Pakistan's new balance of power

[mujahideen]

PPP can work with Musharraf: Mukhtar




By Ashraf Mumtaz

LAHORE, March 2: Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, one of the four PPP hopefuls for the office of prime minister, indicated here on Sunday that his party could work with President Pervez Musharraf, in view of the current crisis-like situation.

“One must be able to work with everyone, be it a political party or the president,” Mr Mukhtar told Dawn.

He said at a time when the country was passing through a crisis-like situation, one should try to create harmony among all people, including the president.

When it was pointed out that his stance appeared to be in conflict with the declared policy of the party, he said that Benazir Bhutto had consistently said that the PPP could have a working relationship with President Musharraf. He said Asif Zardari also had the same opinion.

“If we say we’ll not work with him, the PPP will not be able to form government. This means there will be a stalemate from the word ‘go’.”

A former minister for commerce who defeated PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Husain for a National Assembly seat in Gujrat, Mr Mukhtar said a stalemate would not be in the best national interest and it would affect the flow of foreign investment.

About the reinstatement of deposed judges of superior courts, he said the matter should be decided by parliament as soon as possible.

He said once the matter was referred to parliament it would go to house committees in which all parties would have representation, and no party could challenge a decision taken by the committees.

The PML-N, which would be a coalition partner with the PPP in the future set-up, would have no reservations about the procedure he was proposing to resolve the post-Nov 3 crisis. He said decisions taken by courts in such situations in the past had been validated by parliaments and the situation would not be any different this time around.

PPP can work with Musharraf: Mukhtar -DAWN - Top Stories; March 03, 2008

 

[mujahideen]

PPP nominates Raisani for chief minister’s post

By Saleem Shahid

QUETTA, March 2: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has formally nominated Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani as its candidate for the post of chief minister of Balochistan.

The announcement was made by party leader Syed Khurshid Shah after a meeting held here on Sunday.

The party leadership had set up a committee comprising Syed Khurshid Shah and Mir Ejaz Jhakrani who arrived here on Sunday and held talks with local leaders and elected legislators.

Mr Raisani said that the party had taken the decision after consultations with Mir Sadiq Umrani and other leaders.

He claimed that the PPP enjoyed the support of 31 members of the new Assembly and said that the party would form a coalition government.

“The PPP has the required support to form a coalition government in Balochistan,” Khurshid Shah said, adding that the party would demonstrate its strength before March 4.

Mir Sadiq Umrani welcomed the decision and said: “We accept the party decision.”

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League-Q again failed to chose its parliamentary leader at a meeting held here on Sunday. Different names came under discussion but the newly-elected legislators could not reach a unanimous decision.

PPP nominates Raisani for chief minister’s post -DAWN - Top Stories; March 03, 2008

 

[mujahideen]

PML-Q, MQM agree to continue cooperation

By Azfar-ul-Ashfaque

KARACHI, March 2: Leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Q visited the headquarters of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Sunday and discussed with MQM leaders the overall political situation and agreed to continue their cooperation in the future.

The PML-Q announced that it would have no objection if the MQM became a part of the future government.

When PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, secretary general Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and other leaders arrived at the MQM’s Nine Zero headquarters, they were given a rousing welcome.

During talks with MQM leaders, the party chief Altaf Hussain joined them by phone from London.

A large number of MQM workers, including women, showered the PML-Q delegation with rose petals.

While the MQM is still undecided whether to join the government or sit in the opposition, the MQM chief made it clear that his party would not forget its old friends and the two parties would maintain their close relations.

Mr Hussain said that the MQM would continue working for the solidarity of the country whether it sat in the opposition or joined any coalition government.The PML-Q leadership congratulated the MQM on its victory in the Feb 18 elections.

Talking to newsmen, Chaudhry Shujaat said his party would have no objection if the MQM joined hands with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to form a coalition government for the prosperity and development of the people and in the best interest of the province.

Senator Mushahid Hussain said the PML and its coalition parties, the MQM, PML-F, PPP-Sherpao and National People’s Party (NPP) had jointly secured the highest number of votes in the country and in Sindh.

He said that the PML-Q would play the role of a constructive opposition.

MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said that his party would make new friends but would never forget the old ones.

He said that dialogue among all political parties was necessary to build a national consensus and to steer the country out of crisis.

PML-Q, MQM agree to continue cooperation -DAWN - Top Stories; March 03, 2008

 

[mujahideen]

Majority party free to form govt

our staff reporter

ISLAMABAD - Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Monday called on President Pervez Musharraf at Presidential Camp Office and discussed matters of national importance with him.
Well-placed sources told TheNation that the COAS briefed the President about the overall security situation in the region as well as in the country, especially, the security situation on western borders, war on terror and growing Indian attempts to promote its hegemonic designs in the region.
Kayani also apprised the President about his recent visits to Waziristan and Swat, the new spate of bomb blasts in NWFP and FATA, suspected role of some countries in destabilising the situation in these areas, and the steps being taken by Pakistan Army and security forces to combat terrorism.
Both reviewed the initial report sent by the Interior Ministry regarding the gruesome attacks in Darra Adam Khel and Mingora and strongly condemned these blasts.
President Musharraf said that all-out efforts would be made to eliminate terrorism and extremism from the country. He highly acclaimed the steps taken by Pak Army in FATA and Swat to cope with mounting terrorism and said that Pakistan is safe from any internal or external danger only due to its army. Musharraf lauded the role of the army in ensuring security during the general elections.
President told Kayani that he wants smooth transition to democracy and power in the country and was ready to work with the new government.
Agencies add: The Chief of Army Staff briefed the President about the ongoing operation against terrorism. They also exchanged views on the role of the Pakistan Army in respect to internal security situation.
Online adds: President Musharraf said that war on terror would continue for national interest.
Well-placed Sources told Online that the meeting lasted for quite a while in which host of issues were discussed in length.
President was of the view that whosoever party was in majority was free to form government as it enjoyed the mandate of the masses.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

ANP announces support for PPP govt in Balochistan

* Says it will back PPP ‘whether it forms government or remains in opposition’

By Malik Siraj Akbar

QUETTA: The Awami National Party (ANP) on Monday announced its ‘unconditional support’ to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s efforts to form a new government in Balochistan, whilst differences within the PPP over its chief ministerial candidate continued to reverberate throughout the day here.

The ANP would give the PPP unconditional support because it was being seen as the only party capable of uniting the federation, said ANP’s newly elected provincial assembly member (MPA) Zumruk Khan while addressing a press conference in the presence of key PPP leaders.

The ANP’s support does not necessarily have to be rewarded with ministries or perks, and the party would support the PPP whether it forms the government or remains on opposition benches, Khan added. PPP Balochistan President Lashkar Raisani welcomed the ANP.

ANP’s announcement of support came as timely good news for the PPP as the party faced an embarrassing situation at the same time — one of its senior leaders, Sadiq Umrani, nominated as PPP deputy parliamentary leader in the province, refused to accept the party’s decision.

Keen to be nominated the party’s parliamentary leader, Umrani has vocally opposed Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani’s nomination as the PPP chief ministerial candidate.

A news agency quoted Umrani as saying that Raisani was a ‘controversial’ figure who had disregarded the PPP regulations.

However, PPP provincial leaders refuted the report, saying that Umrani was supporting all the party’s decisions and there were no differences.

When Umrani was asked if he supported Raisani’s nomination, he responded with an emphatic, “no comment,” and walked away.

PPP central leader Syed Khurshid Shah told Daily Times that changing the parliamentary leader now was impossible now.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

Former ruling coalition partners meet today

* Four PML-Q senior vice presidents not invited

By Irfan Ghauri

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has convened the meeting of members of the former ruling coalition today (Tuesday).

Leaders from PML-Q, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao (PPP-S), National People’s Party (NPP) and PML-Functional (PML-F) have been invited to the luncheon meeting.

PML-Q Information Secretary Senator Tariq Azim told Daily Times that the meeting aimed to invite the parties to work together as the opposition in parliament. He said the parties had confirmed their participation.

To a question, he said the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl had not been invited but it could sit with the PML-Q on the opposition benches.

He said the slot of the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly belonged to the opposition party that won the most number of seats.

Senior vice presidents: Party sources told Daily Times that at least three PML-Q senior vice presidents had not been invited to the meeting and one had declined the invitation.

General (r) Majeed Malik has left the party, Mian Manzoor Watto is now leading a group of independents and Hamida Khohro has joined the PML-F. Pir Fazal-e-Aga from Balochistan has declined the invitation. PML-Q has 12 senior vice presidents and six vice presidents.

MQM is negotiating with the PPP for a coalition government in Sindh, NPP and PML-F are keeping their options open in Sindh and Punjab, and the Balochistan National Party led by Sanaullah Zehri is looking for a lead role in any coalition government in Balochistan.

The Chaudhrys of Gujrat are facing an up-hill task of keeping their party intact and taking its former coalition partners along to form an opposition alliance.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

‘PML forward bloc to face references’

* Elahi says PML-Q and Musharraf know how to defend ‘their system’

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) on Monday threatened to file disqualification references against its elected members forming forward blocs in violation of party discipline.

Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, PML-Q parliamentary leader-designate in the National Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said his party would move disqualification references against its members forming forward blocs.

He said President Musharraf was elected for five years and he could keep the office for five years. He said the president’s door were open to all the parties and those objecting to his (Elahi) meetings with the president could also meet him any time.

PML-Q and president: “The president’s morale is high. He does not want to spoil the system, however, if PPP and PML-N tried to spoil it, PML-Q and the president know how to defend themselves,” he said, adding that his party wanted to strengthen the parliamentary system.

He criticized Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif saying that they had learnt no lesson from their 10-year exile and were still pursuing the agenda of confrontation. He said PML-Q would do politics of issues by reminding the winning parties of their promises made to the people.

Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain told reporters that 58-2B was an effective deterrent against the anti-people policies of a government. He said it was a weapon which the masses could use against an un-popular government though their president.

He said his party would form government in Balochistan and forge a grand opposition alliance along with its former coalition partners in the National Assembly. He said important decisions were expected in the former coalition partners meeting on Tuesday (today). He said Q-league would announce its candidate for Balochistan chief minister after convening the session.

To a question, he said PPP and PML-Q had ideological differences due to which the former could not ally with the latter. Answering another question about reunification of PML factions, he said nothing was last word in politics and parties could unite when their goals and ideologies became same.

He criticized Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar’s race for prime minister saying that he had publicly admitted to slapping a presiding officer on the election day. “Such a person should not run for the prestigious office of prime minister,” he added.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

I will work with anyone, president tells COAS

RAWALPINDI: President Pervez Musharraf has told Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani that he respected the people’s verdict and would work with any party that formed the government, sources told Daily Times on Monday. In a meeting at the presidential camp office, the president and the army chief discussed domestic and international politics, security and the ongoing operation against terrorists, they said. “Musharraf repeated his earlier assurance that he would form a working relationship with the future head of the government,” a source said. Sources said discussion on internal politics dominated the meeting. The army chief also briefed the president on the security forces’ efforts to combat internal and external threats, they said. Sources said the president lauded the army for helping maintain peace on the election day. “He praised army for it efforts to create peace in Tribal Areas and Swat,” a source said, adding the army chief and the president also discussed the situation on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

Tariq Azeem quits PML (Q) office

ISLAMABAD: Senator Tariq Azeem has tendered his resignation from the office of central information secretary of Pakistan Muslim League (Q). Talking to Geo News Tariq Azeem Tuesday said he has quit the party office due to the party defeat in general elections and some other factors. He said he has submitted his resignation to the party president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

Courtesy Geo

 

[mujahideen]

PML hopes for grand opposition alliance: Crucial meeting today

By Ahmed Hassan

ISLAMABAD, March 3: Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, brother of PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, and newly elected MNA from Gujrat, has said that a meeting has been convened on Tuesday for consultations about forming a grand opposition alliance comprising the PML-Q and its allies.

He said at a news conference here on Monday that Chaudhry Shujaat would also make an announcement on Tuesday about formation of the provincial government led by the PML-Q in Balochistan and its candidate for the chief minister’s post.

Mr Hussain said the new opposition would neither create chaos in parliament nor try to pull the government down.

In response to a question he said that Article 58(2)b should remain a part of the Constitution as it would work as a safety valve and the president needed to keep the power of dissolving the assembly if a government was involved in foul practices.

Referring to a statement by PPP’s MNA-elect Ahmed Mukhtar who had defeated his elder brother, Chaudhry Shujaat, the PML-Q leader said: “He does not deserve to be a candidate for prime minister’s post after admitting to have slapped a presiding officer and confessing to have been involved in an incident of firing on his rivals.”

He said Mr Mukhtar had lost election for a provincial assembly seat to a PML-N candidate. He said Chaudhry Shujaat was not the first party chief who had lost an election as former prime minister Mohammad Khan Junejo, Pir Pagara and others had also failed to make it to parliament in the past but they did not resign from their parties’ leadership.

He claimed that the PPP had benefited from a division in the PML vote-bank.

He said the PML-Q had ideological differences with the PPP and it would never join a coalition led by that party. However, it would support any party which formed the government, he said.

He said the PPP was forming its government in Islamabad but its ally PML-N was not joining it.

He supported the demand of holding former prime minister Shaukat Aziz and the caretaker government accountable for any irregularities committed by them.

He said he would welcome his own accountability by PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif on coming into power in Punjab.

PML hopes for grand opposition alliance: Crucial meeting today -DAWN - Top Stories; March 04, 2008

 

[mujahideen]

PML, allies reiterate resolve to stay together over national issues

ISLAMABAD, Mar 4 (APP): Pakistan Muslim League (PML) and its allied parties Tuesday mustered significant gathering of their Members of Parliament (MPs) here in the capital to reiterate resolve of staying together over national issues and keep contributing towards national development process and protection of welfare of the public.
The show of power by the partners in the former coalition government was a success as 60 out of total 65 parliamentarians from PML, MQM, PML-F and NPP attended the luncheon hosted by the PML leadership while PPP-Sherpao distanced itself from the former allies by staying away from the function.

Most of the speakers were upbeat about staying in the opposition and extending support to President Pervez Musharraf. PML and MQM leaders stole the show by coming up with proper preparation and taking a clear stance over the issue of sitting on opposition benches. On the other hand, PML-F and NPP were still indecisive whether to stay in the opposition or to choose the treasury benches.

Addressing the gathering, President PML Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain made it clear that the gathering did not aim at forging a grand opposition alliance and rather the initiative was a ‘family get-together’.

“I personally visited the leadership of our coalition partners to convey good-wishes on behalf of my party and colleagues. I told them that they are free to be a part of any coalition in the new set up at federal or provincial levels in the larger interest of their supporters. We would never compel any party or group for mustering a number game,” he said and added that all the allied parties were free to take their decisions in this regard.

Shujaat said his party would stay in opposition and would play its role as a constructive and vigilant opposition which would never compromise on national integrity and prestige.

“We would establish new positive trends as opposition and would adopt a national agenda. We would fulfill our commitments and would support the government on national issues and people-friendly legislation. But we would confront any negative step taken by the treasury,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to the leaders of the allied parties for extending support to his party. Especially, he referred to MQM Chief Altaf Hussain who had spoken to him during his visit to MQM Secretariat 90 last week.

MQM leader Dr. Farooq Sattar came up with an elaborate stance by putting up two key demands, one each to PPP and President Musharraf.

“As the unnecessary delay in formation of government is irking public and amplifying ambiguity, the coalition demands the PPP to announce its nominee for the slot of PM. We also appeal to President Pervez Musharraf to convene the national assembly session at the earliest so as the prevailing ambiguity on political front could be cleared once and for all,” he said.

Putting forth further proposals, the seasoned parliamentarian proposed to the opposition to put froth its agenda for first 180 days for the new government.

“The agenda should comprise the issue of terrorism, law and

order, strengthening of democratic institutions, and respecting

the public mandate of all political parties including the opposition. Moreover,

we should make sure that the promises made by the parties

forming the government are fulfilled. The issues regarding price-hike, shortage

of water, electricity and gas should be addressed. If the

caretaker government has unnecessarily increased prices of petroleum, electricity

and gas, the new government should reverse the prices,” said the MQM leader.

Calling for continuation of local body governments which are basic democracy institutions, Sattar said it was imperative as the local body governments were representatives of grass root public.

He said the reforms for abolishment of feudalism was necessary while the government as well as the opposition should play a vigilant role in the preparation for forthcoming budget.

Sattar said the gathering of Members of Parliament (MPs) who chose to stay away from formation of the government has further cleared the Government-Opposition divide.

“The steps taken by Ch. Shujaat would further fortify the five-year-old friendship ties between the allied parties. His visit of Karachi and this gathering are important steps and his services are laudable in this regard,” he said.

The MQM leader lauded President Musharraf for holding free, fair and transparent polls on time.

Senator Abdur Razzaq Thahim of PML-F congratulated all the participant parties and said his party has conceded the polls results. Hoping that the new government would establish positive traditions, Thahim said his party leader Pir Sahib Pagaro had asked him to represent him at the function.

Contradicting the news items that Pir Pagaro had not allowed Ch. Shujaat to visit Kingri House, Thahim said his party leader was ill and the news item was baseless.

Senator Asif Jatoi of National Peoples Party (NPP) spoke on behalf of his party leader and NPP Chairman Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi. He said his leader could not make it to the meeting and had asked him to represent his party.

PML Punjab Chief Ch. Pervaiz Elahi said the coalition had bagged more votes than either PPP or PML-N. He said the PML and allies would establish a new trend by adopting issue-based political strategy.

Lauding steps taken by President Musharraf, Elahi felicitated the president who had ensured that the national development and foreign investment kept coming despite the fact that the country was facing the menace of terrorism and the nation had to face deadly earthquake in year 2005.

“We have made promise to the nation that we would not resort to negative tactics of desk-thumping and raising hollow slogans. Rather we would work together to further the positive democratic norms. We would defend the local government system at all levels as some elements are eyeing these institutions for petty political gains,” he said.

Without mentioning the name of PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, Elahi said there are some politicians who are targeting the presidency.

“This tendency is not in the interest of the democracy, country or the people. They also confronted two former presidents, two army chiefs and superior judiciary which reveals that they (Sharifs) have learnt nothing from past,” he said adding that the four assemblies and parliament has elected the president democratically.

“The new ruling alliance should not be afraid of 58-2(b) as the president did not dissolve opposition governments in two provinces,” he said and added that Sharif is aiming at new elections within 6 months as the incumbent parliament could not stamp his wish to become ‘Ameer-ul-Momineen’.

He urged the new MPs to keep strict vigil on Sharif’s intention to destabilise democratic system.

PML leaders Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Amir Muqam, Sumaira Malik, Senator Nasir Mengal, Ghous Bakhsh Khan Mehar and kamil Ali Agha also spoke on the occasion while MQM leader Senator Babar Khan Ghouri also addressed.

Chief Executive Northern Areas Mir Ghazanfar Ali also led a delegation of MPs from Northern Areas Legislative Assembly (NALA) to the gathering to express solidarity with the PML.

app - PML, allies reiterate resolve to stay together over national issues

 

[mujahideen]

Former rulers fail to form grand Opp

Our Staff reporter

ISLAMABAD - Extraordinary meeting of the MNAs elect of the former ruling alliance on Tuesday ended without agreeing to sit together on the Opposition benches in the National Assembly.
Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) headed by Chaudhry Shujaat that hosted a luncheon in honour of the newly elected parliamentarians of the allied parties, MQM, PML-F and NPP, did not agree to put up a combined Opposition in the National Assembly.
PPP (Sherpao) had distanced itself by not attending the meeting while other small groups including PML-F and NPP remained indecisive whether to stay in the Opposition or to choose the treasury benches.
The meeting attended by 60 of the total 65 members of the former ruling alliance was however dominated by the larger component parties such as PML-Q and MQM.
Most of their members who spoke on the occasion were upbeat about staying in the Opposition and extending support to President Pervez Musharraf.
PML and MQM leaders stole the show by coming up with proper preparation and taking a clear stance over the issue of sitting on the Opposition benches.
PML President, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain made it clear that the gathering did not aim at forging a grand Opposition alliance and rather the initiative was a ‘family get-together’.
“I personally visited the leadership of our coalition partners to convey good wishes on behalf of my party and colleagues. I told them that they are free to be a part of any coalition in the new set-up at the Federal or Provincial levels in the larger interest of their supporters. We would never compel any party or group for mustering a number game,” he said and added that all the allied parties were free to take their decisions in this regard.
Shujaat said his party would stay in the Opposition and would play its role as a constructive and vigilant Opposition, which would never compromise on national integrity and prestige.
“We would establish new positive trends as the Opposition and would adopt a national agenda. We would fulfil our commitments and would support the government on national issues and people-friendly legislation. But we would confront any negative step taken by the treasury,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the leaders of the allied parties for extending support to his party. Especially, he referred to MQM Chief Altaf Hussain who had spoken to him during his visit to MQM Secretariat 90 last week.
MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar came up with an elaborate stance by putting up two key demands, one each to PPP and President Musharraf.
“As the unnecessary delay in formation of government is irking public and amplifying ambiguity, the coalition demands the PPP to announce its nominee for the slot of PM. We also appeal to President Pervez Musharraf to convene the National Assembly session at the earliest so as the prevailing ambiguity on political front could be cleared once and for all,” he said.
Putting forth further proposals, the seasoned parliamentarian proposed to the Opposition to put forth its agenda for the first 180 days for the new government.
“The agenda should comprise the issue of terrorism, law and order, strengthening of democratic institutions, and respecting the public mandate of all political parties including the Opposition. Moreover, we should make sure that the promises made by the parties forming the government are fulfilled. The issues regarding price-hike, shortage of water, electricity and gas should be addressed. If the caretaker government has unnecessarily increased prices of petroleum, electricity and gas, the new government should reverse the prices,” said the MQM leader.
Calling for continuation of local body governments, which are basic democracy institutions, Sattar said it was imperative, as the local body governments were representatives of grass roots public.
He said that the reforms for abolishing feudalism were necessary while the government as well as the Opposition should play a vigilant role in the preparation for the forthcoming budget.
Sattar said the gathering of Members of Parliament (MPs) who chose to stay away from formation of the government has further cleared the Government-Opposition divide.
“The steps taken by Ch Shujaat would further fortify the five-year-old friendship ties between the allied parties. His visit of Karachi and this gathering are important steps and his services are laudable in this regard,” he said.
The MQM leader lauded President Musharraf for holding free, fair and transparent polls on time.
Senator Abdur Razzaq Thahim of PML-F congratulated all the participant parties and said his party had conceded the polls results. Hoping that the new government would establish positive traditions, Thahim said his party leader Pir Sahib Pagaro had asked him to represent him at the function.
Contradicting the news items that Pir Pagaro had not allowed Ch Shujaat to visit Kingri House, Thahim said his party leader was ill and the news item was baseless.
Senator Asif Jatoi of National Peoples Party (NPP) spoke on behalf of his party leader and NPP Chairman Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi. He said his leader could not make it to the meeting and had asked him to represent his party.
PML-Q Punjab Chief Ch Pervaiz Elahi said the coalition had bagged more votes than PPP or PML-N. He said the PML-Q and allies would establish a new trend by adopting issue-based political strategy.
Lauding steps taken by President Musharraf, Elahi felicitated the President who had ensured that the sustained national development and foreign investment continued unhindered despite the fact that the country was facing the menace of terrorism and the nation had to face deadly earthquake in the year 2005.
“We have made promise to the nation that we would not resort to negative tactics of desk-thumping and raising hollow slogans. Rather we would work together to further the positive democratic norms. We would defend the local government system at all levels as some elements are eyeing these institutions for petty political gains,” he said.
Without mentioning the name of PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, Elahi said there were some politicians who were targeting the presidency.
“This tendency is not in the interest of the democracy, country or the people. They also confronted two former presidents, two army chiefs and superior judiciary which reveals that they (the Sharifs) have learnt nothing from the past,” he said adding that the four assemblies and parliament had elected the President democratically.
“The new ruling alliance should not be afraid of 58-2(b) as the President did not dissolve the Opposition Governments in two provinces,” he said and added that Sharif was aiming at new elections within 6 months, as the incumbent parliament could not stamp his wish to become ‘Ameer-ul-Momineen’.
He urged the new MPs to keep strict vigil on Sharif’s intentions to destabilise the democratic system.
PML-Q leaders Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Amir Muqam, Sumaira Malik, Senator Nasir Mengal, Ghous Bakhsh Khan Mehar and Kamil Ali Agha also spoke on the occasion while MQM leader Senator Babar Khan Ghouri also addressed.
Chief Executive Northern Areas Mir Ghazanfar Ali also led a delegation of MPs from Northern Areas Legislative Assembly (NALA) to the gathering to express solidarity with the PML-Q.
APP adds: Senator Tariq Azeem has tendered his resignation from the office of Central Information Secretary of Pakistan Muslim League (Q).
Talking to a private TV channel, Tariq Azeem Tuesday said he has submitted his resignation to the party president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

Ups, downs part of democracy, says Musharraf

Abrar Saeed

ISLAMABAD - Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro arranged a reception in the honour of allied parties’ senators here at PM House on Wednesday afternoon in a bid to mend fences with the ruling coalition senators, some of whom have already formed a forward bloc in the Upper House of the Parliament.
The sources informed that President Pervez Musharraf also attended the function and while addressing the senators asked them to stay united and play their due role in the Senate and work for the cause of democracy and welfare of the people.
President Musharraf has reportedly said that the ups and downs are part of the democracy and as the Q-League and its allies are holding majority in the Upper House, they should work in unison for the cause of democracy. He further said that Q-League and its allies have won a good number of seats in National Assembly and also in four provinces, and they must play their due role in the Parliament by keeping a vigilant eye on the working of the future government, the sources further informed.
These sources further said that the reception was organised to check the defection in the ruling party alliance in the Upper House of the Parliament, as there are rumours that another half a dozen senators from the ruling alliance are expected to join the forward bloc. Further defection in the Senate would definitely reduce the majority of the ruling alliance in the Upper House and could pave the way for no-trust against the Chairman.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

PML-N achieved successes due to stand on judges: Aitzaz

Lays floral wreath at Benazir’s Mazar, offers Fateha

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

NAUDERO: Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan on Tuesday visited Garhi Khuda Bux graveyard and laid floral wreath and offered Fateha at the Mazar of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairperson Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.

He remained there for some time and recited Holy Quran.

Earlier, he was received by High Court Bar Association Larkana President Khalid Iqbal Memon, General Secretary Inayatullah Morio, President, PML-N Lawyers Forum Aijaz Bhatti, President Indus Social Welfare Association, Naudero Abdul Khaliq and a large number of lawyers and PPP workers.

Later, talking to media persons outside the graveyard, he said: "This is not an ordinary graveyard, but the last resting place of martyrs."

He said after the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto, the responsibility now lies on our shoulders for the restoration of democracy and supremacy of the Constitution. "We should work hard to change the destiny of poor masses of this country."

Aitzaz warned of a drive against parliament if judges were not restored soon.

Aitzaz declared in Sukkur later that the lawyers, with the cooperation of civil society and people from different walks of life, would not hesitate from launching a movement against the new parliament, if it failed to get the deposed judges reinstated, the judiciary restored and media freed soon.

Addressing a crowded press conference at the residence of SCBA senior vice president, Imdad Ali Awan, before leaving for Karachi, Aitzaz observed that the success achieved by the PML-N in the general election was due to its slogan of restoration of deposed judges.

"There is no country in the world where a parliament is set up at the cost of judiciary," he said and argued neither stability could prevail in national organisations nor public issues could be resolved without the independence of judiciary.

The SCBA president said it was now inevitable that President Musharraf should quit to save the country from terrorism and bomb blasts, because the people had become fed up with his ill-conceived policies. Furthermore, the political parties should sit together to find out a resolution to save the country from terrorism and suicide bombings, he stressed.

He said the legal fraternity had postponed its long march on March 9 to give some time to the new parliament in this regard.

He said he would meet PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad on Thursday to offer his condolences over the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. The political situation and matters pertaining to nomination of party's candidates for the office of premier, the assembly speaker and other office-bearers will also come under discussion, he added. -PPI

Our Khairpur correspondent adds: While Aitzaz was offering Fateha at the Mazar of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto tears, rolled from his eyes and he appeared overwhelmed by emotions.

Aitzaz stayed at the Mazar for one and a half hour and looked very sad.

He told reporters later that he was shocked over the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto and tried many times to visit the Mazar of Benazir but the Punjab government created hindrances in his way. He said it was his wish to attend the funeral rites but the Punjab government illegally confined him.

Aitzaz said Benazir had sacrificed her life in the fight for the democracy but she did not surrender herself before dictators.

Aitzaz said Musharraf and his team were not ready to accept the realities and they were not ready to see the Chief Justice of Pakistan in his office.

PML-N achieved successes due to stand on judges: Aitzaz

 

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PML-Q names Shaikh Jaffar parliamentary leader in BA

Six Balochistan independents announce support for PPP

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

QUETTA: The PML-Q on Tuesday nominated newly-elected member Shaikh Jaffar Mandokhel as the party's parliamentary leader and the Leader of the House in the Balochistan Assembly (BA), party sources told APP.

They said a committee formed for nominating the party's parliamentary leader and the leader of the House in BA had decided the nomination after consultation with members of the party. The committee members included provincial general secretary PML-Q Arbab Hashim, Senator Saeed Ahmed Hashmi and Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran. A member of the committee has also confirmed the report.

Meanwhile, provincial president of the PML-Q and former chief minister Jam Muhammad Yousaf has disassociated himself with the decision and said he was the provincial president of the party. He said he had no knowledge about the decision.

Provincial secretary information PML-Q Aslam Shah said that he and the provincial president of the party also had no information about the decision.

Meanwhile, the nominated parliamentary leader of the PPP Sardar Aslam Khan Raisani has said he would isolate himself from the provincial government if it failed to reconcile with the Baloch nationalists and armed militants in the province.

Talking to journalists at a local hotel, Nawab Raisani said if the government could hold talks with the local Taliban, then ìwhy it cannot do so with BLA, BRA or BLFî. He reiterated his resolve for reconciliation in the province and said that all the political workers, including Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, would be set free.

After forming the government in Balochistan, he would contact the central government for financial assistance to run the affairs in the province, which was “crumbling under Rs 2.2 billion overdraft”. He lauded the people for “rejecting the establishment parties” in the elections.

Muhammad Ejaz Khan adds: As efforts of the PPP Balochistan are in progress to muster the support of maximum number of MPAs-elect to form its government in the province, six independent MPAs-elect on Tuesday announced their support for the PPP in the formation of a coalition government.

“We will support the PPP in Balochistan for the formation of a coalition government,” said Sardar Muhammad Aslam Bizenjo at a news conference here.

The other independent MPAs-elect — Mir Shah Nawaz Marri, Sardar Rustam Jamali, Qambar Khan Gichki, Zahoor Ahmed Baloch and Sardar Bakhtiar Domki — were also present on the occasion.

The independent MPAs-elect hoped that all the promises that had been made by Benazir Bhutto before her assassination with regard to Balochistan would be fulfilled.

The BNP-Awami, one of the major coalition partners of the previous PML-Q-led government in Balochistan, wants to finalise its strategy for the larger interests of Balochistan and the country, said BNP-Awamiís leader Farah Azeem Shah in Quetta.

The JUI-F that secured fewer seats in the 2008 elections may prefer to join the treasury benches instead of sitting in the opposition.

One thing is crystal clear that it would be again a coalition of, at least, three political parties. The independent MPAs-elect are playing the role of “kingmaker” in the formation of the new coalition government.

PML-Q names Shaikh Jaffar parliamentary leader in BA