PML-N President Nawaz launches anti-govt drive
06 May, 2012
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| TAXILA: President PML (N) Nawaz Sharif addressing a huge public meeting in Taxila. |
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TAXILA: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Saturday began its protest movement against the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) government, holding first rally in Taxila.
A large number of PML-N workers thronged the venue of the anti-government rally, also attended by PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and others.
Speaking on the occasion, Nawaz criticised President Asif Ali Zardari for what he called backing off from promises made with the PML-N. He said Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Zardari should explain what they did for people during their government.
Nawaz said Pakistan's security and sovereignty were in danger, adding that Zardari should explain to the nation about $600 million lying in Swiss banks. He said Zardrai will have to return the money, and a letter must be written to Swiss authorities.
He vowed that he and his party members would not sit idle until the masses' looted money stashed away in Swiss banks was returned to the country. He said the PML-N would continue its struggle for the recovery of the looted money. The PML-N chief said Zardari and Gilani were hell bent on destroying Pakistan. While addressing Gilani, Nawaz said, "President Zardari has made you a puppet and pawn for his vested interests."
He also criticised PM Gilani for his refusal to step down after his conviction in the contempt case, saying, "He will not let the constitution of the country be trampled on and will fight the Gilanis and Zardaris for upholding the supremacy and dignity of the superior judiciary."
Referring to Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz said she had signed an agreement with him for the restoration of a democratic set-up, but after her assassination, President Zardari had come forward and misused the agreement.
He appealed to the nation that it should be ready to participate in a long march against the government, saying the masses should stand by him for the survival of the country. It is not a war of politics, neither is it a struggle of personal interests, he added.
He said law and order situation in Lyari and Balochistan had become so uncertain that people had been rendered helpless. "Innocent people are being targeted while the government is busy securing its rule," Nawaz added.
Addressing the rally, Chaudhry Nisar said people would follow Nawaz Sharif if he decided to stage a long march against the government.
He also criticised Imran Khan and said his comrades would leave him in trying times. The PML-N announced the public campaign against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani after his conviction in the contempt case, Nisar added.
Lawyers dismisses PML-N demand to sack Gilani
The lawyers have dismissed the demand of PML-N to sack PM Gilani from his post.
Addressing media after a session in Lahore, vice chairman of Pakistan Bar Akhtar Hussain said that Gilani still enjoys the position under the constitution.
He said appointment of adhoc judges in Supreme Court is in contrast to the freedom of judiciary.
Akhtar Hussain further explained that the appointment of adhoc judges in Supreme Court can only be made after a consultation with Prime Ministerthe and approval of president.
The vice chairman Akhtar Hussian said that an eight-member bench can hear the case if PM Gilani appeals in court against the verdict.
PPP allies ask Nawaz to behave responsibly
Coalition partners of the PPP said the PML-N's announcement of holding a long march was an "irresponsible decision" in the present political situation.
Speaking to the media, PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said on Saturday PML-N President Nawaz Sharif should get rid of his confusion about the politics of long march and avoid destabilising the democratic process. He said Nawaz Sharif should wait for the detailed judgement of the Supreme Court in the contempt of court case against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
MQM leader Haidar Abbas also said the prime minister still had the right to appeal in the case. Rizvi told a private news channel that democracy gave every political party the right to protest to highlight its stance, but responsibilities should be taken into consideration and assembly sessions should not be halted.
Slamming the PML-N's decision of holding a long march, the ANP's Afrasiab Khattak told a news channel that if any party was considering a change in the country, it should be brought through a democratic and constitutional way.
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