Looks like Zardari is more interested in getting rid of Musharraf, than restoring the judiciary…
By Rauf Klasra
JEDDAH: PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari made it clear on Sunday that he did not accept Pervez Musharraf as the “constitutional president” because he was there by default and urged the media men to directly ask Musharraf what he was actually up to.
Zardari who was in a relaxed mood during his informal talk with the media in the lobby of the hotel where the PM delegation was staying, also claimed that Saudi King Abdullah had assured he would consider the “wish list” which PM Yousuf Raza Gilani had brought with him on his state visit.
According to a source, the wish list valued $3-6billion including free oil supply to Pakistan as it was done in 1998 after Pakistan went nuclear and faced sanctions. Asif Zardari who extended his stay for a day in Saudi Arabia to follow up the meetings with the Saudi king, was quite satisfied with the outcome of the talks held between the leadership of the two countries. He did not mince words when he said that “wish list” of Pakistan had been given consent by the Saudi king. However, Zardari refused to give the details of the “wish list” which was accepted by the king and said, let PM Gilani himself give you the details.
Earlier, Asif Zardari was asked to comment on the discussion of the president with the Pakistani journalists at Army House on Saturday. He was asked whether this was a deliberate attempt on the part of President Musharraf to overshadow Zardari’s meeting with the king by going public in the name of offering his defence to many of the attacks, which were made against him during the last three months.
Zardari said he was doing his own job as a politician and a head of the party. His primary job was to save the country, which was passing through very testing times. But, he said, why don’t journalists ask Musharraf what he was actually up to. “We are doing what we are supposed to do, but you must ask Musharraf what he is doing”, said Zardari without making any comment on the real question whether Musharraf had tried to put pressure on him and PM Gilani during their meeting with the Saudi king. But, Zardari avoided a direct answer on why Musharraf had chosen the day to break his silence when he along with the PM was meeting the king for very crucial talks.
Zardari said, the people must understand that he did not accept Musharraf as the legal president as his party had to maintain a working relationship with him by default as we have to run the country. Zardari said one could not adopt the policy of likes and dislikes in running the country. This is a disadvantageous situation but we want to take advantage of it at the same time. But, he did not explain what he meant by taking advantage of this situation when he was openly terming Musharraf an “illegal president”.
Zardari said he first wanted political reconciliation within Pakistan and then would extend the range of his reconciliation to other Muslim countries and finally he might also include other countries in the process of reconciliation. He sounded as he was on a mission to bring peace to the whole world on the pattern of his newly found love for the word “reconciliation” which is presently being applied in Pakistan. He also gave the details of the Benazir Bhutto card, which would be made available to poor women and said, initially its value would be Rs1,000 but gradually he would rise to Rs3,000.
No one wants to work with Mushy :hehe: despite his wishes
Shahbaz rules out working with Musharraf
By our correspondents
LAHORE: PML-N President Mian Shahbaz Sharif took oath as chief minister of Punjab along with a 15-member provincial cabinet on Sunday after he was elected leader of the house in the Punjab Assembly.
Governor Salmaan Taseer administered the oath to the 21st chief minister of the Punjab in the Darbar Hall of the Governor’s House. The ceremony was attended by the top PML-N leadership, judges and senior bureaucrats.
Members of the provincial cabinet who took oath included Sardar Dost Muhammad Khosa, Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Sanaullah Khan, Ahmed Ali Aulakh, Nadeem Kamran, Kamran Michael, Iqbal Chunnar, Raja Riaz, Tanvir Ashraf Kaira, Haji Ishaq, Dr Tanvirul Islam, Neelum Jabbar, Haji Ehsanuddin, Ashraf Sohna and Farooq Yousuf Ghurki. Haji Ishaq, who is performing Umrah, did not take oath.
Except Dost Mohammad Khosa, all other cabinet members were ministers in Khosa’s outgoing government. The PML-N leaders present on the occasion included Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Ishaq Dar, Sartaj Aziz, Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa, Hamza Shahbaz, Khwaja Saad Rafiq and Inamullah Niazi. However, it was learnt that there was no representation of the PPP leadership apart from two female MPs and the members of the cabinet.
Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Zahid Hussain, the Punjab chief secretary and IG were also present. Governor Salmaan Taseer congratulated Shahbaz Sharif upon taking oath while the two later held a one-to-one meeting.
Earlier in the day, Shahbaz received 265 votes in the house of 271 legislators while the opposition PML-Q abstained from participating in the proceedings. The proceedings which were scheduled to start at 10:00 am were delayed for two hours due to the absence of Shahbaz Sharif. Outgoing chief minister Dost Mohammad Khosa, before the voting, requested Speaker Rana Iqbal to form a committee to convince the PML-Q legislators, who were protesting outside the assembly, to come into the house. The PML-Q had announced a boycott of the proceedings complaining that the opposition leader was not notified about the session and was also not given his chamber in the House. However, Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhood who was sent to convince the protesting legislators returned to inform the house that the PML-Q members had already left their temporary camp installed outside the assembly.
The speaker, after starting proceedings, informed the House that he had examined all 30 nomination papers filed for Shahbaz Sharif and had found them correct. After completion of the voting procedure, the speaker declared that since Shahbaz had received 265 votes, therefore under article 130, he represented the majority of the members in the House. He later congratulated the new leader of the House for assuming charge for the second time and hoped that he would address the issues of inflation, unemployment, law and order and other problems.
The speaker also announced formation of a panel of chairmen comprising Raja Tariq Kiani, Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood, Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmed and Dr Faiza Asghar. Later, addressing a press conference, the newly-elected chief minister Shahbaz Sharif ruled out establishing working relationship with Pervez Musharraf, terming him an unconstitutional president. Answering a question about a safe exit for Musharraf, Shahbaz said he had no personal feud against Musharraf, rather he had been his friend in the past. Shahbaz said he had worked as a bridge between Musharraf and Islamabad in the past but added, “What sort of working relationship can we have with a person who violates the law and works against the national interest?’ He said his relations with anyone would be based on the Constitution and in the larger interest of the country.
To a question about a rift in the coalition government over the issue of the judges, Shahbaz ruled out any differences between the two partners. He said both the PPP and PML-N are agreed on the restoration of the judiciary and the only difference lies in the modalities.
He said in India the coalition partners had differences over the nuclear technology provided to India by the US, but the coalition did not break up despite this difference. He expressed hope that the coalition government would remain intact and there would be no problems in moving ahead.
To a question about participation of the PML-N in the lawyers’ long march, Shahbaz said the PML-N is committed to the restoration of the judiciary and the party leaders would certainly participate in the long march.
Answering a question about the chances of Nawaz Sharif meeting with President Musharraf, Shahbaz said first he (Musharraf) used to talk about ‘kicking’ us and now he is going for negotiations. He said Nawaz Sharif had categorically stated earlier that talks with Musharraf would be possible only if Musharraf quit the office of president. He repeated that he was an unconstitutional president.
He also said that he would soon meet Zardari to discuss the issue of the judiciary so that a solution could be found to avoid the lawyers’ protests. Stressing upon the restoration of the judiciary, he said it was the need of the hour as no nation could survive long without a free and independent judiciary.
He further said that the politics of the PML-N are not based on political victimisation, but that no one could be spared for violating the law. Shahbaz said the country had been facing the problem of corruption formany years but in the last few years, it had reached its peak. He said the whole nation is under debt and those who are responsible for plundering public wealth would be dealt with strictly.
He said dictatorship has never been in favour of the country. He said that the country disintegrated during Yahya Khan’s dictatorship and it also suffered seriously during the Musharraf era. He said despite tall claims about prosperity, the country is facing a huge shortage of 5,000 MW of electricity and various other crises.
Answering a question about the construction of the Kalabagh Dam, he said it must be constructed with national consensus. He said the previous government did not do anything but only gave importance to the ‘uniform.’ The chief minister said they did not even construct the Bhasha Dam, and the nation faced a great loss as a result. On the other hand, Shahbaz said it is strange that the present government, which is just eight weeks old, is being criticised by the failed rulers.
The CM said that both the major coalition partners have given great sacrifices during the long struggle against dictatorship. He said workers and leaders of both the parties faced oppression during the dictatorship eras. Shahbaz said slain PPP chairperson set a precedent by sacrificing her life for the sake of democracy, whereas the PML-N leaders had to face exile.
He further said both the families of Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari had to face great trouble at the hands of dictators, however their struggle has finally been rewarded. Answering a question about the occupation of the Journalists’ Colony, Shahbaz said extortionists are seen everywhere because of the dark rule of the last eight years and all the issues would be resolved according to the law.
Still better than a dictator who continues to self impose himself for 9 years and counting. Atleast his party got elected, you mush-tards need to try harder.
lets go into bit explanation here, I voted myself for PPP then NS and then NS again in 3 elections in Pakistan , i always supported democracy but very sadly but truely in front of my eyes both of them failed to deliver looking into history of bad dictatorships in Pakistan.
most of them atleast brought some what calmity in loot khasoot though I do not rule out if army and co are angels but PAkistan did well economy wise not perfect solution.
I do not have personal preference who rules in Pakistan its bushy, mushy or fishy, all I am interested in Pakistan, its people, and its development on every front.
its really hard to believe such leaders when I have personally saw their assets, NS homes at Park Lane and Rockwood Palace in surrey here. or atleast giving them endless chances when they are tried and tested for many times. why cant other leadership come forward say and hey mr NS and zardari, you had your chances let the other sincere leadership from our parties try this time around.???? why parties are so dictator oriented.
If politicians in Pakistan become sincere atleast by 30%, no dictator will come in to place in always a bloodless coup.
and last but not least, If I were at musharraf place, I wouldnt have elected myself from expiring assembly, and wouldnt have carried on after the election results either, shouldnt have given pardon to za and NS too
Right on Teelo! Musharraf has been in power for 8-9 years, which is just about the combined terms of both BB and NS, and despite the corruption, looting, plundering, terrorism, destruction of freedom, sovereignty I can go on and on, some people still fail to see a flaw in him. I hope they realize what they were doing after Musharraf's out and the details come out.
Unlike BUSHROO who has sucked peoples blood and money to get all the money he has today that lower class ghurbat say nikla hua banda.
how much blood sucked by him still be less than drop compared to beloved NS and smart AAZ! musharraf can be blamed for power grabbing I dont think he is famous or will be famous for corruption ever.
that still doesnt justify used cartridges getting a political party leadership cause he is a husband?
Right on Teelo! Musharraf has been in power for 8-9 years, which is just about the combined terms of both BB and NS, and despite the corruption, looting, plundering, terrorism, destruction of freedom, sovereignty I can go on and on, some people still fail to see a flaw in him. I hope they realize what they were doing after Musharraf's out and the details come out.
Whatever corruption, looting, plundering, terrorism, destruction Musharraf did, Nawaz Sharif & Beghairat Bhutto did it worse :)
^ Thats what you believe is, not us. Busharraf was eons ahead, and he ruled for 8-9 years, which again is almost equal to BB, NS's combined terms. Also, mind telling me how many suicide attacks we used to have in the 90s as compared to Musharrafs reign of terror?
So now we have a contest of who bred the most jihadis, who. took the most money and who killed the most while ruiling Pakistan.
Such is the fate. Mush, zardari, sharief - once these three are 'done' raping Pakistan, wonder who will rule next.
Instead of taking wish lists in a begging bowl, why not just sell the. whole country to King Abdulla? A province of a rich couintry with a tyrant is. better than being raped b by these jokers.
Are these 3 going to improve std of life 1 bit? Are these 3 going to eliminate the shame of seeing headlines everyday about some deputy assistant vice undersecretary from D.C calling Pakistan a cesspool of terror and demand satisfaction? Are these 3 going to lift one finger to stop one more teenager from getting corrupted into violence by so called religious leaders?
And how are they going to stop Saudi funding of fundo madrissahs eve while taking begging bowl to the. Sauds?
Seems to me that Pakistan's fate alternates between being vassal to USA and Saiudies while the neighbor is marching to being top 3 world economy.
^ Thats what you believe is, not us. Busharraf was eons ahead, and he ruled for 8-9 years, which again is almost equal to BB, NS's combined terms.
I've already provided facts that back up my statements (in another thread), but if you want to remain ignorant, then go ahead.
Also, mind telling me how many suicide attacks we used to have in the 90s as compared to Musharrafs reign of terror?
How many suicide attacks did the whole world have in the 90's, compared to now (after 9/11) ? This is a global trend, and it has nothing to do with Musharraf. The only reason why it is more common in Pakistan is that the pioneers of suicide-attacks (Afghans/Taliban) live right next to Pakistan (neighbours), and both countries (Pak & Afgh) have politics that often intermingle.
Are these 3 going to improve std of life 1 bit? Are these 3 going to eliminate the shame of seeing headlines everyday about some deputy assistant vice undersecretary from D.C calling Pakistan a cesspool of terror and demand satisfaction? Are these 3 going to lift one finger to stop one more teenager from getting corrupted into violence by so called religious leaders?
What measures standards of living? In economics, it is figures such as gdp/capita, income/capita, etc. that measure standards of living. Now, are you telling me that these 3 did not improve 1 bit of any of these economic indicators? Or are you just being ignorant?
now now cheetah, we all know busharraf himself admitted, rather shamelessly that he had no spine and offered the country to the coalition as they wished. Surprisingly, dont you find it interesting how suicide attacks stopped after the new govt came? Theres been only one major one so far, and that was in retaliation to the Bajour attack. Musharraf created this monster, just like he created the kargil fiasco, and went about proliferating and then offered a scapegoat in the form of AQ.
60 days of new government rule vs 8-9 years of Musharraf's rule, is an invalid comparison. How many suicide-attacks were there in Pakistan, in the first 60 days of his rule? Now that would be a better comparison.
The real fact of the matter is that, whichever ruler comes in to power in Pakistan & develops the country, the suicide-attacks will continue, so long as there is a U.S puppet ruling Afghanistan. A strong Pakistan = endangered U.S interests in the region.
The U.S fears that a leader with balls may develop/emerge in Pakistan, which may halt all supplies to the coalition (all which are through Pakistan). I think this is the reason as to why the U.S grew tired of Musharraf, especially after they saw the country developing so fast - faster than any previous times. This is also the reason why US backed Beghairat Bhutto so much - They knew that this beghairat would bend over a full 90+° infront of them.
