Pakistan's new balance of power

[mujahideen]

Bid to sabotage mandate has failed: Nawaz

OUR STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE - PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif has rejected any standoff in the negotiations concerning formation of the coalition government, saying that all the coalition partners have put their heads together to lay down viable modalities for forming the government with consensus.
He expressed great concern over the ailment of atomic scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and Balochistan’s former chief minister Akhtar Mengal. He also demanded of the government to provide both of them best medial facilities. He also demanded for their immediate release. He said that era of state violence should be ended after the victory of democratic forces in February 18 polls.
He said that efforts to set up coalition government had geared up and hoped that all the stages to form the government would be completed in a befitting manner. He said this while addressing the policy making meeting of the party held at Model Town here on Thursday.
He said that the satanic schemes to sabotage the mandate of people had licked the dust, so it would be better for President Musharraf to bow his head before the verdict of people of Pakistan, leaving the path of stubbornness. He said that verdict of public was open and unambiguous and nobody could stop the restoration of the judiciary, democracy and constitution. He said people had proved that they were awakened and they would not let the gun rule but the vote. He said that now there would be government of elected representative of the people instead of one man.
He said that the nation had rejected Musharraf’s political allies, and all the efforts to rejuvenate them had failed. He said that coalition government of PML-N, PPP, and ANP would close the chapter of dictatorship with the constitutional reforms. He said that all the coalition partners were united with respect to effecting reforms in sectors like health, agriculture, education, economy, science and technology.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

Musharraf vows to fully support new govt

JACOBABAD: Expressing pleasure over the victory of moderate elements and defeat of extremists, President General Musharraf vowed Friday to fully support the new government. Addressing an inaugural ceremony of the project of potable water supply to Jacobabad city here, president Musharraf said the victory of moderate elements in 18 February 2008 election will help eliminating extremism. The entire world has hailed Pakistan for successfully holding free, fair and transparent elections, Musharraf observed. The problem of acute shortage of potable water in Jacobabad city has been solved with the inauguration of said project, which was completed at the cost of Rs 1.2 billion.

Courtesy Geo

 

[mujahideen]

Three major parties short of two-thirds majority

By Iftikhar A. Khan

ISLAMABAD, March 6: The combined strength of PPP, PML-N and ANP in the newly-elected National Assembly is slightly short of the two-thirds majority. However, they may cross the two-thirds mark if they win the remaining 10 seats (whose results have not been announced because of litigation, polling termination and polling suspension) or secure the support of the JUI-F which has six seats.

The number position became a little clear after the Election Commission announced at a press conference on Thursday details of the reserved seats for women and minorities allocated to different winning parties on a proportional basis.

The three parties needed 228 seats in the house of 342 for a two-thirds majority.

But, they have at present 225 seats — three short of the magic figure — to take some major steps like impeaching the president and revoking the Article 58-2b to deprive the president of powers to dissolve the National Assembly. The seats have been allocated on the basis of the seats won by the parties in the Feb 18 elections and the independent lawmakers joining them.

The PPP got 27 of the 60 reserved seats for women and four of the 10 reserved for minorities. The Pakistan Muslim League-N got 17 and 3 seats reserved for women and minorities, respectively. The Awami National Party (ANP), which won 10 seats in the National Assembly, has clinched three seats reserved for women. The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal which bagged five seats in the general elections has got one of the seats reserved for women.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Q got nine seats for women and two for minorities. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MMA) got five seats for women and one seat for minorities. Prominent among those who clinched the reserved seats for women include Memoona Hashmi, Begum Ishrat Ashraf, Khushbakht Shujaat, Fiza Junejo, Begum Tahmina Daultana, Rukhsana Bangash, Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Farzana Raja, Justice Fakharunnisa Khokhar, Sumaira Malik, Kashmala Tariq, Shahnaz Sheikh, Attiya Inayatullah, Bushra Rehman, Marvi Memon, Sherry Rehman, Fauzia Wahab and Zubeida Jalal. Shahbaz Bhatti, Ramesh Lal and Kishan Chand Parwani are prominent among those elected on reserved seats for minorities.

“The Election Commission has successfully completed the election process and today’s segment was the last one,” Commission’s secretary Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad said.

“By now the Commission has announced the results for 331 seats with seven in litigation, two terminated, one postponed and result on one seat reserved for women was a tie,” he added.

Three major parties short of two-thirds majority -DAWN - Top Stories; March 07, 2008

 

[mujahideen]

PML-Q to be reorganised, says Elahi

Staff Report

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said that the party would be reorganised at its grassroots and those who helped the party in elections would be rewarded.

Addressing party office-bearers from various districts on Friday at his residence, he said all party workers should work with the same zeal they had worked during these five years.

He asked the officer-bears to keep close contact with people and help them solve their problems. He said the weaknesses that caused the party to lose the elections would be redressed.

Consultation meetings would be held and efforts would be made to increase the membership of the party, he added.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

Musharraf tells next Pakistan govt 'focus on basics'

By Augustine Anthony

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday advised an incoming coalition government, that may seek his resignation, to focus on fighting terrorism and sustaining economic growth rather than politics.

The parties that defeated a pro-Musharraf alliance in an election last month have still to agree how to make up the new ruling coalition, and there is speculation they will try to drive out Musharraf, who came to power in a 1999 military coup.

The caretaker government will forward the official election results to Musharraf early next week to pave the way for him to convene the new assembly, Law Minister Syed Afzaal Haider, told state-run Pakistan Television on Saturday.

U.S. ally Musharraf said political peace was essential to keep the fight against terrorism on track and maintain growth in an economy pressured by rising crude oil and cooking oil prices.

"These are very serious challenges," Musharraf said at the launch of a new television station in the city of Multan in the Punjab province.

"As soon as the governments are formed in the centre and in provinces, this is the cut off when there should be less politics and governance starts," he said.

"Put politics on a back-burner."

Musharraf has said he will back the incoming government so long as it chooses political peace, but there is considerable expectation that Pakistan will face more political upheavals if its new leaders seek confrontation with the president.

The military issued a statement earlier this week quoting General Ashfaq Kayani, who took over as army chief from Musharraf last November, saying the army would stay out of the political process.

Western allies and regional neighbours are concerned about instability in a nuclear armed state already reeling from suicide bombings carried out by al Qaeda inspired militants.

The coalition will be led by Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which emerged as the largest party in the new National Assembly without winning a majority. It has yet to nominate a prime ministerial candidate.

The PPP was led by former prime minister Benazir Bhutto before her assassination on Dec. 27, and her husband and political successor Asif Ali Zardari is ineligible as he does not hold a seat in the assembly.

Zardari's deputy chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim was widely regarded as the likely choice for the prime minister's slot, but the delay in naming Fahim has led to doubts.

Talks to form a coalition are expected to take place this weekend between Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister Musharraf deposed. Sharif's party was the runner up in the Feb. 18 vote.

Sharif has made clear his aim to restore judges who Musharraf replaced when he declared emergency rule for six weeks last November, in order to stop them annulling his own re-election by the outgoing parliament a month earlier.

 

[mujahideen]

Musharraf seems in no mood to accept mass verdict: Nawaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Nawaz Sharif said Saturday the ongoing dialogue with the Pakistan People's Party on government formation was preceding in position direction. Addressing a news conference here at the Frontier House, he said he would hold a meeting with PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday to discuses relevant issues. "We will finalize all matters related to formation of government in our meeting," the former prime minister told reporters. The PML-N leader said that restoration of pre-emergency status of the judiciary was top priority of the party and there would no change in this stand. He claimed that President Pervez Musharraf was delaying to call the session of the assemblies and this was creating suspicions. "I smell something foul as the President is not ready to accept the verdict of the masses", he said. Nawaz Sharif said the nation had given its decision on February 18 but the President "is hesitating to accept it". He said the mandate might be a split one but it was undoubtedly against the policies of the President. The President should summon the National Assembly and power should be transferred to the elected representatives of the people, he said. The PML-N leader said that poverty, unemployment and terrorism had increased during the last several years. About Chaudhry Shajaat Hussain's statement predicting new elections soon, Nawaz Sharif said some people had misguided the PML-Q president. Nawaz Sharif said that his brother Shahbaz Sharif would be the Punjab Chief Minister after he was elected to the Punjab assembly through a by-election. He welcomed the statement about Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani that army would stay out of politics and support the elected government.

Courtesy Geo

 

[mujahideen]

PPP, PML-N politics spreading despondency: Pervaiz Elahi

LAHORE: Central leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Q Chaudhery Pervaiz Elahi has said that self-interests based politics of PPP and PML-N is spreading despondency among the masses. Talking to party delegations from different districts at his residence here on Saturday, he said, " During election PPP and PML-N had shown rosy pictures to masses and made false promises." He said PPP should do away with politics of self-interest and announce its nominee for office of Prime Minister so that confusion in this regard is removed. Elahi said both PML-Q and PPP also had differences over the issue of restoration of Judiciary.

Courtesy Geo

 

[mujahideen]

Q-Leaguers urge PPP, 'N' to scrap Article 63

IRFAN BUKHARI

ISLAMABAD - Some PML-Q parliamentarians-elect have requested PML-N and PPP leadership to suspend Article 63-A of the Constitution after forming government so that they could be freed from legal barrier restricting their willing defection from embattled Q-League.
A newly elected PML-Q MNA on Saturday while talking to TheNation said with request of anonymity that there were many legislators-elect in the queue to defect from PML-Q but the anti-defection law was the main hurdle in their way.
“The angry MNAs want to defect from Q-League and are not interested in making forward blocs. Now the ball is in the court of victors. If PML-N and PPP want to win two third majority then they have to suspend Article 63-A of the Constitution,” he said.
He described that PML-Q leadership was aware of the mood of their parliamentarians-elect, therefore, it had time and again issued statements warning them that their switching off allegiance would invite action against them under anti-defection law that is in force.
He said there was a strong streak of anger and hatred among many PML-Q parliamentarians about the events and ways that compelled them to join PML-Q before and after 2002 polls.
“Now the time has come to balance the accounts. I know many parliamentarians of former assembly who were harassed to such an extent that they were left with no choice but to be the part of Q-League government,” he observed.
On the other hand, PML-N and PPP are not ready to lift the restriction as the suspension of anti-defection law could cause an unprecedented mess that can even damage their own interests. A PML-N leader commenting on the issue noted that it was impossible to rescind the law saying, “If it happens what is the guarantee that PML-N or PPP parliamentarians-elect would not indulge in floor crossing thus creating mammoth troubles for party leadership.”
Pakistan People’s Party too has a firm stand that it would not back any such move as according to party leaders it would mean giving PML-N an elbow room to become the largest party because most of the Q-League defectors would naturally join N-League thinking it their mother party.
It is to be remembered that after 2002 elections President Pervez Musharraf suspended anti-defection law to facilitate turncoats to defect from PPP and PML-N thus forming a strong government of PML-Q.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

'Q' dream for govt in Balochistan shatters

QUETTA (Agencies) - PML-Q's plan to form a caolition government in Balochistan suffered a setback Saturday, when its pro-minent leader and former deputy speaker in Provincial Assembly Mir Muhammad Aslam Bhotani along with three other MPAs announced their support for PPP candidate in the House.
Addressing a Press conference at the residence of Mrs Rubina Irfan, Bhotani said that four PML-Q parliamentarians including Basant Lal Gulshan, Hamal Kalmati, Mrs Rubina Irfan and he himself (Bhotani) had formed a ‘like-minded group’ who would support PPP candidate in the house. He said that they took the decision in the best interest of the country and the province which was perhaps 'need of the hour' also. After the support of these four members PPP candidate Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan Raisani is well in a position to form coalition government in Balochistan.
Earlier, Aslam Bhotani rejected the formation of forward bloc in the party, but reiterated that he along with some other parliamentarians would be free to have their own way if PML-Q decided candidature for ‘leader of the house’ without taking them into confidence.
PML-Q on March 5 nominated MPA-elect Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail as parliamentary leader and would decide candidature for the post of the CM within two days.
However, time and again differences emerged after several candidates started lobbying in the party to strengthen their positions for candidature for the top post in the house.
Meanwhile, six more MPAs-elect including four from PML-Q announced their support to PPP-led coalition, which is expected to form government in Balochistan.
They included Mir Amanullah Khan Notezai, Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, Mir Habibur Rehman Muhammad Hasni, Babu Rahim Mengal, Mir Zahoor Hussein Khosa and Mir Salim Khosa said that they were supporting the PPP-led coalition in the best interest of the province and its people.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

No delay in transfer of power to next government: Memon

MULTAN, Mar 8 (APP): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Nisar A. Memon on Saturday said the holding of elections in transparent and peaceful manner nullified all the propaganda against President Pervez Musharraf who fulfilled his pledge to strengthen state institutions. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Pakistan Television Centre here, the minister expressed the confidence that President Musharraf would come up to the expectations of nation in completing the entire democratic process soon, as being part of the parliament himself.

He said, “For first time in country’s history, President Musharraf transferred the command of armed forces to his successor. I am sure that this time too, all propaganda (about delay in government-making) will be proved wrong.”

Memon rejected the impression that there was some delay in transferring power to the next government.

“The electoral process went on smoothly and timely. There has been no delay,” he said.

The minister said election helped the country gain economic strength and prosperity. For the first time, all major political parties participated in the poll process and are now engaged with each other to reach at some decision, he added.

Memon said speculations levelled at various levels about Pakistan’s nuclear assets not being in safe hands, were dispelled categorically by the government on the stance that the country’s security forces were capable enough to defend the homeland.

The minister said launching of television centre in Multan was an incredible idea. this would help act as a launching pad for the area’s artistes, he added.

app - No delay in transfer of power to next government: Memon

 

[mujahideen]

Overall governance structure in Pakistan need improvement: Dr.Ishrat

LONDON, March 8 (APP): Chairman, National Commission for Government Reforms in Pakistan, Dr Ishrat Husain in his discourse at a seminar on ‘Governance and Development’ hosted here by the Aga Khan University Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC), noted that the overall governance structure in his country through which social and economic policies are interlinked has become corroded and dysfunctional and the benefits of rapid growth are not transmitted to a significant segment of the population.

“Starting with the reasonably sound institutions of executive, legislature and judiciary branches of the state, there has been a gradual deterioration in the capacity of these institutions to deliver public goods and services equitably,” he said in his keynote address.

Dr Husain who has been tasked to suggest changes on the size of the Government, also observed that leakages, waste and corruption induced by the patronage and privileges of the ruling elites have created a large wedge in the distribution of gains resulting in differentiated impact of growth on different classes,regions and segments of society.

Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr.Maleeha Lodhi and the Deputy High Commissioner Abdul Basit were also present at the occasion.

As most of the institutions, he said, are controlled by the ruling elite and the basic public services are rationed by access, the poor are at a comparative disadvantage in relation to well-to-do-classes.

“The outcome is therefore obvious in the form of poverty, inequalities and poor social indicators despite high economic growth,” he said.

The seminar is a part of one of the several academic events being organised in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan, Chancellor of the University.
Pakistan, the former Governor of the State Bank, said is one of the few countries that have recorded an impressive growth rate of over five per cent per annum between 1947 and 2007. Only a few developing countries mainly in Asia have been able to achieve such high rates of growth over an extended period of time, he added.

Examining deeply, he stated that despite this impressive growth, almost one quarter of the population still lives below the poverty line and social indicators are among the worse in the developing world with the country being ranked 134th among 177 countries in the Human Development Index ratings.

“Income inequalities, regional disparities and gender differentials have worsened over time,” he said.

Speaking about the governance reform agenda,Dr.Husain explained that it is designed at restructuring government and revitalizing institutions to deliver the core functions of the state which include provision of basic services such as education, health, water sanitation and security to common citizens in an effective and efficient manner and to promote inclusive markets through which all citizens have equal opportunities to participate in the economy.

He said the governance agenda cannot be implemented without the political backing.

“The balancing of diverse interests of the various stakeholders involves many politically tough choices which cannot be made by the technocrats.”

Prof.Mushtaq Khan who teaches at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in his lecture looked at the relationship between governance including democracy and accountability and development as a two-way relationship.

He said the historical experience and lessons of East Asia do not fit well with the conventional wisdom on good governance as a necessary precondition for development.

“This does not mean that democracy should be abandoned as an important aspiration for developing countries such as Pakistan but rather that many other complementary policies are required which many downplay the importance and expectations we have of democratisation as a policy priority.”

He pointed out the limitations of a simplistic transposition of the lessons of China or other East Asian countries for Pakistan where the political environment is entirely different.

The Director of the AKU-ISMC Abdou Filali Ansary delivered his closing remarks on the day long seminar.

app

 

[mujahideen]

Sharif, Zardari set to meet on government formation

ISLAMABAD, Mar 8 (APP): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said Saturday the ongoing dialogue with the Pakistan People’s Party on government formation was preceding in positive direction.Addressing a news conference here at the Frontier House, he said he would hold a meeting with PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday to discuses relevant issues.

The crucial meeting would be held at Bhurban near the Murree hill resort.

“We will finalize all matters related to formation of government at the Bhurban meeting,” the former prime minister said.

The PML-N leader said that restoration of pre-emergency status of the judiciary was top priority of the party and there would no change in this stand.

He claimed that President Pervez Musharraf was delaying to call the session of the assemblies and this was creating suspicions.

“I smell something foul as the President is not ready to accept the verdict of the masses”, he said.

Nawaz Sharif said the nation had given its decision on February 18 but the President “is hesitating to accept it”.

He said the mandate might be a split one but it was undoubtedly against the policies of the President.

The President should summon the National Assembly power should transferred to the elected representatives of the people, he said.

The PML-N leader said that poverty, unemployment and terrorism had increased during the last several years.

About Chaudhry Shajaat Hussain’s statement predicting new elections soon, Nawaz Sharif said some people had misguided the PML-Q president.

Nawaz Sharif said that his brother Shahbaz Sharif would be the Punjab Chief Minister after he was elected to the Punjab assembly through a by-election.

Replying to a question, he said that no decision had been taken as yet for an interim chief minister.

He welcomed the statement about Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani that army would stay out of politics and support the elected government.

The PML-N leader expressed concern over the indisposition of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. “We pray for his early recovery.”

app - Sharif, Zardari set to meet on government formation

 

[mujahideen]

JUI sides with PPP-led coalition

By Asim Yasin

ISLAMABAD: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI), in a major breakthrough, announced on Saturday to join the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) to form coalition governments at the Centre and in Balochistan.

"We have taken a decision, in principle, to join the national consensus coalition government with the Pakistan People's Party at the Centre as well as in Balochistan," said JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman while addressing a joint press conference with PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari here at the Zardari House, after holding an hour-long meeting.

With the JUI announcement to become a part of the PPP-led government at the Centre, the numerical strength of the PPP (120), PML-N (90), ANP (13) and JUI (6) reaches 229, which simply means that the four party alliance has two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.

"We are thankful to the people of Pakistan, particularly Balochistan, that Maulana Fazlur Rehman has announced to become a part of the national consensus coalition government," said Co-Chairman PPP Asif Ali Zardari.

He said the PPP will form the national government to take all the parties on board to strengthen democracy and the democratic institutions in the country. "We held talks with Maulana Fazlur Rehman in a broader spectrum and now will sit together to sort out the modalities for the formation of the government." He said the PPP wanted to take the benefit of the political approach and understanding of Maulana Fazalur Rehman for better future of democracy.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said a committee had been formed to evolve the modalities for the formation of the government. "We have authorised the committee to finalise the proposals for share in the government according to the strength of the coalition partners," he added.

Earlier, in a last ditch effort to form the government in Balochistan, the Pakistan Muslim League-Q has offered chief ministership of Balochistan to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F).

President PML-Q Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain made this offer to Chief of JUI-F Balochistan Maulana Muhammad Khan Sheerani during a meeting here on Saturday.

According to sources, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who just after returning from Quetta, had gone to the residence of Maulana Muhammad Khan Sheerani to offer the package for the coalition government in Balochistan.

Sources said so far JUI-F did not give reply to the PML-Q on their offer but conveyed to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who sought time till today (Sunday) to decide either to accept the offer or not. They said Maulana Fazlur Rehman sought time, as he had to hold meeting with PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday evening.

Sources hinted that the JUI-F may come up with their decision either to go with the PML-Q in Balochistan or with the PPP at the Centre as well as in Balochistan or will sit in opposition at the Centre and Balochistan.

JUI sides with PPP-led coalition

 

[mujahideen]

ARD’s meeting scheduled today cancelled

ISLAMABAD: Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim cancelled the meeting scheduled to be held today. Talking to media outside Zardari House here, Makhdoom Amin Fahim said the reason for calling the meeting was to extend the consultation process; however, the newspapers spoiled the meeting. The newspapers published the news stories that Asif Ali Zardari said that he has nothing to do with the meeting called by Makhdoom Amin Fahim. Makhdoom Amin Fahim also called on Asif Ali Zardari.

Courtesy Geo

 

[mujahideen]

Peace top priority, says Asfandyar

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) central president Asfandyar Wali has said that the restoration of peace in the province must be the NWFP Government’s top priority. He was of the view that progress in the province was impossible without peace. Talking to journalists during a luncheon hosted by the chief minister-designate Amir Haidar Hoti in honour of his party’s elected members of the provincial assembly (MPAs) here on Saturday, Asfandyar said that the National Assembly meeting should be convened without any further delay. He said that during his talks with Asif Zardari the two had agreed on a new name for the NWFP. He said they were in contact with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over the issue of government formation in the NWFP. staff report

Courtesy Daily Times