamentary committees to decide vital policy issues of national and international importance.
This was decided in a meeting of partys Central Executive Committee (CEC), which met in Islamabad on Tuesday with Co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari in the chair.
Apart from discussing issues relating to government formation at the centre and in the provinces, the CEC decided to enhance the role of parliamentary committees, also having representation of the opposition parties, to take decisions on important matters including foreign policy issues.
According to sources privy to the meeting, Zardari himself floated the idea of enhancing parliamentary committees role, and put it before the CEC for discussion. There was general consensus over the issue, and the meeting decided to take up the matter before would-be coalition partners of the PPP.
It merits mention here that in a parliamentary system, these committees are supposed to play an important role in decision making, but in Pakistan, they have got the status of a recommendatory body. In western democracies, the advice of such bodies is taken seriously by the governments and implemented in letter and spirit.
The issue of Pakistans support to war on terror was also discussed at length in the meeting. While there was general consensus that the PPP government should continue war on terror, it was, however, decided to bring the current policy under serious review to change the modus operandi of dealing with this issue. The CEC members opined that this matter could also be referred to the future parliamentary committee of foreign affairs for its review and recommendations, which should be binding on the government. The partys CEC would meet again today in the federal capital to ponder over options of government making with other parties.
The Nation
