Pakistan's new balance of power

[mujahideen]

PPP-S to support PPP in NWFP

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao (PPP-S) has announced its “unconditional support” to the PPP in the NWFP. Talking to Daily Times, PPP-S Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao confirmed his party members’ meeting with PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad on Wednesday. He cited provincial autonomy the reason for his support. A group of three PPP-S members-elect, along with six independent MPAs, met Zardari and assured him of their support in the NWFP. Sources said ‘high-level’ efforts were underway to bring back seceded PPP leaders such as Sherpao and Aneesa Zeb. However, Sherpao ruled out any such efforts. daud khattak

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

Seven FATA MNAs to support PPP

ISLAMABAD: Seven MNAs-elect from FATA on Wednesday promised to support the PPP in the post-election setup. The members-elect pledged their support in a meeting with PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari at the Parliament Lodges. Nurul Haq Qadri and Hamidullah Khan Afridi of Khyber Agency; Munir Orakzai and Jawad Hussain of Orakzai Agency; Malik Bilal Rahman of Momand Agency; Shaukatullah Khan of Bajaur Agency; and Zafar Baig Bhittani of the Frontier Region pledged their support. Zardari thanked the MNAs-elect for their support, saying the party would give top priority to establishing peace and security in the Tribal Areas.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

PPP, PML-N, ANP muster up 171 MNAs-elect: For now or forever?

* Zardari discourages politics of revenge
* Nawaz demands Musharraf’s resignation, while Zardari remains mum
* Nawaz demands ‘not even a single day’ delay in convening NA session

By Zulfiqar Ghuman

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – met at a luncheon on Wednesday to demonstrate their parliamentary strength on Wednesday.

The joint meeting hosted by Zardari was attended by 171 MNAs-elect. Zardari, Nawaz and Wali reiterated their pledge to work together for the supremacy of parliament, the independence of judiciary and the rule of law on the occasion.

PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari was quoted as saying that the new government would work towards changing the system and not personal revenge. PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, meanwhile, said, “[President Pervez] Musharraf should resign immediately.” ANP President Asfandyar Wali was quoted by APP as saying that compromise could be used to resolve issues, but “principles should not be sacrificed”.

Speaking on the occasion, Zardari termed the gathering an historic occasion that would prove to be the beginning of the end of the crises currently plaguing the country. “We do not [seek to] equate with our great leader (Benazir Bhutto) because she was above all. We talk of system change (sic) because we believe democracy is the best revenge,” he said.

He said the unity of the three parties conveyed a message of strength. “The message is that we will serve this nation and brave the challenges faced by the country together. This country came into existence as a result of the power of ballot and we will take it out of crises with the same power,” he said.

Resign immediately: Addressing the members-elect, Nawaz said, “It should be clear that we are going back to the 1973 Constitution and the restoration of the sacked judges. We have close to two-thirds majority; 171 MNAs-elect are present here and the Election Commission of Pakistan has announced 258 results so far.” He said parliament would restore the Constitution to its pre-November 3 position. “Our agenda is very clear. End to dictatorship and restoration of constitution and judiciary is our first priority. We here have only one message for President Musharraf — that he should resign immediately,” he added, however, according to AP, Zardari remained mum on the issue of the president..

No delay: “We are not prepared to wait even a single day” for the convening of the National Assembly after the announcement of the elections results, Nawaz said. He demanded the Election Commission release the election results immediately. “Democracy has to win and the role of military in politics has to be ended once and for all,” he added.

Speaking at the occasion, Asfandyar Wali said no compromise would be made on the party’s principles. He said he would like to reiterate what he had told Nawaz Sharif at the start of his (Nawaz’s) second term of premiership that, “There is a very thin line between diplomacy and indignity (maslehat and beghairati).”

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

'Plane-before-the president' riddle

Thursday, February 28, 2008
By Mian Saifur Rehman

I think we have had enough of 'Who's Who' kind of books and compilations. Now with the changed political scenario in this land of 160 million pygmies, we better compile 'Who's against Who'. Likewise, there is no harm in subsequently trying the reverse version like 'Who's for Who'. Anchorpersons, media people, political activists and agency personnel all those who claim to be 'authority' on the subject of give-and-take or wheeling and dealing can go for this innovation. The political field is already ripe for such a launch. Take for instance, the Musharraf-Nawaz Sharif differences. One is reminded of the plane allegory (not the Plato's cave allegory). It is a cart-before-the-horse situation. Factually speaking, however, it is a 'plane-before-the president' situation. Who is angry with whom: Whether plane episode came first or whether bitterness surfaced earlier resulting in the plane adventure (read misadventure), it still remains an unsolved mystery.

In fact ours is a land of unsolved mysteries. It probably owes to our belief that no one knows which 'Adaa' of ours may please the 'powers above'. Now this is quite a strange concept in itself. Some say that 'powers above' mean the Lord Almighty. Others like me who hail from the ignorant lot, describe 'powers above' in this particular context as the people at the helm of affairs. Well, whatever the reality, the 'Adaa' concept is not without substance. After all, for practical purposes it forms the axis of success. I've rather started believing quite too firmly that anyone who rises to the zenith is blessed with that appealing, pleasing 'Adaa' which is the mother of all talents. I was just oblivious about this whole thing till the sad demise of Asif Ashraf, the PML-N provincial assembly candidate who was killed a day or two before general election 2008. He was, as far as I knew him through common friends, a man of my ilk, I mean ordinary and worldly. But that he finally got elevated to a martyr's position. It appears to be the outcome of the same 'Adaa' factor.

Now how to describe this 'phenomenon' in English. Well, I have tried my utmost to find an English equivalent to this word 'Adaa' but I couldn't succeed. I have therefore, deemed it advisable to explain this 'phenomenon' as a combination of factors like 'trait and gait' and 'gesture and posture'.

I guess this 'trait and gait' factor did work behind the scene to return some parties and politicians to majority positions in the legislatures otherwise Ch. Pervaiz Elahi had worked and worked incessantly to woo the voters. His election slogan has rather been claiming that they have worked practically instead of merely raising slogans or making promises.

Well, let's not make it a mystery again. Let's try to simplify the things since the mandate has come. The best, honourable way is to bow before the public will and start the work. But I think the irritants will have to be removed before 'smooth sailing'

I am sure once the 'plane-before-the-president' riddle is resolved amicably, the country can once again embark on the track of stable and lasting peace and prosperity now that the major players and the captain (President Pervez Musharraf) have come on the stage with a rich background of practical politicking and governance, albeit with their own sets of methods and directions.

Of course, the time has come for all of us to untangle the unsolved mysteries and riddles. What has perturbed me for years is yet another controversy, that of 'empowerment'. Some people with a simplistic bent are found engaged in lengthy, complex debates over this issue. The usual focus is on 'empowerment of judiciary' and 'empowerment of people'. Visualizing the future scenario emerging out of these 'empowerments' within the existing conditions, one can expect litigations extending beyond grandchildren's lifetime, staying of even the simplest human wishes and capture of poor people's lands and houses by armed guards of 'empowered' politicians. For God's sake, don't dream about that empowerment. Instead, seek enlightenment. Please stop this empowerment game. We have had enough of power. It's about time we start thinking in terms of humanity that would give power to the masses, not the politicians or some office-holders of any organ of the state. People at the grass root have suffered at the hands of empowered politicians and functionaries.

And I think we also start reviewing our talk (rather loose talk) for the sake of fashion. Some intelligent people have questioned my opinion that most of us talk for the sake of fashion (i.e without conviction). I can just quote one example to elaborate my point of view. And that is about the loose talk about suicide bombings. Prior to general election, it was stated (out of fashion) that such and such suicide attack or remote control explosion was done at the behest of agencies or the establishment or even the incumbent head of state. For what purpose? The answer usually given was for elections postponement. But in reality, the elections were not postponed inordinately.

Similarly, a large number of people talk about some sad occurrences like Lal Masjid episode and tribal insurgency without knowledge. In this area, we must abandon 'talk for fashion' and instead lend support to soldiers whose lives and peace of mind are at stake because they want to bring people of tribal areas at par with 90 per cent of other hapless, shackled Pakistanis obeying Pakistani laws, paying customs duties, taxes and utility bills and avoiding gun-and-drug-trafficking or harbouring of proclaimed offenders connected with arms-supplying foreigners pursuing anti-Pakistan (and of course anti-Islam agenda).

'Plane-before-the president' riddle

 

[mujahideen]

PPP, PML-N, ANP show their strength

Gather 171 MNAs-elect; coalition leaders vow to restore judiciary, ’73 Constitution; demand immediate convening of NA session

By Asim Yasin

ISLAMABAD: In a show of strength in which 171 members of the newly-elected National Assembly participated here on Wednesday, the three major parties – Pakistan People’s Party, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Awami National Party – announced to wage a joint struggle for an end to dictatorship, restoration of the 1973 Constitution and judiciary, and elimination of Army’s role from politics.

They demanded that the session of the assembly be convened immediately. A luncheon meeting organised by PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in honour of the newly-elected members was also attended by PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif, ANP President Asfandyar Wali, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and others.

“We have shown our strength here with the presence of 171 members and now it is time to wage a joint campaign to restore the pre-November 3 judiciary, eliminate the role of Army from politics and return to the 1973 Constitution in letter and spirit. Today, we have proven near two-thirds majority in the National Assembly,” announced Nawaz Sharif while addressing the meeting.

During their speeches, all the three leaders paid glowing tributes to Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for her struggle and sacrifice for the cause of democracy. In his welcome speech, Asif Ali Zardari said that the country was passing through a critical phase and the democratic forces should come forward and help consolidate the democracy. “We will continue our struggle for an end to dictatorship and restoration of the democracy,” he announced.

He said his party did not believe in revenge and would work for the promotion of democracy and the rule of law in the country. He asked the coalition partners to jointly shoulder this responsibility and stand by the PPP.

Zardari said Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal had dreamt of transforming Pakistan into a great state. “We are striving to translate it into a reality,” he remarked. He said heavy responsibility rested with Mian Nawaz Sharif and Asfandyar Wali for the revival of the democratic order. “Together, we will pull the country out of the prevailing crisis,” he added.

He said this session opened a new chapter of democracy and hope. “The sacrifice rendered by Benazir Bhutto will be remembered forever and we stand by the Charter of Democracy to realise the mission of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.” He said the best homage to Benazir would be to establish the supremacy of parliament and put an end to the political role of the establishment.

Mian Nawaz Sharif said PPP, PML-N and ANP will cooperate for the restoration of the 1973 Constitution in letter and spirit and will never accept the unconstitutional steps post-November 3, 2007.

Pointing towards the media, he said, “We enjoy the support of 171 members and tell Musharraf to convene the session of the assembly immediately.” He said their agenda envisaged an end to the dictatorship and restoration of the Constitution. “Judiciary is our first priority and we all here have only one message for Musharraf i.e. he should resign immediately,” he added.

“We want to tell Musharraf that we are not prepared to wait for a single day more for the assembly to be convened as we do not want that NAB or ISI should resurrect another Jamali,” he said.

He said, “Time has changed. The situation has changed. Circumstances have changed. The world has changed. It is a good omen for a democratic Pakistan. We are proud of this moment.”

ANP president Asfandyar Wali said no compromise would be made on principles. “The Shahadat of Benazir Bhutto will not go waste and the people have given their verdict on February 18.” He said now it was the responsibility of the elected representatives “to ensure independence of the judiciary, promotion of democracy, supremacy of Parliament and the rule of law in Pakistan”.

Later, Asif Ali Zardari, Mian Nawaz Sharif, Asfandyar Wali along with their party leaders exchanged views on the political situation and the formation of the government Mian Nawaz Sharif and Asfandyar Wali also held one-on-one meeting and exchanged views on different issues with reference to the formation of the government. This was their first formal meeting after the February 18 elections.

PPP, PML-N, ANP show their strength

 

[mujahideen]

National unity government?

Thursday, February 28, 2008
Ikram sehgal

While disasters tend to unite the nation, it is infinitely better that the nation closes ranks before any impending disaster. With world recession looming in our faces, we do not have the economic resilience to cushion the impact. Coupled with shortages of food, fuel and electricity and increase in suicide bombings, only a monumental effort by all and sundry will see the country through a long hot summer. Political confrontation will only complicate matters.

Inheriting a truncated Pakistan on the way to further disintegration in December 1971, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto managed to keep the country together because all the disparate political forces united behind him to see off the crisis. With the JUI-NAP led coalitions in NWFP and Balochistan he bought time and deftly managed to avoid geo-political meltdown, this was political opportunism of the magnificent-kind. A little more than two years later he threw it all away, dismissing the two provincial governments on less than credible trumped-up accusations, and laying the seeds of permanent political turmoil in what was left of Quaid's Pakistan. Even though violence since has taken many faces, economic disparity because of racial inequality remains the major reason.

With all players across the broad political spectrum awash with purpose and goodwill in the first flush of victory over the forces of autocracy, Bhutto's son-in-law Asif Zardari finds himself more or less in a similar position. Will he take the major political risk of cobbling together a national unity government? Even though his potential partners have common cause uniting them against a common foe, as political entities they remain ideologically way apart. With the president dangling the NRO Sword of Damocles over his head, should Zardari take the more pragmatic route of forming the PPP-led coalition governments by including the PML-Q instead of PML-N at the centre? Notwithstanding enormous baggage in the form of lingering corruption charges, Asif Zardari is a courageous man; he was unbending during his long captivity and he bore it with considerable grace and dignity.

While Zardari has reasons, the silence of all politicians (and the electronic media) on the question of the National Reconciliation Ordinance is deafening. It is as if the NRO did not exist. On Tuesday October 19, 2007 I had written: "Blanket amnesty on political grounds is certainly an instrument for national reconciliation but only individual pardons are given for corruption. There is not a single instance in history of blanket amnesty for corruption. If the Supreme Court rules otherwise, it will be a first, and under the doctrine of fantasy! Instead of putting SC to the test of its credibility, one appeals to Pervez Musharraf to revoke the blunder of enacting the NRO and consign this dark and dank document to the dustbin of history. Black is black!".

The consequences on society of lack of accountability have been detailed in an earlier article in September 2005. To quote: "The smugglers of the 50s and 60s are today openly considered some of the pillars of Pakistan's commerce and society, not much separating them from the civil and military personnel who have looted the state's treasury. Contemptuous of the laws of the land they flagrantly flaunt their ill-gotten millions, investing in commerce and industry to make their ill-gotten gains legitimate, some do not even bother to conceal their past. Some are even investing heavily in the print and electronic media. For the ordinary citizen making his (or her) living the hard way, frustrations are at the point of boiling over. The schism could lead to a class war. Hundreds and thousands of retired personnel who earned an honest livelihood and are living in pitiable state on meagre pensions now openly lament their failure to avail the opportunity to make money when they could have. Their virtual penury is a living symbol to our present and future generations that honesty does not pay."

When the masses are subjected to further deprivation the very worse can happen as is very likely to happen in the next few months, to quote from my article of September 29, 2005: "the Naxalite movement in India today is a greater and more potent force to contend with, killing criminals and the corrupt in the judiciary and law enforcement alike, not to mention corrupt bureaucrats, crooked businessmen, anybody amassing inordinate wealth, etc. The fabric binding society is the belief that those that are supposed to uphold the law will do so, if one has reason to fear them violating the laws of the land then the very basis of civilization fails, and will force those seeking justice to take the law into their own hands. Vigilantes may come from law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and/or from the public".

There are other contributory reasons in the PPP's pursuit of political expediency, the first and foremost reason being that the PML-N's ambiguous stance in the "war against terrorism". While the "war against terrorism" may be a US-crafted phrase, it is a dire necessity for Pakistan. In a relentless fight to root out terrorism from our midst, there can be no appeasement of those who are engaged in mindless violence ripping apart our social fabric both literally and symbolically. The poverty in our masses and the lack of education is fertile ground for exploitation. Our Jehadi militants are exploiting this frustration to the hilt by giving it religious connotations. Can one even begin to decipher the callous mindset of those who launch others on suicide bombing missions? While the aim is certainly to spread fear and anarchy, the proliferation of incidents is alarming. Mian Sahib must come up with a clear statement of intention; one has yet to be convinced he is committed to fighting this prime menace to the state and society as we know it.

When Mian Nawaz Sharif's says that the army should not get involved with politics in the country he is quite right, the army has no business being involved with either politics -- or for that matter, business. So in the same manner, the politicians have no business interfering in the inner working of the military, showering them with gifts, favours and praises for their own selfish motivated purpose. Given his history of confrontation with army chiefs, his stance towards the army must remain a matter of ambiguity. In such circumstances including Sharifs in the centre (even though Shahbaz Sharif is far more amenable and acceptable) will require deft political footwork. One feels Zardari will take the middle ground of risking 1988 all over, a PPP-led coalition without the PML-N of a federal level, conceding Punjab to the PML-N despite the bitterness of the PPP activists in the province.

All our leaders must render themselves accountable in all senses of the word to the people who have voted them into power in good faith. Whatever may be Zardari's motives, we must take them on face value as being Pakistan-specific. While political initiatives must go hand in hand with military ones to root out the menace of terrorism, this country badly needs a united stand to meet serious economic challenges looming in the near future. That is only possible by having a national unity government.

The writer is a defence and political analyst. Email: isehgal@pathfinder9.com

 

[mujahideen]

PPP sets terms for coalition with MQM

KARACHI: The PPP will welcome the MQM in a PPP-led coalition if the MQM backs it on a repeal of Article 58 (2) (b) and a UN-led inquiry into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. “This is our principled stand, and any parliamentary group that supports it, shall be welcomed,” said a newly selected MPA from Dadu, Murad Shah while talking to Daily Times. Answering a question, he said that the PPP respects the MQM mandate which is why it has decided to talk to the MQM to develop national reconciliation. “The PPP believes in a system of checks and balances but the assemblies should be made supreme in order to ensure these checks and balances,” he said. He said that neither the provincial assembly nor the PPP was allowed to play their full role in the tenure of the last government, in which the MQM was a leading partner. The PPP will not repeat the mistakes of the former ruling coalition, he added. PPP provincial general secretary and talks committee member Nafees Siddiqui reached Karachi from Islamabad Wednesday evening. “We may meet the MQM’s leaders on Thursday. It is not final but it is likely,” he said. PPP provincial president Qaim Ali Shah and former president Lahore chapter Mian Misbah Ur Rehman are the other two members of the committee on talks with the MQM. MQM workers have opposed a partnership in the ruling coalition and the PPP members want an agreement based on strict principles alone, before offering the MQM a part in the government. irfan ali

Courtesy Daily Times

 

[mujahideen]

Removal of 58-2 (B) to cause crisis, warns Shujaat

ISLAMABAD: President of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said that removal of Article 58-2 (B) from constitution would cause crisis in the country. Talking to media here, Shujaat made it clear that his party would play a positive role while sitting in opposition and would avoid stage walkouts and creating rumpus in the parliament. He said that senators and parliament members should play constructive role in the parliament. Replying to a question, Shujaat said that he wants good governance in the country, “If new government attempt to eliminate the article 58-2 (B), it would cause crisis in the country”. PML-Q chief said that talks are underway with allies and we would sit collectively on opposition benches.

Courtesy Geo

 

[mujahideen]

Election results are bad for Musharraf: Robert Gates

NEW DELHI: The US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said that the polls results had been bad for Mr Musharraf but the people of Pakistan have to decide his future role. Gates in an interview to British news channel said the US hoped to continue working with Musharraf he described as the elected president of Pakistan. Speaking in Delhi, he said, “We will back democratically elected leaders in Pakistan and work with both the president and the new prime minister.” Mr Gates said the previous administration's efforts to negotiate with the militants had not worked out. "Even the Musharraf government tried talking and doing deals in Waziristan. That didn't work out very well," he said. "Maybe this new government in Pakistan will have to go through the same experience itself."

Courtesy Geo

 

[mujahideen]

Mushahid vows to support motion against Article 58 (2b)

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed has said he will back any move by the PML-Nawaz and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) against presidential powers to dissolve the assembly. Appearing on Geo News’ talk show Capital Talk, in which PPP Senior Vice Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim and PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali also participated, the PML-Q leader said: “We will extend cooperation to the new government.” Responding to a question on presidential powers to dissolve assemblies under Article 58 (2b), Mushahid Hussain said he would back any move by the PML-N and PPP to curtail these powers. Asked by Chaudhry Nisar if he would support a motion against presidential powers to disband the parliament, Mushahid Hussain said he would. Nisar and Fahim thanked Mushahid for the assurance. app

Courtesy Daily Times

 

[mujahideen]

Mandate of the masses has to be respected: Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf has said the mandate of the masses has to be respected and no one will be allowed to create hurdles in the smooth transition to democracy. Speaking to former Punjab chief minister Mian Manzoor Wattoo on Wednesday, he said the parties that succeeded in the polls would have full freedom to form a government.Many issues were discussed at the meeting, including reasons for the PML-Q’s defeat and the post-poll scenario, sources told Online. Musharraf assured Wattoo he was ready to work with the new government and expressed hope that the parties that form it would work together for the welfare of the country, especially to root out terrorism. After the meeting, Wattoo told reporters he would support the establishment of a national government but would back the it on an issue-to-issue basis. Independent MPs would also lend their support to the government on the same basis, he added. online/staff report

Courtesy Daily Times

 

[mujahideen]

PPP, PML-N, ANP muster up 171 MNAs-elect: For now or forever?

* Zardari discourages politics of revenge
* Nawaz demands Musharraf’s resignation, while Zardari remains mum
* Nawaz demands ‘not even a single day’ delay in convening NA session

By Zulfiqar Ghuman

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – met at a luncheon on Wednesday to demonstrate their parliamentary strength on Wednesday. The joint meeting hosted by Zardari was attended by 171 MNAs-elect. Zardari, Nawaz and Wali reiterated their pledge to work together for the supremacy of parliament, the independence of judiciary and the rule of law on the occasion. PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari was quoted as saying that the new government would work towards changing the system and not personal revenge. PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, meanwhile, said, “[President Pervez] Musharraf should resign immediately.” ANP President Asfandyar Wali was quoted by APP as saying that compromise could be used to resolve issues, but “principles should not be sacrificed”. Speaking on the occasion, Zardari termed the gathering an historic occasion that would prove to be the beginning of the end of the crises currently plaguing the country. “We do not [seek to] equate with our great leader (Benazir Bhutto) because she was above all. We talk of system change (sic) because we believe democracy is the best revenge,” he said. He said the unity of the three parties conveyed a message of strength. “The message is that we will serve this nation and brave the challenges faced by the country together. This country came into existence as a result of the power of ballot and we will take it out of crises with the same power,” he said. Resign immediately: Addressing the members-elect, Nawaz said, “It should be clear that we are going back to the 1973 Constitution and the restoration of the sacked judges. We have close to two-thirds majority; 171 MNAs-elect are present here and the Election Commission of Pakistan has announced 258 results so far.” He said parliament would restore the Constitution to its pre-November 3 position. “Our agenda is very clear. End to dictatorship and restoration of constitution and judiciary is our first priority. We here have only one message for President Musharraf — that he should resign immediately,” he added, however, according to AP, Zardari remained mum on the issue of the president.. No delay: “We are not prepared to wait even a single day” for the convening of the National Assembly after the announcement of the elections results, Nawaz said. He demanded the Election Commission release the election results immediately. “Democracy has to win and the role of military in politics has to be ended once and for all,” he added. Speaking at the occasion, Asfandyar Wali said no compromise would be made on the party’s principles. He said he would like to reiterate what he had told Nawaz Sharif at the start of his (Nawaz’s) second term of premiership that, “There is a very thin line between diplomacy and indignity (maslehat and beghairati).”

Courtesy Daily Times

 

[mujahideen]

Nawaz’s attitude to shorten life of parliament: ex-minister

ISLAMABAD, Feb 27: Former federal minister and leader of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) Ghulam Sarwar Khan on Wednesday said chief of PML-N Mian Nawaz Sharif’s confrontational politics would soon derail democratic process.

Speaking at a news conference here at the Camp Office of Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club, Mr Khan observed that the PML-N would prefer to run Punjab province instead of becoming part of the federal government. In this way it could avoid various controversial issues the central government would face when it formed.

He advised that the country was in a dire need of a national consensus government in order to control the prevailing crisis of oil, price-hike, security, food inflation, wheat, energy and other multiple issues.

Nawaz’s attitude to shorten life of parliament: ex-minister -DAWN - Top Stories; February 28, 2008

 

[mujahideen]

US distances itself from Musharraf

Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON - In an apparent policy shift, the US administration distanced itself from President Pervez Musharraf, saying it is supporting Pakistan’s people as they choose their leaders after last week’s parliamentary elections.
Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, the second-ranking American diplomat, told senators Thursday that US looks forward to working with the new Pakistani leadership. But he made little mention of President Musharraf during his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Negroponte said ‘Pakistan has been indispensable’ to that fight against extremists along the Pak-Afghan border and said the US looks “forward to working with the leaders who emerge” from the formation of a new government.
Senior Bush administration officials, including Negroponte, have previously portrayed Musharraf as an ‘indispensable’ US ally.
When pointedly asked by a lawmaker about whether the US would continue to back Musharraf, Negroponte acknowledged that “Musharraf is still the president of his country, and we look forward to continuing to work with him.”
Republican Senator Dick Lugar, a former chairman of the committee, said the United States should make it clear to Pakistan’s people that US interests “lay not in supporting a particular leader or party, but in democracy, pluralism, stability and the fight against violence.”
Negroponte said Pakistan’s recent elections were a “big step” toward civilian democracy and reflected the will of the voters, despite the deaths of more than 70 people on election day.
“The violence could have been worse,” Negroponte said. “The Pakistani people refused to be intimidated by a wave of murderous terrorist attacks prior to election day.”
Democratic Sen. Joseph Biden, the committee chairman, also urged the administration to move from “a policy focused on a personality, Musharraf, to one based on an entire country.”
Biden proposed that the United States triple non-military aid for schools, roads and clinics and demand accountability in the military aid the US gives Pakistan.
The United States has provided nearly $10 billion in aid to Pakistan since the 9/11 attacks when Musharraf sided with Washington in toppling the Taliban in Afghanistan and hunt down Al-Qaeda militants.
In his testimony, Negroponte also said, “The election outcome proves that moderate pro-democracy parties are the heart of Pakistan’s political system and that religious-based politics have no hold on the voters.”
Replying to a question, he said, “We are going to work with whatever government emerges from this process - we don’t know yet what that government will be - but certainly we look forward to working with that government in every way possible and be supportive.
“We are not in the business of recommending specific alignments, specific coalitions, I think we would as a general proposition urge that moderate political forces work together and of course President Musharraf is still the president of his country, and we look forward to continuing work with him as well.”
Negroponte underlined that “there is a common United States and Pakistani interest in Pakistan’s success in the robust and multi-faceted fight against extremism, focused on democracy and economic development as well as on security cooperation.”
He lauded the will and courage of Pakistani voters and said they refused to be intimidated by a wave of terrorists attacks in the run up to the election day.
Looking ahead, he said “we will continue to support Pakistan’s democratic progress, we will continue to help Pakistan build a better education system, improve governance across the country and offer more economic opportunities to its citizens in impoverished areas.”
Pak-US army officials discuss border security

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

Assembly session after March 5 : Minister

ISLAMABAD, Feb 28 (APP): Caretaker Law Minister Syed Afzal Haider Thursday said that house of the national assembly would be completed by March 5 and the department of Law and Parliamentary Affairs would send a summary to President for calling the session.Talking to PTV in a telephonic interview the Minister said when the process of election is completed the Election Commission notifies the names of elected members.
He said it is expected that notification of the elected members would be made by March 3 adding the ECP will then determine the share of parliamentary parties on reserved seats for women and minorities.

This process will hopefully completed by March 5 and once the house is completed the department of Law and Parliamentary Affairs will send a summary to President for calling of the Assembly’s session.

It will be a two days session wherein on first day the elected members will take oath of their office and on second day the election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker would be held.

The stage for the election of Prime Minister would come when the majority parties in the house will propose the name of their candidate. On receipt of the consensus name of for the slot of Prime Ministership the Department of Law and Parliamentary Affairs will send another summary to the President for calling Assembly’s Session for the election of PM, he said.

After being elected the Prime Minister will take the oath of his office and the tenure of Caretaker government will thus come to an end, the Minister said.

He said the newly elected Prime Minister is bound to take the vote of confidence from house within 60 days of his assuming the charge on the date of his choice.

The Prime Minster after being elected and taking oath of his office will send the list of the cabinet ministers alongwith their portfolios to the President and the structure of government would be completed when the cabinet members take oath of their offices.

To a question he said the text of the oath for assembly members, speaker, deputy speaker and the cabinet members is the same as envisaged in the 1973 constitution.

It exists in schedule 3 of the article 65 and all the members will read it during the oath taking, he said.

There is no question of taking oath under PCO etc, he clarified.

Since 1973 all the assemblies and cabinet members have been taking oath of their office under the same article of the constitution and there is no affect whatsoever of the amendments on this text, he added.

app - Assembly session after March 5 : Minister