Pakistan's new balance of power

[mujahideen]

PPP to ensure uplift of womenfolk: Mehreen

ISLAMABAD (APP): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would put more efforts to empower womenfolk, after coming to power, by ensuring their proper involvement in political, social and economic spheres of life. This was stated by Mehreen Anwar Raja, PPP MNA, in an interview with APP. Mehreen Raja said that awareness of the women folk about their rights and obligations was necessary so that they could play a vibrant role in the nation building. She also emphasized on the specialization of their skill development being a prime objective of PPP's agenda so that women could strengthen the society by working side by side with men. Mehreen opined that it is essential to provide healthy environs especially to the working women and proper legislation would be initiated to resolve grievances of women, adding all the discriminatory laws in this regard would be brought to an end which are hurdle in the way of their progress. She said that more women hostels would also be established to ensure protection of working women and facilitate them. Responding to a question with regard to youth development, Mehreen mentioned an important scheme for creating employment opportunities for youth as a part of manifesto according to which post-graduates would be inducted in different government departments for 2 years and sufficient compensation would be provided to them so that they can arrange for them better opportunities in their careers by gaining experience in these departments. Mehreen Raja said that women representation would be enhanced in diverse fields to empower them in accordance with PPP's manifesto. Answering a question relating to the role of women in the local bodies, she said they were already inducted as councilors and nazims and their status must be further upgraded and enhanced. To a question, Mehreen said that PPP would take effective measures to bring down the soaring prices which are not within the reach of common people. In this regard, she said, special committees would be set up to keep check on the prices for providing relief to the poor and oppressed segments of the society.

The Frontier Post

 

[mujahideen]

‘No forward bloc in People’s Party’

Tuesday, March 18, 2008
By Tahir Hasan Khan

Karachi- The members of the PPP Parliamentary Party and its ANP ally showed their strength on Monday at a meeting held at local hotel and party leaders claimed that that there was no split in the party despite the reservations of Makhdoom Amin Fahim over the issue of the Prime Ministerial candidate of the party.

The participants of the meeting expressed concern over the reports about formation of forward bloc in the party to change the party mandate and the Parliamentary Party leader Pir Mazharul Haq declared that there would be no forward block in the PPP.

Sources said that the members who attended the meeting expressed concern and Makhdoom Jameel, son of Makhdoom Amin Fahim, also rejected the reports about formation of forward bloc in the party.

Sources said that Pir Mazharul Haq declared in a confident tone at the meeting that PPP had a mandate as majority party and party would not sit in opposition at any cost. “Tuesday’s meeting exposed all speculations and rumors about formation of any forward bloc in the party. Eighty-two members out of 92 (90 PPP and two ANP) attended Monday’s meeting. Two MPAs were ill, one was busy in his village, one was engaged in Chehlum of his relative while Dr Zulfiqar Mirza was busy with Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad,” they said. Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Nisar Khuhro were in Islamabad too.

Pir Mazhar requested the media to avoid creating any wrong impressions if members could not attend any meeting due to any reason. “Our members are united as a rock and the party would form a strong government,” he said and added “Members had been elected due to the sacrifices of the late Benazir Bhutto. It was mandate of party and members must pay respect of this mandate.”

Expressing concern over the delay in the convening the assembly session, he demanded of the caretaker chief minister and Sindh governor to convene the provincial assembly session, as there was no constitutional bar. He said under the rules it was the responsibility of the Sindh governor to consult with the President for the session date and convene the session.

The PPP leader said that the party already constituted a committee for preparation of budget proposal and nominated Murad Ali Shah and Shazia Marri as committee members for this task. He said a legal committee was also constituted with Pir Mazhar, Ayaz Soomro, Ghulam Mujadid Isran, Shama Mithani, Sassi Palijo, Farheen Mughal, Najamuddin Abro, Rafiq Engineer Begum Nargis ND Khan and Ziauddin, Advocate, nominated for this committee.

‘No forward bloc in People’s Party’

 

[mujahideen]

Zardari, Nawaz display rare bonhomie

By Muhammad Anis

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and PML-N Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to bring democracy back on the rails, saying that the world today has witnessed “end of dictatorial rule in Pakistan”.

The two top leaders of the upcoming coalition government made these remarks while chairing a joint parliamentary meeting of the PPP, the PML-N, the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) along with Asfandyar Wali and Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Asif Zardari entered the corridors of the Parliament House after a lapse of nearly 11 years while Nawaz Sharif after eight years and five months. “Pervez Musharraf tried to keep me out of the country but today I am not only in Pakistan but also in the Parliament House,” Nawaz Sharif soon after reaching the Parliament House said.

On arrival, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Raza Rabbani received both the leaders separately and escorted them to his chamber. Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari held about 30-minute long talks with Asfandyar Wali before the start of parliamentary parties’ meeting. Later, Maulana Fazlur Rehman also joined them. Nearly 200 members of the National Assembly from four coalition parties attended the meeting that lasted less than an hour.

Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari, during their speeches, recalled the services of Benazir Bhutto for the cause of democracy. “We feel grieved without Benazir Bhutto and miss her for she rendered great services to democracy,” they said.

Asif Zardari said they would take forward the mission of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed which is strengthening of democracy and end of dictatorship in the country. Nawaz Sharif said that the caretaker regime had passed on all the problems to the winning parties but the power transfer process was “yet to be initiated”.

“The caretaker set-up which is a continuation of the previous government has passed on issues like price hike, law and order and other ills to the winning parties. But still they are holding the power with them and the process of transition of power is yet to start,” said the two-time prime minister.

The PML-N Quaid said they would wholeheartedly support the PPP in the formation of government. Later talking to newsmen, Nawaz Sharif reassured the media that the new government would fulfill the promises made to the nation.

Asked whether he would reiterate his promise for the restoration of the judiciary, Nawaz Sharif said, “We have promised to restore the judiciary and a promise to be fulfilled is made only once.”

To a question whether the PPP and the PML-N had decided their nominee for the slot of prime minister, Nawaz Sharif said, “Asif Zardari is my prime minister.” Reciprocating the goodwill gesture of the PML-N leader, Asif Zardari repeated the same words, saying, “And my prime minister is Mian Nawaz Sharif.”

PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari in his brief chat said that the world had witnessed the end of dictatorial rule in Pakistan. He said the days of dictatorship are over and we, with the support and help of the people of Pakistan, have ensured that democracy is put on track. “For this very act, we are thankful to the masses who voted us into power,” he said.

Zardari expressed the hope that the future government would take steps so that “democracy is strengthened in the country in the minimum time limit”. “Today’s session of the National Assembly is the first step towards putting democracy on the right track,” Zardari pointed out.

Zardari, Nawaz display rare bonhomie

 

[mujahideen]

We will gain two-thirds majority in Senate: Nawaz

By Muhammad Ahmad Noorani

ISLAMABAD: We've got a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and will gain the same in the Senate within next few days, PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif was quoted as telling participants of the joint parliamentary meeting of the coalition partners here on Monday. Senior PPP leader Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar told this correspondent by phone that Nawaz Sharif during the meeting told MPs that they would get a two-thirds majority in Senate in a day or two.

"Nawaz told the meeting which held in the committee room No 2, that the nation was passing through a difficult time and we, the elected representatives, are responsible to steer the nation out of troubles," Ahmad Mukhtar said.

PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari also attended the meeting. Haji Fazal Karim, PML-N MNA from Faisalabad, told The News that during the parliamentary meeting Nawaz Sharif told MPs that though elected on different party tickets they are all united and will work together to get rid of dictatorship and serve the poor people of Pakistan.

We will gain two-thirds majority in Senate: Nawaz

 

[mujahideen]

Asif, Nawaz vow to eradicate last vestiges of dictatorship

By Ahmed Hassan

ISLAMABAD, March 17: Leaders of the parties forming a coalition government at centre — Asif Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Asfandyar Wali and Maulana Fazlur Rahman — pledged on Monday to work together for the supremacy of parliament, restoration of the Constitution and eradication of the last vestiges of dictatorship.

Addressing a meeting of legislators of the parties at the Parliament House, they said they were determined to overcome all hurdles in the way of establishing a genuine democratic system.

The legislators of the combined opposition comprising PML-Q, MQM and other parties also held a meeting before taking oath in the National Assembly.

The meeting decided to nominate Israrullah Tareen from Balochistan as opposition’s candidate for the post of speaker and Khushbakht Shujaat of the MQM for deputy speaker.

PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif in their speeches at the meeting of the new ruling coalition said the government would work in harmony to put the country on road to progress.

They arrived at the parliament house in processions and were received by the leader of opposition in Senate, Mian Raza Rabbani. Facing a large number of media personnel, both the leaders were non-committal about their prime ministerial candidate.

When pressed by the media, Mr Zardari smiled and said: “My prime minister will be Mian Saheb.” And Mr Sharif responded by saying: “I would like Asif Zardari to become the premier.”

Addressing the meeting, Mr Zardari said: “We will together eliminate all signs of dictatorship from the country.” He said “This is the last day of dictatorship as we take the first step towards undiluted democracy.”

Mr Sharif said: “You all belong to my party. I see no division on the mission to bring real democracy to the country.”

The participants were briefed by senior parliamentarians on what was expected of them in the assembly.

PPP’s senior vice-chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim in interviews with the media kept his cool while answering questions about the nomination of prime minister’s candidate.

When asked if his candidature for the post had been opposed by the PML-N leadership, he said: “I cannot believe unless I hear them say it.” He appeared to have been perturbed by some derogatory words written about himself in banners put up outside the Parliament House, and said: “The party has taken note of it.”

Makhdoom Amin said parliament was a sovereign institution which needed to be strengthened and enabled to take decisions of national importance. He hoped that a decision on the issue of prime minister would be taken in a couple of days.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s parliamentary leader Dr Farooq Sattar claimed that the prime minister in 2013 would be from his party. On arrival at the parliament house, Mr Sattar said: “This is the rehearsal for next elections. The prime minister in 2013 will be from the Muttahida,” he said.

“We will not just thump desks nor will we create hurdles for the government,” Mr Sattar said. According to him, MQM’s popular vote had increased from 6 per cent to 9 per cent.

In what appeared to be a surprising development, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao distanced himself from the pro-Musharraf opposition, saying that his party had nothing to do with the PML-Q during the elections.

After the swearing-in ceremony in the National Assembly, Mr Sherpao told the media that his party would not align itself with any opposition alliance.

PML-N information secretary Ahsan Iqbal said: “The presence of Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari in the Parliament House today reflected the verdict of the people who want them to govern the country together.”

He said it had happened despite President Pervaiz Musharraf’s concerted efforts of eight years to eliminate the two popular parties from the national scene.

Asif, Nawaz vow to eradicate last vestiges of dictatorship -DAWN - Top Stories; March 18, 2008

 

[mujahideen]

Parties agree on power-sharing formula

NAVEED BUTT

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Peoples Party along with other coalition partners in a meeting on Tuesday have almost agreed on the power sharing formula among the coalition partners in the Federal Cabinet and have also finalized the portfolios to be allocated to them.
The representatives from all the coalition partners including PPP, PML (N), ANP and JUI (F) attended the Tuesday meeting and had detailed deliberations on the induction in the Federal Cabinet in the first phase.
A reliable source told The Nation on Tuesday that two Ministries including a full-fledged main Ministry and a State Ministry were likely to be given to ANP and JUI-F each.
Ministry of Water and Power would likely be given to the ANP while the Ministry of Religious Affairs would go to the JUI-F, the sources revealed.
It was further informed that the portfolios of Finance, Law, Education, Interior and Petroleum would be given to the PPP along with a few other Ministries about which the decision would be made later on.
Sources said that Information, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas would go to the PML (N) and in the second and the third phases of the induction in the Federal Cabinet some more Ministries would be doled out to them.
The sources said that portfolio of Finance would be given to Syed Naveed Qamar, while Farooq H Niak was likely to be made Law Minister. Similarly, the Ministry of Petroleum would likely be given to Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi in case he was dropped out from the race of Premier.
The sources revealed that PML-N Information Secretary Chaudhry Ahsan Iqbal was likely to be made Information Minister.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

88pc favour PPP-PML-N coalition govt, says survey

Our staff reporter

ISLAMABAD - Gallup Pakistan’s recent poll released here on Tuesday reveals that 88 per cent of Pakistanis favour PPP-PML-N Alliance.
The survey says after the election of parliamentary leaders, there is remarkably high support for national reconciliation in the country. Nationwide polls conducted by Gallup Pakistan a week ahead of the first National Assembly session reveals the Pakistan People’s Party enjoys public support for its policy of having alliance with its previous rival, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) led by Nawaz Sharif.
“Eighty Eight percent of the respondents in the countrywide poll favoured a PPP-PML-N alliance in the newly elected National Assembly as opposed to only eighteen per cent who favored a PPP-PML-Q alliance”, the Gallup Pakistan poll discloses.
The findings are based on a survey carried out among a nationally representative sample of men and women in the rural and urban areas of all four provinces in Pakistan, comprising a cross-section of all age, income and socio-economic groups. The sample size was 1416 and the fieldwork was carried out during March 9-10, 2008. The survey was conducted face-to-face and the error margin for a survey of this kind is approximately 3-5 per cent at 95 per cent confidence level.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

Coalition agrees on power-sharing formula at Centre

* PML-N leader says cabinet to induct 20 members initially
* Zardari, Nawaz to decide distribution of key ministries

By Muhammad Bilal

ISLAMABAD: The coalition partners forming the next government claimed on Tuesday that they had finally agreed on a unanimous power-sharing formula based on their proportionate strength in both houses of parliament.

However, the incoming prime minister would announce the portfolios after consultations with the heads of the coalition parties, which include the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Awami National Party (ANP), and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

Senior leaders of the coalition parties, after a joint meeting, said there was a complete unanimity of views on all issues regarding the formation of the next government.

“Today, we announce that the formula has been agreed unanimously. The composition of the cabinet would be based on the strength of the parties in the National Assembly and the Senate,” PML-N leader Nisar Ali Khan told reporters.

Initial induction: He said that around 20 members would be inducted in the first phase of the cabinet formation and its size would be reduced as compared to the previous cabinet headed by former prime minister Shaukat Aziz.

He said the prime minister would decide on the distribution of key ministries such as Foreign Affairs and Finance, adding that the opposition parties would be offered top slots in the legislature’s standing committees, which the “previous government had ignored”.

He said the PPP had assured the PML-N of restoring the sacked judges within one month of the formation of the new government.

Opposition Leader in the Senate Raza Rabbani told reporters that the incoming government would form all constitutional institutions, including the National Finance Commission (NFC) and the Council of Common Interest (CCI).

However, he said that it would be premature to say whether the NFC award would be announced ahead of the federal budget.

Key ministries: Sources said the coalition partners were yet to decide on who would head the key ministries.

They said that both the PPP and the PML-N wanted these ministries, and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif would decide the issue.

Sources said the JUI-F delegation insisted that the power-sharing formula be based on the parties’ strength in both houses, as there are 16 members of the JUI-F in the Senate.

Sources said the cabinet would be announced in two or three phases. About the cabinet’s composition, they said that it would include 10 members of the PPP, eight of the PML-N, and one each from the JUI-F and the ANP. The approximate total strength of the cabinet would be 45 members.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

MQM to cooperate with new govt: Altaf

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain said his party is ready for negotiations with all the political parties; but it does not mean that MQM will beg for it. Addressing MQM workers in 25 locations including Azizabad Lal Kila Ground by phone on the occasion of 24th foundation day of MQM, Altaf Hussain said, ‘Congratulations to Asif Zardari for forming government and entering alliance with Muslim League-N; MQM would extend its cooperation to the government despite all the opposition and would offer no obstruction in government’s functioning. Alaf Hussain said before assuming power, the parties claiming to have bagged majority vote, started decrying that they received a blood-soaked Pakistan, a Pakistan that is tamped down under juggernaut of dearness and economically bankrupt country. It clearly makes their intentions conspicuous that they are poised to do nothing for the people and just like their past, they will loot the national resources for their families, he maintained. MQM chief warned his party workers that riots are being planned for Karachi, for which arms and ammunitions are being distributed; but the voice of Muttahida and its workers cannot be gagged through violence. Altaf Hussain observed, ‘I want to tell those who are playing to the tune of conspirators or themselves hatching conspiracies to suppress MQM and its workers that this is 2008 not 1992. MQM chief said N-League commences with N, accordingly, they keep saying, ‘No, No.’ He continued to say the message of Muttahida for the elimination of the feudal system and attainment of the rights for the oppressed would keep disseminating despite ‘No, no of the No League.’

Courtesy Geo

 

[mujahideen]

Formula envisages 40-strong cabinet

By Ahmed Hassan

ISLAMABAD, March 18: The partners in the coming coalition government — the PPP, PML-N, ANP and JUI-F — on Tuesday worked out a formula for power-sharing but left the crucial details, like the number of ministers and distribution of portfolios, to the new prime minister.

A meeting of the consultation committee of the four parties held at the Parliament House also decided to consider the numerical strength of the coalition partners in the Senate.

Under the agreed formula, the PPP will get 20 ministries and the PML-N 15 on basis of their numerical strength in the National Assembly. Two ministries will go to the ANP and one to the JUI-F. The JUI-F will get an additional ministry because of its larger number of seats in Senate.

The meeting was attended by Mian Raza Rabbani, Sherry Rahman, Raja Parvaiz Ashraf, Khurshid Shah and Naveed Qamar from the PPP, Ishaq Dar, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Khawaja Asif from the PML-N, Zahid Khan and M. Hashim from the ANP and Akram Durrani, Senator Talha Mehmood and Senator Rahmatullah Kakar from the JUI-F.

Mr Rabbani told reporters after the meeting that the formula had been worked out on basis of one ministry for every six MNAs. The strength in Senate was also given weightage, he added.

He said the committee had decided that the new cabinet should not be as large the previous one. However, it would be up to the prime minister to decide about the exact strength of the cabinet.

Mr Rabbani said the coalition partners were determined to resolve all constitutional issues, including the NFC award, Pemra ordinance and Wage Board award for journalists, on a priority basis.

He said that at present the coalition partners lacked majority in the Senate. “We will have to wait for a two-thirds majority for making any amendment to the Constitution.”

He said it had been decided that the coalition government would take up all matters strictly in accordance with the Charter of Democracy. He expressed the hope that the next parliamentary affairs minister would try to develop consensus in both the houses of parliament to achieve the objective of making necessary amendments to the Constitution.

PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the new government would abide by provisions of the Charter of Democracy.

Zahid Khan of the ANP and Akram Durrani of the JUI-F expressed satisfaction over the proceedings of the committee which had finalised recommendations for distribution of ministries among the coalition parties.

PPP parliamentary secretary Izhar Amrohi said that Fata legislators had extended their cooperation to the coalition without any condition and their inclusion in the cabinet or advisory posts for them would be decided by the prime minister.

Formula envisages 40-strong cabinet -DAWN - Top Stories; March 19, 2008

 

[mujahideen]

Shahbaz 'no' to 'Q' forward bloc meeting

OUR STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE - Pakistan Muslim League-N President Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday excused to attend an important meeting of the PML-Q forward block in Punjab.
The sources revealed that MPA-elect Najaf Abbas Syal, purported spokesman of the forward block invited Shahbaz Sharif to attend the meeting.
He was also expected to chair the meeting. But Shahbaz Sharif tendered his apology to attend the meeting. Shahbaz was also expected to go Jaddah with family on Wednesday but he changed the schedule and decided to stay in the country due to unavoidable reasons.
The Punjab Assembly members-elect from Jhang had initiated this forward block. They were set to meet other like-minded parliamentarians-elect to woo their formal support to Shahbaz Sharif in the meeting.
The PML-N insiders said that the group was in contact with other lawmakers-elect and that they wanted the continuity of development in their respective areas.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

Sherry gets Information and Broadcasting: PPP

IRFAN BUKHARI

ISLAMABAD - Well-informed sources within Peoples Party Wednesday told The Nation that the party had decided to give the portfolio of Information and Broadcasting to Sherry Rehman who was currently working as Central Media Secretary of PPPP.
Sherry Rehman has been re-elected as an MNA from Sindh on the list for reserved seats for women. Sherry is currently working as Central Information Secretary as well as President of Policy Planning for the Pakistan Peoples Party. Shehrbano “Sherry” Rehman studied art, history and politics at Smith College and the University of Sussex. Sherry Rehman has been a senior journalist for twenty years. She served as the editor of Pakistan’s prestigious newsmagazine, Herald, for ten years.
As President of Policy Planning for the PPP, Rehman is responsible for co-coordinating and drafting the talking points for the party, for formulating formal party strategy papers on diverse subjects and for shorter current position papers for the leadership. She also headed the team that prepared the PPP Manifesto for the 2008 elections.
During her over half-a-decade association with the Pakistan Peoples Party, Rehman has braved arrests as well as illegal confinement by security agencies on several occasions. She faced arrest on April 16, 2005 when the party was under fire in Lahore as it was preparing for the arrival of Senator Asif Zardari. She was also kept under illegal confinement, along with Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, in Lahore at the residence of Senator Latif Khosa, in Nov 2007.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

PML-F supports independent, strong judiciary, says Tareen

ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Jahangir Khan Tareen on Wednesday said the Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) fully supported an independent and strong judiciary that could better protect the rights of the common man.

Talking to the media persons at the Parliament House, he said his party would move ahead with the PML-Q on issue-to-issue basis and take decisions in the best national interest.

To a question, he said there was a need to adopt appropriate policies to resolve issues of serious nature and "we must learn a lesson from the past experiences".

"We fully respect the public mandate given in the February 18 general elections and want to see the newly-elected National Assembly move in the right direction," he said.

Former chief minister Punjab Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, while speaking on the occasion, said President Musharraf wanted to have the best working relationship with the upcoming government. He said the president had conveyed best wishes to the newly-elected National Assembly.

PML-F supports independent, strong judiciary, says Tareen

 

[mujahideen]

Fazl decides to sit on opposition benches in NWFP

PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Thursday said his party has decided in principle to sit on the opposition benches in NWFP assembly. Addressing the journalists here, he said Pakistan People’s Party solicited me for advice over candidate for the premiership, adding, ‘However, I told them this is the internal matter of their party.’ Maulana Fazl said that his party decided in principle to sit on the opposition benches in NWFP assembly. Reacting to a question, JUI-F chief said the troubles of tribal areas may be addressed through negotiations and jirga system, adding, ‘If the government courts my help in this regard, I will extend my cooperation to every length possible.’ Maulana Fazlur Rehman said he used his vote for elections of speaker at NA floor. Maulana Fazl said his party would side with the large parties over the issue of restoration of the deposed judges, adding his party supports the free judiciary in the country. JUI-F chief said the matter regarding the restoration of judges is legal and constitutional in nature; however, every side will have to show flexibility in case the whole matter lands in blind alley. The negotiations with other coalition partners are in progress, he added.

Courtesy Geo

 

[mujahideen]

Asif vows to reverse ‘oppressive policies’

By Masood Haider

NEW YORK, March 19: The co-chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party, Asif Ali Zardari, said on Wednesday that his party and its allies would try to reverse the “current regime’s suppression of civil society and free speech”.

He promised to work with all political parties for the good of the nation.

In a commentary written for CNN after the National Assembly’s inaugural session on Monday, Mr Zardari observed that the Pakistan Army’s “misperception of itself as the country’s only viable institution, and its deep-rooted suspicion of the civil political process” had hampered the growth of democracy.

“Pakistan’s democracy has not evolved over the past 60 years because the generals believed they should intervene in politics and run the country.”

On media restrictions, Mr Zardari said “we will establish a ‘press complaints commission’ similar to that of the United Kingdom and stand up for the democratic rights of citizens to freely establish television and radio stations, subject to the basic legal framework”.

In an emotional tribute to Ms Benazir Bhutto, he said she sacrificed her life for her beliefs and her country. “This was the day of her triumph, the vindication of her long battle for the restoration of democracy. For my country this was a day of celebration.

“But for me and our children, this day is also a day of tears. Democracy has come to Pakistan, but at a terrible, terrible price.”

Asif vows to reverse ‘oppressive policies’ -DAWN - Top Stories; March 20, 2008