Pakistan's new balance of power

[mujahideen]

Burney resigns at eleventh hour

MAQSOOD TIRMIZI

ISLAMABAD - Succumbing to criticism on release of Kashmir Singh and failure in handling Khalid Mehmood’s case, caretaker Minister for Humans Rights Ansar Burney Friday resigned, just a day before the farewell meeting of the cabinet.
According to sources, Burney will not attend today’s meeting of the cabinet. Ostensibly, he retaliated to the Federal Law Ministry for not buying his proposal to accord the chairman of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) the status of a High Court judge.
The sources revealed that Burney was planning to grab the slot of chairman HRCP, the non-governmental slot he wanted to upgrade to the level of High Court judge, after relinquishing the charge as member of the interim cabinet. Kashmir Singh venture by the Burney was one of his efforts to become the human rights champion in Pakistan, the sources added.
Burney was demanding from Federal Law Ministry to give equal rights of a High Court judge to the chairman HRCP but the Law Ministry twice rejected the proposal. “On the rejection from Law Ministry, Burney also requested President Musharraf for the same purpose who again sought opinion of the Ministry that maintained its earlier stance of not accepting the proposal, thus apparently causing the resignation,” the sources revealed.
However, the release of Kashmir Singh cannot be ruled out as one of the main causes behind his resignation. The criticism on Kashmir Singh’s release increased when Kashmir admitted that he was an Indian spy. The critics of Burney were further furious upon juxtaposition of Kashmir Singh’s release with the Indian dispatch of the dead body of Khalid Mehmood, who died of lethal torture in a jail by the Indian authorities.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

An acid test for PML-N

IRFAN BUKHARI

ISLAMABAD - Selecting ministers for Punjab cabinet is an acid test for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership as most of its MPAs-elect lack strong political background and the experience required for the job, shared a newly elected PML-N MPA while talking to TheNation here on Friday.
“PML-N had a team of seasoned parliamentarians in Punjab Assembly that was trained between 1988 to 1997 and those lawmakers knew how to run a ministry with perplexed bureaucratic attitudes,” said the MPA. He also said the defection from PML- N following 1999 coup created a vacuum in the party that was filled with the second or third layer leadership within the party.
He argued that the defectors of PML-N at the provincial level, like the national level, contested polls from the platform of PML-Q and many of them were members of Pervaiz Elahi’s cabinet. “Although PML-N has won an overwhelming majority in Punjab and proved that no political challenge can uproot the party’s popularity in its strongholds, yet it is a fact that most of its parliamentarians-elect have no exposure to work at provincial level,” he added.
“I know many who have emerged from the level of UC Councillors to the MPAs and have a strong yearning for induction in the cabinet and have started hectic lobbying also for this purpose,” the MPA stated. He asked how a man with no competence and administrative experience can deliver promises made by the party during electioneering to the nation.
He said that it is true that they can learn the task after spending some time in their portfolios but in the present crises it is hard to give any time to a new comer. He said that the party leadership is pondering over the names of probable with caution adding, “This time the party has decided to take decisions regarding the nomination of provincial ministers on merit brushing aside all political pressures and compulsions.”
The N-League man was confident enough while arguing that Mian Shahbaz Sharif alone would be able to control all departments in the absence of seasoned ministers. “In his last tenure he used to check the performance of all provincial secretaries himself. The secretaries would answer him regarding implementation of policies instead of respective ministers,” he noted. But for this, he said in the same breath, the party would have to wait till he (Shahbaz) took the charge of CM Punjab office after three months.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

Nawaz party wants foreign ministry

MUBASHIR HASSAN

LAHORE - As negotiations between the PPP and the PML-N are still under way for distribution of important cabinet slots among the coalition partners, the PML-N has reportedly expressed its desire to have ministry of foreign affairs, while showing its disinclination for ministry of finance.
Sources privy to the ongoing consultation process between the two sides told The Nation on Friday that PPP was finding it hard to meet this demand from one of its major coalition partners as it also wanted to keep this important office with itself being the majority party in the parliament.
It merits mentioning here that although the PPP and the PML-N might have uniformity of views over domestic issues, yet the two might adopt slightly different approaches to deal with certain foreign policy issues, especially those which might be of great concern to the US, the sole super power on earth at present. The PPP also has with it capable parliamentarians like former Foreign Minister Sardar Aseff Ahmad Ali and former Speaker National Assembly Yousuf Raza Gilani to head the ministry of foreign affairs. Sardar Asif defeated former FM Khurshed Mehmood Kasuri in the last general elections. Gilani will also like to have this portfolio if he is not considered for the prime minister slot.
The sources further disclosed that PPP has, instead, offered ministry of finance to the PML-N, but the latter is disinclined to have this department reportedly because it fears erosion in its vote bank if the coming budget is not people-friendly.
Some more rounds of talks between the PPP and the PML-N are likely to take place in the coming days to resolve all contentious issues with regard to fixation of their share in the federal ministries.
It is to be noted that initially the PML-N was reluctant to become part of the federal cabinet, and it was only after strong insistence from PPP leadership that it agreed to accept some ministries. But now as the PML-N has decided to take government offices, it seems resolute to get the portfolios of its choice.
Meanwhile, the PPP is facing difficult situation with regard to allotment of different ministries among its own party men because it has not been able to sort out the issue with the PML-N so far.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

PML-Q to play positive role in opposition; Pervaiz

LAHORE, Mar 14 (APP): Central leader of PML-Q Ch. Pervaiz Elahi has said PML-Q would play positive role in opposition and fully highlight problems facing people in the parliament as well as out of it. Talking to newly PML-Q’s elected members of Punjab Assembly including women legislators at his residence here Friday, he said , “Unlike past opposition which did nothing but thumping of desks, raising slogans ,staging walk outs and taking salaries, we would do politics on the basis of principles and issues.”

He said political parties are made in opposition and PML-Q leadership would take the party forward with its positive attitude.

He vowed to fully participate in assembly proceedings adding the performance of PML-Q during its five year tenure in power had been tremendous. He said the parties that are going to form government would not be able to deliver as there are a lot of contradictions in them.

He urged the newly elected legislators to ensure party discipline adding that all decisions would be taken in consultation with party members.

Speaking on the occasion, president PML-Q Chaudhery Shujaat Hussain said that PML-Q and its allied parties have secured highest number of votes and has full representation in all the four provinces while PML-N remained limited to Punjab province.

He said PML would play its role for the progress and prosperity of the country by remaining in opposition. He asked newly elected legislators to play their positive role and fully participate in assembly’s proceedings.

Chaudhery Zaheer Uddin, Muhammad Basharat Raja and Monis Elahi were also present on the occasion.

Associated Press Of Pakistan - PML-Q to play positive role in opposition; Pervaiz

 

[mujahideen]

Fahim meets Fazl ‘informally’

Rules out forward bloc; Nawaz, Wali snub PPPP leader

By Asim Yasin

ISLAMABAD: Senior People's Party leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim's solo efforts to meet leaders of coalition partners have put the party in a quandary, fuelling speculation of a forward bloc.

Significantly, while PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and ANP chief Asfandyar Wali chose not to meet him citing prior engagements, Fahim did manage to meet JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman here on Friday at the latter's residence.

Source in the PML-N and the ANP confirmed that their leaders have expressed inability to meet him due to their prior engagements. His meeting with the JUI-F leader has been termed 'informal'. However, no senior PPP leader was willing to talk about it, saying they did not want to comment on it as already the media was fuelling the controversy within the party.

They remarked that there was no ban on any party leader to contact the coalition partners if the party co-chairman had been informed of the meeting. "But it could not be said whether the co-chairman was informed of such contacts," senior leaders of the party remarked when asked whether any assignment was given to Makhdoom Amin Fahim by Asif Ali Zardari.

Later, talking to newsmen after meeting Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Makhdoom Amin Fahim denied reports that he was making any pressure group or forward bloc in the party, saying such reports only fuel controversies.

"I have good relations with Asif Ali Zardari and there is no question of forming any bloc," he said. He claimed that he was still a strong candidate for the post of prime minister but said if Asif Ali Zardari wants to become the prime minister he would stand behind him.

When asked about his meeting with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Amin Fahim said the meeting has no political dimensions and he met him in his personal capacity. About Asfandyar Wali's 'refusal' to meet him, he said it was not a fixed meeting as Asfandyar Wali had some prior engagements.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said after the meeting that it is PPP's internal matter to nominate a candidate for the prime minister and his party would not interfere in it. He said his party supports the PPP and has no reservations on whosoever becomes prime minister.

He clarified that during the meeting they did not discuss any political issue. He said he considers Amin Fahim as his elder and has very close relations with him for the last many years. Replying to another question, he said he wants true democracy to flourish in the country and is ready to work with anyone in this regard.

Fahim meets Fazl ‘informally’

 

[mujahideen]

‘Zardari’s brother-in-law likely to be CM’s secretary’

Saturday, March 15, 2008
By our correspondent

The services of Grade-20 DMG officer Fazallulah Pechoho, brother-in-law of PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, have been placed at the disposal of Sindh government for further posting. He was posted as Secretary Communication and Works.

According to sources, the husband of PPP MNA Dr Azra is likely to be posted at Chief Minister House as Secretary to CM.

Fazallulah Pechoho had left the country after he was terminated in 1996 following the dismissal of the then PPP government.

Pechoho had been Deputy Commissioner Thatta in 1996. His service was terminated by the Nawaz Sharif government. However, he was reinstated in 2001 and promoted in the next grade. He is presently working in Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP).

‘Zardari’s brother-in-law likely to be CM’s secretary’

 

[mujahideen]

Achakzai stresses need for unity among political forces

Calls for independent foreign policy reflecting wishes of masses

Saturday, March 15, 2008
By our correspondent

PESHAWAR: Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai said on Friday that legal fraternity was fighting for the cause of democracy and political forces of Pakistan should support them as it was in their own interest.

"The country is passing through a difficult period of its history. Political forces must unite if they want the country to survive and ward off the looming crisis," Achakzai said during a press briefing at the conclusion of a two-day meeting of his party.

The nationalist leader, who is also the convener for the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM), said the alliance would agree only to an independent foreign policy that reflected the wishes of the people. "We won't accept any policy that is contrary to the people's aspiration."

Achakzai said the alliance was striving hard to restore the deposed judges and uphold the rule of law in the country and had nothing personal against any individual or institution. "We have no enmity with President Pervez Musharraf, the armed forces, the establishment or the agencies. All that we want is functioning of these entities within the parameters set by the Constitution."

The PMAP chief said the armed forces and the secret agencies were mandated to protect the frontiers of the country and had nothing to do with politics. "The alliance wants them and the establishment to stay away from the national politics," he said.

The PMAP chief believed that the masses had rejected the policies of President Musharraf by voting against his associates in the February 18 elections and it was time for him to step down with dignity. "He should now show moral courage and apologise to the nation on state television," he said and added that Musharraf should quit and save the country.

The APDM convener said the lawlessness had hit the country and even mosques, funerals and Jirgas were being targeted, leaving the common man with no place to take refuge against the bomb blasts and suicide attacks. "All the political parties are required to do some soul searching and ponder over the lawlessness," he added.

To a query, he said they were in contact with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) for the sake of strengthening democracy. He lauded the leadership of both the parties for joining hands against the dictatorship and for the cause of free judiciary and democracy. "These parties until now accused each other of corruption and invited others to end each other's rule," he said.

Achakzai said the military rulers always took advantage of the differences among the political parties and successfully capitalised on the confrontation among them, which had caused a great deal of damage to democracy.

"We should thank Allah that the main political parties -- the PPP and PML-N -- have got united against the military role in politics and indications are that the people will see real democracy in days to come," he said.

Achakzai urged the political parties to throw their weight behind the lawyers so that the deposed judges could be restored and Musharraf could be shown the door. He said that Pakistan was the only Islamic country where democracy was being restored, as kings were ruling most of the Islamic countries.

Achakzai stresses need for unity among political forces

 

[mujahideen]

All PML-N top leaders will become ministers

By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Barring a few exceptions, all senior Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leaders will join the PPP-led federal cabinet. They include prominent stalwarts Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Asif, Sardar Mehtab and some other top luminaries, an informed PML-N leader told The News.

However, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi is unlikely to be a part of the ministerial bandwagon because he has told his party and declared publicly as well that despite the party’s decision to take oath from President Pervez Musharraf, he would not like to be sworn in by him.

PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif is going to be the chief minister of the Punjab while its supreme leader Nawaz Sharif will continue to lead the party before and after his election as member of the National Assembly without having any official position.

The cabinet will be formed and expanded in three phases, which will be sizable but considerably smaller than compared to the outgoing battalion of ministers, the source said.The first phase, as it is generally known now, will consist of around a dozen ministers. The previous cabinet had an army of nearly 70 ministers.

At the end of the day, subject to the survival of the would-be ruling coalition, the cabinet will comprise around 35 ministers when more PML-N nominees would be taken in. A total of 41 ministries are presently available to fill in, but the source said there was a plan to slash their number to put a ceiling on unnecessary wasteful administrative spending.

The PML-N nominees will get vital ministries like finance, petroleum, etc, and the ongoing rounds of discussions of a joint committee of the two main coalition players are focused on this aspect as well as other vital issues, the source said.

"When we have decided to join the cabinet as a quid pro quo, our participation should be full and meaningful, not perfunctory. Therefore, we should get the due share in ministries where we can deliver and make some worthwhile contribution," another PML-N leader told this correspondent.

He said it was clear that since the prime minister would be from the PPP, ministries, which are considered "key", would be allocated to the PML-N representatives. Apart from the allocation of ministries among nominees of the coalition partners, including the ANP, the joint committee has also focused on how to run the National Assembly in complete unison, especially amending the Constitution or existing laws and enacting fresh legislation.

The source said the third issue that had been under discussion of the combined committee was the functioning and assignment of different bodies of the National Assembly, including the one relating to the restoration of the deposed judges.

"We want to do our homework in all respects before the maiden session of the National Assembly so that there is no ambiguity left in the smooth working of the coalition in different spheres in every sense," the source said.

He said modalities on how to go about the restoration of the sacked judges of the superior courts before and after the approval of a resolution by the lower house were also being worked out.

"Most importantly, our debate is also concentrated on blunting the moves to create misunderstandings in the coalition with a view to rock it finally."The PPP would have the largest number of ministers to be followed by the PML-N, keeping in view their numerical strength in the National Assembly. The ANP would get a couple of ministries according to the same formula. After the election to special seats of women and minorities, the PPP has a total of 120 MNAs, the PML-N 90, and the ANP 13.

All PML-N top leaders will become ministers

 

[mujahideen]

Politicking for govt. formation in final stage

ISLAMABAD: Politicking in the capital reaches new heights, as the major political players gather to hold last-minute talks prior to the convening of the parliament. The question of next prime minister is yet to be resolved. The opening session of the newly elected National Assembly scheduled to be held on March 17 (Monday) and the arrangements for the session being finalized. Pakistan People’s Party, Muslim League (N), Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) have formed a joint strategy for formation of government ahead of the NA session. Most of the new members of the parliament have already reached Islamabad for the assembly session. Pakistan People’s Party holding consultations within party ranks over the names of speaker and deputy speaker. Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari will announce the names of the party’s candidates for speaker and deputy speaker slots. According to the party sources if the prime minister named from Punjab the offices of speaker and deputy speaker would go to Sindh and NWFP respectively. The National Assembly secretariat was issuing passes and cards to the assembly members, while special passes being issued to the guests. The parliamentary party meetings of various political parties will be held before the assembly session. A joint meeting of the new coalition will be held at 09:00 am on Monday. The first session of the assembly will be held on 11:00 am in which, Speaker Chaudhry Ameer Hussain will administer oath to the new members of the assembly. PPP has not yet announced the name of its prime minister candidate and the chief minister of Balochistan. The prime minister’s name is likely to be announced after the opening session of the house. Meanwhile, the PML (Q) leaders have vowed to field their candidates for the offices of speaker and deputy speaker. The process of government formation will be completed by March 23rd, the political circles said.

Courtesy Geo

 

[mujahideen]

Fahim meets Nawaz today

OUR STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE - As the controversy over PM nomination still persists, the estranged PPP leader Amin Fahim is scheduled to meet PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif here today at the latter’s Raiwind residence.
The PML-N sources Saturday confirmed the meeting, saying the two leaders would discuss the latest political situation in the country and would also have lunch together.
Earlier, Makhdoom met MMA leader Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman in Islamabad the other day. He also wanted to see ANP chief Asfandyar Wali, but he declined the request, saying he did not want to interfere in PPP’s internal matters.
Close circles of PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari are interpreting Makhdoom’s meetings with different party heads as a desperate effort on his part to build pressure on and cause embarrassment to the party chief through various means.
ANN adds: PPP Senior Vice Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim has said that almost all the party members wish to see him as Prime Minister but they are hesitant to come forward before Asif Zardari. His character is crystal clear and there must be consensus on his name as the Prime Minister, he said making it clear that he won’t accept any office other than the Premiership. Amin Fahim expressed these ideas while talking to different delegations and media men on Saturday.
He said that he had unfaltering attachment with the PPP and he had proved it on every occasion. He said that Benazir Bhutto wanted to see him as Prime Minister and this thing was also disclosed to media people by Asif Zardari on the eve of Soyem of the Mohtarma.
“People’s party has not yet reached a clear decision whether the PM will be from Punjab or Sindh. PPP is a symbol of Federation and we believe in regional construction,” he said.
Talking about his meetings with different political figures he said that he and Zardari were the part of the same party and his meetings with him were a routine matter. His meeting with Zardari or other political leaders had no political purpose and he did not want PPP be divided, he said.
He also said that there should be consensus on his name for PM slot at the same time adding that he was ready to withdraw if Zardari wished to become Prime Minister.
He claimed that Zardari had a formula for matter regarding PM slot which he (Fahim) would not disclose at present. He said that he would not accept any other office but premiership. He, however, told that no other office had been offered to him.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

Poll victors to hold joint parliamentary meeting

ISLAMABAD (APP) - The Parliament House is set to make a new history as for the first time three most popular political parties of the country will hold a joint parliamentary meeting and the MNAs-elect from PPP, PML-N and ANP, the coalition partners, will sit together to formulate strategies.
The meeting, to be held at the Parliament House at 10:00am on Monday (tomorrow), would be co-chaired by PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan.
As per sources, the meeting would also decide coalition’s joint candidates for the slots of NA Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Matters pertaining to power-sharing in the federal cabinet would also come under discussion.
All the three parties would also hold separate parliamentary party sittings prior to the joint meeting.
Meanwhile, all arrangements have been finalised for the holding of inaugural session of the National Assembly on Monday. This will be the 13th National Assembly of the country, Radio Pakistan reported.
The political parties have convened their parliamentary party meetings on the occasion to formulate their strategies.
Newly elected members of the National Assembly will take oath on Monday and sign the roll of the house.
Elections for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be held through secret ballot on Wednesday. Nomination papers for these slots can be filed by 12:00 noon on Tuesday.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

Who is to be Punjab Governor?

IRFAN BUKHARI

ISLAMABAD - While the winning parties face an uphill task in nominating their candidate for the PM and the rest of the cabinet, some political figures of Punjab affiliated with different political parties have geared up their hectic lobbying to become the next Governor of Punjab.
The hectic efforts of Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) to get the slot of Governor Punjab for Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, brother of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, have proved futile and there is a high likelihood that a man from the PPP would replace Khalid Maqbool.
A PML-Q Parliamentarian, requesting not to be named, claimed that according to an understanding between presidential camp and PPP, which according to Q-League leader was still intact, it had been promised by the former to give the slot to the PPP.
But on the other hand PPPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar castigated the claim that there was any kind of contact or understanding between Peoples Party and the presidential camp and also noted that there were no deliberations regarding the future governor of Punjab within party.
Another PML-Q Parliamentarian also claimed that Peoples Party wanted to have its own man at the governorship slot in Punjab to counter the Muslim League (Nawaz) majority rule in the province. “The floating of Ch Wajahat Hussain’s name for the Punjab governorship was meant to give impression at the Gujrat level that if the arch rival of Chaudhrys, Ch Ahmad Mukhtar could be the candidate for PM slot by PPPP then Chaudhrys could also ascend to the chair of Punjab Governor”, he noted.
He said that if Wajahat quits his seat, it would be almost impossible to secure the vacant seat by PML-Q in the by-election, thus depriving the party of an MNA in the time when the party already stood at a weak position. Senator Tariq Azeem, spokesman for the PML-Q, refuted the impression that there was any effort from the party to get Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain nominated for the governorship of Punjab.
Another potential candidate in the gubernatorial race is the stalwart Nawab cum politician from Bahawalpur division, Salahuddin Abbasi, a former MNA who consecutively won the National Assembly seat from 1988 to 1997. Though a very close associate of Nawaz Sharif in the 80s and 90s, he leaned towards PPPP after 1999 coup instead of PML-Q due to the development of severe differences with Chaudhrys of Gujrat on the issue of local government elections.
In 2008 elections, he helped a lot in securing nine National Assembly seats for PPPP and two for PML-N in the Bahawalpur division by supporting them in a hectic electioneering day and night. On his instructions, an Independent MNA from NA-184, Amir Yar Warran, has also joined PPPP. All the winning candidates of PPPP and PML-N from the division on both National and Provincial Assembly seats have constituted a bloc to put pressure on their respective parties to bring Salahuddin Abbasi as a joint candidate for the position of Punjab Governor.
Malik Farooq Azam a PPPP leader and former Federal Minister, who was defeated on February 18th by PML-N candidate Baleeghur Rehman, said that all the parliamentarians either of PPPP or PML-N from both National and Provincial Assemblies had committed to getting their patron and mentor nominated for the gubernatorial slot from their respective political platforms.
Senator Dr Babar Awan is also the strong candidate for the slot. “He was interested in the portfolio of law and justice but as the Senator Farooq Naik is being made the law minister, he has turned the direction of his efforts to become Punjab’s governor”, a source within PPPP said. Despite repeated attempts to contact him, Dr Babar Awan was not available to comment.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

Judges’ restoration binding, says Zardari

By Asim Yasin

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has said that the PPP had committed in the Murree Declaration to make the judiciary completely independent and also restore the sacked judges and vowed to honour this pledge.

He said this while addressing a 70-member delegation of the People's Lawyers' Forum that called on him here at the Zardari House, Saturday.

He said that the party aimed at making the Parliament supreme and would not allow any other institution to subvert sovereignty of the Parliament. " The PPP will provide justice to all including the sacked judges and to the institution of judiciary as a whole which has long been neglected and its independence has been eroded," he said.

He said he himself had been a victim of the manipulation of a pliant judiciary at the hands of the executive and spent eleven years in jail without conviction and therefore, he was well aware of the ills relating to the institution of judiciary.

The PPP co-chairman said that no other party or group had rendered greater sacrifices for the independence of judiciary and the sacked judges than the workers of the PPP. "No one, therefore, had a right to walk taller than the PPP workers on this issue," he said.

He said that scores of the PPP workers lost lives, some had their legs amputated and crippled for life while fighting for the cause of judiciary last year. " How can some individuals or groups advance credentials as champions of independent judiciary ahead of the Pakistan Peoples Party?" he asked

Asif Zardari said that the PPP was trendsetter and led the path and will continue to lead from the front.

The PPP co-chairman said that the conspirators had not stopped hatching new plots against the PPP and had indeed stepped up their conspiracies. " After rigging in selected constituencies they tried to sow dissension between the PPP and other democratic parties but in response the PPP joined hands with the democratic forces in a coalition arrangement to thwart conspiracies," he said.

The PPP co-chairman also paid tributes to the lawyers' community for their steadfast struggle for democracy, rule of law and constitutionalism.

The meeting was attended by members of the Pakistan Bar Council, provincial bar councils and divisional presidents and secretary-generals of the PLF besides Senators Latif Khosa, Farooq Naek and Zamurad Khan.

Judges’ restoration binding, says Zardari

 

[mujahideen]

Fahim likely to hold meeting with MQM

Sunday, March 16, 2008
By Fasahat Mohiuddin

Karachi- Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) president, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, is likely to meet the leadership of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in a couple of days.

Sources in the MQM told The News that some close aides of Fahim’s have conveyed his desire to hold a meeting with the MQM leadership to discuss the political situation in Pakistan, and the latter agreed. Officials maintained that Fahim will always be welcomed because the MQM is ‘not an extremist, and that ‘its doors are always open for dialogue.’

It may be recalled that, back in 2002, Fahim had visited Nine-zero as part of an attempt to form a coalition government with the MQM - a plan which did not materialise.

Earlier, PPP Sindh President Qaim Ali Shah, along with other party leaders, had visited the MQM headquarters (Nine-Zero) on the directives of PPP co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari. Shah had maintained that the meeting, held last month, had been an informal affair.

Meanwhile, an MQM Rabita committee meeting was held Saturday at Nine-Zero Azizabad. The political situation of Pakistan, the oath-taking ceremony of the MNAs-elect in the inaugural session of the national assembly, and the elections strategy for speaker and deputy speaker were discussed at the meeting.

The fact that that prime minister of Pakistan is yet to be nominated was also talked about. The party, however, is yet to take a decision about whether it wants to sit in the opposition, or join a coalition government in Sindh.

Officials said that a meeting between Fahim and MQM Rabita committee deputy convener, Dr Farooq Sattar, might take place in Islamabad, too. The MQM secretariat in London was closely monitoring the current political situation, they added.

Fahim likely to hold meeting with MQM

 

[mujahideen]

Zardari being told to form cabinet without PM

By Muhammad Ahmad Noorani

ISLAMABAD: Asif Ali Zardari is in the company of strange legal experts, one of whom is trying to sell the idea that there could be a cabinet without a prime minister.

The legal aide, however, lacks the courage to say this on record. He claims that Asif Ali Zardari has barred him from going on record on this issue because his very name would suggest that he is voicing the PPP co-chairperson's words as has happened in the past.

The legal aide-cum-political leader, known for his urge for change of parties, seems to be impressed from General Zia-ul-Haq, who had once allowed a headless cabinet to proceed after sacking Muhammad Khan Junejo.

Zardari's aide insists that the formation of a headless cabinet is a great possibility. However, for others this is nothing less than a joke. Farhatullah Babar, the spokesperson for the PPP, denied that any such proposal was under consideration of the party leadership. Quoting Asif Ali Zardari, whom he contacted after The News put the question on Friday, said the PPP leadership was still consulting with its members, newly-elected legislators and coalition partners on all the aspects of the PM nominee and had not reached a final decision. "Within a few days, the situation would be clear," Babar said.

Reacting to Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar's statement that there will be no interim government and Asif Zardari had decided in principle not to become the prime minister, some other senior leaders of Pakistan People's Party have said this was not the case. At the same time, a large number of senior leaders are still of the view that Zardari is not becoming the prime minister and the prime minister to be appointed after a few days will be a permanent PM and not an interim one.

But those who are closer to Zardari, especially in the late night concluding-meeting of the day, tell a different story.

A senior PPP leader, who is also a lawyer, told The News that on the consistent demand of the newly-elected legislators of different parties, Asif was ready to contest for the top slot. However, he said there might be no interim set-up, as this was possible under Article 91 (1) of the Constitution. According to the interpretation of this top leader of the PPP, there is mention of the prime minister as the head of the cabinet but his immediate appointment and taking oath with other members of the cabinet is not necessary.

Article-91 of the Constitution reads: "There shall be a cabinet of ministers, with Prime Minister at its head, to aid and advise the President in the exercise of his functions."

Malik Muhammad Qayyum, commenting on the interpretation of the top legal aide of Zardari, said it was constitutionally impossible. He said a cabinet couldn't take oath without its head – the prime minister. He cited the example of the Haji Saifullah case of 1988 on the judges’ appointment issue, when some judges were appointed by the then dictator Gen Zia-ul-Haq without the advice of the prime minister as the top government slot was vacant, which was mandatory constitutionally. Qayyum said that Justice Saifur Rehman, in a detailed verdict of the case, had written that not only the judges’ appointment was unconstitutional without the advice of the prime minister, there was also no concept of any cabinet without the prime minister.

The 1988 elections were held by a caretaker cabinet without a prime minister with Ishaq Khan as president heading the government. The interpretation of the senior PPP leader, which was not accepted even by other PPP legal minds, who didn't want to go on record to avoid any controversy, is that if the name of the prime minister and the federal cabinet members is announced and the prime minister or some other members of the cabinet do not take oath at the first stage, there is no problem constitutionally. He said in the case of the members of the National Assembly, any member could take oath later on the basis of some reason. While replying to questions that how the government could function without its head, and how the lower house of parliament will function without the leader of the house, he said there will be problems but constitutionally it was possible and it would be for some interim period of maximum 30 days after which Asif would return to the assembly by winning the by-polls from the constituency where the elections were not held because of the killing of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

He said after the 2002 elections, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali also took oath after 31 days of the first session of the assembly. However, he did not discuss the complexity of the proposed situation as Jamali had taken oath with his cabinet.

He also said that the PML-N could also use this strategy in the Punjab to avoid the issue of interim chief minister. However, the situation became much complicated when Kanwar Dilshad, Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), was approached by The News. He said the by-election would be held after at least 52 days when the members of the National Assembly who had won more than one seat, would submit to the ECP which seat they would like to retain.

Keeping in view the statement of the ECP secretary, if the members who won more than one seat clarify their position on March 17, the day of the first session of the National Assembly, by-elections would be held at least after May 9. That means if the PPP would go ahead with its proposed plan of not installing an interim prime minister, the federal government will run without a prime minister for more than 50 days.

He said, however, this was an option under consideration, and an interim prime minister could also be installed, and in that case Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar will be the PPP nominee.

On the other hand, the senior PPP leader who gave the strange interpretation, confidently told The News that Asif had decided to become the prime minister and all the coalition partners had agreed to it.

Zardari being told to form cabinet without PM