Count us out, Nawaz tells Gilani

LAHORE: A clear-cut ‘no-cooperation’ message by ally and the arch rival Nawaz Sharif has reportedly panicked Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, making him publicly talk of ‘conspiracies’ being hatched against his government.

The PML-N chief has reportedly told the prime minister unequivocally that in future he (PM) should not expect any co-operation from his party.

A source informed Dawn on Tuesday that Nawaz Sharif’s message had panicked the prime minister as it was indicative of some ‘serious move’ to send his government packing.

“Though apparently, Mr Sharif has expressed his annoyance with the prime minister for backing out of his commitment to constitute an independent commission to monitor the relief work and funds collection for the flood-affected people, the premier believes that the PML-N is seriously contemplating to pose a challenge to his government at the behest of the establishment,” he said.

PML-N senior leader MNA Khawaja Asif has also confirmed that the PML-N chief had given a “clear-cut message” to PM Gilani about his (Nawaz’s) party’s future stance. “Our leadership has made it clear to PM Gilani that it will not support him on any issue and also in case a move is initiated to bring about a constitutional change.”

“Rather we will go for an in-house change. It’s a number game in parliament to bring a no-confidence motion against the prime minister. When we will have the required number we will go for it,” Khawaja Asif added. To a question about the possibility of PML-N ‘merger’ with the PML-Q in this regard, he said it was out of question, hastening to add there could be a possibility of “cooperation” between the two leagues, however, over the issue (of bringing no-confidence move against the prime minister). “We are ready to show flexibility for democracy and national interest,” he said.

The PML-Q and PML-Functional have already announced a merger of the factions.

PML-Q senior vice-president Senator Wasim Sajjad said his party would not be part of any unconstitutional move to topple the present set up. “The present government should complete its tenure. We are also not in favour of supporting a no-confidence motion against PM Gilani,” he said.

About unification of PML-N and Q, Senator Sajjad said: “We have personal contacts with the N leaders, however, there are efforts under way for the merger.”

Premier’s son MPA Abdul Qadir Gilani told Dawn the PPP was ready to face any such challenge. “Governments come and go. We accept the challenges with an open heart,” he said.

Junior Gilani said since Mian Nawaz Sharif had clarified that he would not support any unconstitutional change, the PPP was not worried.

No one to be allowed to use delaying tactics: Nawaz

Lahore—PML-N Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that the distressed flood-stricken people cannot be left at the mercy of any department and no department would be allowed to use delaying tactics in the relief measures for political motives.

“If NADRA did not improve its performance, some alternative arrangement would be considered,” Nawaz said while chairing a meeting here Wednesday in which various proposals with regard to setting up model villages in flood-hit areas and provision of financial assistance to the affectees were considered.

Nawaz said: “We had faced such natural calamity in 1992 and had distributed financial assistance in a transparent manner in the flood-affectees while NADRA did not exist at that time.”

Opposition leader Ch. Nisar Ali urged NADRA to review its performance and ensure distribution of cards by October 20. He said that NADRA is not a personal property of any one.

During the meeting, office-bearers and parliamentarians belonging to PML-N lodged complaints against NADRA regarding distribution of financial assistance in the flood-hit areas. The elected representatives of Mianwali said that the officials of NADRA do not cooperate with the people without giving any reason. Likewise the widows and heads of families are not being acknowledged and new national identity cards are not being issued in place of CNICs lost during flood.

The leadership of PML-N took serious notice of this situation and said that the lethargy and inaptness of NADRA would not be allowed to create hurdle in the way of rehabilitation of flood affectees.

Director General NADRA Punjab, Iqbal Tiwana, who also attended the meeting, said he will improve the performance of NADRA.

Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Ch. Nisar Ali Khan, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Members National and Provincial Assemblies, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development, Senior Member Board of Revenue and architects attended the meeting.

Quaid PML-N Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that such a system should be adopted for provision of financial assistance to the flood affectees as a result of which not only financial assistance could be provided to them on-time but they should also not face any difficulty.

He said that no stone should be left unturned for provision of all facilities to the families displaced due to flood. He said that committees headed by DCOs should be constituted to supervise the process of distribution of relief amounts in the affected districts and a programme should be chalked out at village level for distribution of these amounts and flood affectees should be informed about the plan evolved with regard to distribution of this aid.

Nawaz said that transport should also be arranged for bringing the flood-affectees at NADRA centers for getting financial assistance. He said that provincial ministers should be deputed to review the distribution of financial aid in the affected districts and these Ministers should personally supervise the process of distribution of these amounts in their respective areas. He said that it is also right of the provinces to review this fact that whether the distribution work of financial assistance is being carried out satisfactorily or otherwise as provincial governments are also giving 50 per cent share of financial assistance.

Regarding setting up of model villages in flood-hit areas, Nawaz Sharif said that such villages should be constructed for affectees with houses and all basic amenities.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that initially, the process of distribution of amounts at the rate of Rs.20 thousand per family among the affectees in flood-hit areas is continuing transparently. He said that sites are being identified for setting up model villages and besides well-to-do people, public partnership will also be encouraged for this purpose

Nawaz Sharif to celebrate Eid with flood affectees

LAHORE: PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that he would celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with the flood affectees to show solidarity with them.

Quaid PML-N said this while talking to PML-N delegation led by President PML-N Saudi Arabia Mirza Ataf in Lahore who donated 56 lakh rupees for the rehabilitation of flood affectees.

Nawaz Sharif admired the patriotism of PML-N leaders, workers and activists who has generously donated and participated in the rehabilitation of the flood victims. He also urged the PML-N leaders, workers and the people to come forth and help their brothers and sisters who in need and facing all sorts of difficulties. He assured that his party will stand shoulder to shoulder of flood-affectees.

The delegation of overseas PML-N leaders headed by President PML-N Saudi Arabia Mirza Altaf called on upon Nawaz Sharif and handed over cheques of donations for the rehabilitation of flood Affectees.

Time over for APC on floods: Nawaz

LAHORE – Terrorist activities being perpetrated in various parts of the country are part of enemy’s plan to destabilise Pakistan, PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif said here on Monday.
He maintained that the nation was determined to frustrate the enemy designs through concerted efforts.

The two-time prime minister said this while talking to reporters in the Emergency section of a local hospital where he inquired after the health of those injured in Wednesday’s three back-to-back blasts near Karbala Gamay Shah, which killed more than 40 people and injured some 300 others.
Security at the hospital had been tightened and traffic diverted.
“

The nation will not give in to the terrorists,” said the PML-N leader.
Replying to a question, Nawaz said the enemy could harbour the desire to consign Pakistan to yet another military rule. He, however, made it clear that the country could not afford such an eventuality yet again.
He said the National Assembly had already addressed in detail the speech made by MQM Chief Altaf Hussain on the subject.
When it was pointed out to him that the NAB prosecutor-general, whose sacking had been ordered by none else but the Supreme Court, was still there on the job, Nawaz said it was regrettable to find that the Apex Court’s decision had not been implemented.
He called upon the government to enforce the verdict.
The former prime minister said the judiciary had been restored not with a hope that it would provide a chance to the government to flout its verdicts.


He said if President Asif Ali Zardari was obstructing the judicial verdict, the Prime Minister should stop him. Otherwise, he said, both the President and the Prime Minister would be held responsible for defiance
He told a questioner that an all-party conference being considered by the government on the issue of flood situation had lost its utility as the time to hold it was already over.

Nation looking towards PML-N: Mian Nawaz Sharif

CHAKWAL: PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif has said the whole country is looking towards PML-N adding PML-N will be transformed into a revolutionary and popular party. Mian Nawaz Sharif said this while talking to PML-N delegation led by renowned Naat Khawan Abdul Razzaq Jami which called on him at Raiwind Saturday. Nawaz Sharif underlined party would be reorganized at village and union council level and the workers who had rendered sacrifices would be taken forward so that foundation for a political and popular revolution could be laid down in the country.

PML-N by awarding ticket to a worker in NA-61 Chakwal-2 had proved that workers were the assets of the party, he maintained. This was on the record that big Khan, chaudhrys, maliks and sardars had always left the party in the hour of trial, he added. Honor will be given to the party workers in future too who stood by party during Musharraf regime and those who had sacrificed for the party by serving jail terms; he said adding these workers were in fact asset of the party. Abdul Razzaq Jami told Mian Nawaz Sharif that awarding the ticket to Malik Muhammad Kabir advocate had infused a new spirit in the workers. District Chakwal was a strong citadel of PML-N and Malik Muhammad Kabir advocate would win the elections with overwhelming majority, he hoped

Nawaz urges Zardari to scrap UK visit

NOWSHERA: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif has urged President Asif Ali Zardari to cancel his visit to Britain to protest against the statement of Prime Minister David Cameroon that had hurt sentiments of Pakistani nation.

Talking to media after visiting the flood-affected areas in Nowshera he said president’s visit at this hour was uncalled for. Nawaz asked the British prime minister to be mindful that Pakistan had rendered sacrifices more than any other nation in the war against terrorism. The people of UK are aware of these sacrifices and therefore they do not share what Cameroon had said, he opined. Nawaz said he was there to help the calamity stricken brothers. He urged all political parties to help the flood affected people rising above politics.

The government should mobilize all resources at this occasion, he urged adding Punjab had provided medicines and food for the affectees. He was of the opinions that instead of looking beyond the borders we should rely on our own resources.

Meanwhile, the PML-N spokesman, Siddiqul Farooq, said Zardari should cancel his visit to the UK and that the law minister should not politicise the flood issue. Talking to a private TV channel, he said if the president prioritised national interests, he would have cancelled the UK visit in protest against UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s anti-Pakistan statement. He said the government was labelling the private visit of President Asif Ali Zardari as an official visit.

The PML-N spokesman said the masses were facing challenges owing to floods in various parts of the country, while Law Minister Babar Awan was trying to gain benefits by politicising the flood issue.

Masti Khel clarifies his position to Mian Nawaz Sharif through a letter

ISLAMABAD: Member of Punjab Assembly Sana Ullah Masti Khel had sent a letter to Mian Nawaz Sharif clarifying his position with reference to presentation of resolution against media in the provincial assembly besides giving details about the circumstance under which the resolution was moved.

In his letter Sana Ullah Masti Khel said 17 members of all the parties being represented in the assembly had worked out the resolution and the main factor behind tabling the resolution was the resentment sparked by the baseless criticism and irresponsible reporting by a section of the press against the members of assembly.

“It is correct that I should have brought the resolution into the notice of party leadership before its presentation but such a situation had been created by the speeches delivered by members of assembly that forced him to move this resolution. The resolution was not based on any malafide intent.

He hoped that Mian Nawaz Sharif would accept his regret otherwise whatever decision was taken by PML-N Quaid would be acceptable to him.

PML-N Quaid has constituted a special committee under senior provincial advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa to work out its recommendation on this matter. The committee will finalize its recommendations within 3 days and submit the report to Mian Nawaz Sharif.

Masti Khel clarifies his position to Mian Nawaz Sharif through a letter

ISLAMABAD: Member of Punjab Assembly Sana Ullah Masti Khel had sent a letter to Mian Nawaz Sharif clarifying his position with reference to presentation of resolution against media in the provincial assembly besides giving details about the circumstance under which the resolution was moved.

In his letter Sana Ullah Masti Khel said 17 members of all the parties being represented in the assembly had worked out the resolution and the main factor behind tabling the resolution was the resentment sparked by the baseless criticism and irresponsible reporting by a section of the press against the members of assembly.

“It is correct that I should have brought the resolution into the notice of party leadership before its presentation but such a situation had been created by the speeches delivered by members of assembly that forced him to move this resolution. The resolution was not based on any malafide intent.

He hoped that Mian Nawaz Sharif would accept his regret otherwise whatever decision was taken by PML-N Quaid would be acceptable to him.

PML-N Quaid has constituted a special committee under senior provincial advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa to work out its recommendation on this matter. The committee will finalize its recommendations within 3 days and submit the report to Mian Nawaz Sharif.

Nawaz: Pan-institutional accountability must

Lahore—Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Quaid Nawaz Sharif has said that accountability of every state institution including army must be carried out through parliament.

He said this while responding to a question of media men regarding extension in the service of General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani as COAS after enquiring the health of PML-N leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi in Lahore General Hospital on Monday.

Nawaz said the PML-N waged a just struggle for good traditions instead of power. We are waging a struggle for strengthening of democratic institutions.

Nawaz remained with Makhdoom Javed Hashmi for some time and expressed good wishes for him. He also inquired from doctors about present health condition of PML-N leader.

The PML-N Quaid told reporters that Makhdoom Javed Hashmi is speedily recovering. He said Makhdoom Javed Hashmi is an asset for the party who not only courageously faced dictatorship but rendered sacrifices for the cause of democracy.

Responding to a question, Sharif said he would never compromise on principles and those who are saying that he would be left alone would see the results in the year 2013. He also recited verses in support of his argument on this occasion.

About the fake degree holders, the PML-N Quaid asked the government to purge fake degree holders from every institution of the country. “The PML-N will never compromise on this issue. If there is any possible threat to us due to the action against the fake degree holders, we don’t care…they must be expelled,” he asserted. He also asked media personnel to expose fake degree holders either they are within government, any institution or even in the media. “Fake degree holders are the black sheep… I request the media to expose such elements,” he said. He also said he had asked the Chairman National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Education Abid Sher Ali to remain committed on the issue and make no compromise.

Regarding passage of resolution against media by the Punjab Assembly, the PML-N leader said no body would be allowed to use PML-N’s platform against media. He said that the media is doing the right job and PML-N fully supports the media freedom. He said that resolution in Punjab Assembly on July 9 was condemnable while appropriate action will be taken against PML-N legislator Sanaullah Mastikhel.

Nawaz had advised Gilani against extending COAS’ tenure

LONDON: Nawaz Sharif’s consistent advice to both Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari not to give extension to COAS Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has failed to get the desired results.

Knowledgeable sources confirmed that every time Nawaz Sharif met either PM Gilani or President Zardari, he did not fail to tell them how he was treated on that fateful night of October 12, 1999 at the hands of the top military commander, whom he had picked after ignoring his senior General Ali Kuli Khan.

The dramatic news of extension in service of the Army chief is said to have come as a major surprise for the Nawaz Camp here in London, as he was not expecting this to happen. He has been telling the media in the past that in his view, General Kayani would not apply for an extension. In his interview with Geo TV in December last year, Nawaz Sharif had said the same thing; he did not think General Kayani would be interested in getting an extension in service. The indirect message for General Kayani was that he should not consider the option of extension and go home with honour and dignity.

Sources revealed that when last year Prime Minister Gilani visited the Sharif brothers at Raiwind, he gave the impression that the military was fully behind him. But Nawaz cautioned him to be more circumspect. He told him that during his second tenure, one day a file was brought to him with the note to allot 25 acres of land in the name of the corps commander, Rawalpindi, who belonged to Faisalabad. When he showed reluctance to sign, his confidant told him there was no harm in granting this favour to a corps commander who might be of some help to his government one day. Nawaz bought his argument and signed the file but was shocked to see on October 12, 1999, the same general walking towards him in the besieged PM House to force him to resign. This same general not only threatened Nawaz but also ensured that he was handcuffed and transported to Karachi in a faulty plane, which took several hours to reach its destination.

Soon after this meeting at Raiwind, Sharif had met President Zardari in Islamabad at a dinner and once again Nawaz narrated to his host how he was betrayed and mistreated by General Musharraf for whom he had gone an extra mile to make him the Army chief. Nawaz also recalled how General Zia treated ZAB. In 1998, Nawaz repeated the mistake of ZAB and appointed Musharraf after ignoring General Ali Kuli and Musharraf too would have liked to send him to the gallows had Bill Clinton not come to his rescue.

The sources said Nawaz had been trying hard to convey to the Gilani-Zardari duo that politicians should not give extension to generals and should only appoint the senior-most army commander as the Army chief, as this would bring professionalism to the Army.

Nawaz had advised Gilani against extending COAS’ tenure

LONDON: Nawaz Sharif’s consistent advice to both Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari not to give extension to COAS Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has failed to get the desired results.

Knowledgeable sources confirmed that every time Nawaz Sharif met either PM Gilani or President Zardari, he did not fail to tell them how he was treated on that fateful night of October 12, 1999 at the hands of the top military commander, whom he had picked after ignoring his senior General Ali Kuli Khan.

The dramatic news of extension in service of the Army chief is said to have come as a major surprise for the Nawaz Camp here in London, as he was not expecting this to happen. He has been telling the media in the past that in his view, General Kayani would not apply for an extension. In his interview with Geo TV in December last year, Nawaz Sharif had said the same thing; he did not think General Kayani would be interested in getting an extension in service. The indirect message for General Kayani was that he should not consider the option of extension and go home with honour and dignity.

Sources revealed that when last year Prime Minister Gilani visited the Sharif brothers at Raiwind, he gave the impression that the military was fully behind him. But Nawaz cautioned him to be more circumspect. He told him that during his second tenure, one day a file was brought to him with the note to allot 25 acres of land in the name of the corps commander, Rawalpindi, who belonged to Faisalabad. When he showed reluctance to sign, his confidant told him there was no harm in granting this favour to a corps commander who might be of some help to his government one day. Nawaz bought his argument and signed the file but was shocked to see on October 12, 1999, the same general walking towards him in the besieged PM House to force him to resign. This same general not only threatened Nawaz but also ensured that he was handcuffed and transported to Karachi in a faulty plane, which took several hours to reach its destination.

Soon after this meeting at Raiwind, Sharif had met President Zardari in Islamabad at a dinner and once again Nawaz narrated to his host how he was betrayed and mistreated by General Musharraf for whom he had gone an extra mile to make him the Army chief. Nawaz also recalled how General Zia treated ZAB. In 1998, Nawaz repeated the mistake of ZAB and appointed Musharraf after ignoring General Ali Kuli and Musharraf too would have liked to send him to the gallows had Bill Clinton not come to his rescue.

The sources said Nawaz had been trying hard to convey to the Gilani-Zardari duo that politicians should not give extension to generals and should only appoint the senior-most army commander as the Army chief, as this would bring professionalism to the Army.

Nawaz enquires about health of Javed Hashmi

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday enquired about the health of party's senior leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, who is suffering from brain hemorrhage.

Nawaz Sharif, who is presently in London, telephoned the family members of the veteran politician and assured them of the best medical facilities.

He also gave special directives to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif about treatment of Hashmi.

The PML-N Quaid appealed to the nation to pray for early recovery of Javed Hashmi.

Pakistan needs officers like Leghari: Nawaz

ISLAMABAD – PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif, Sunday, took serious exception to the PPP-led government’s “coercive and intimidating tactics” against the HEC Chairman Dr Javed Leghari and warned that any attempt to destabilise and undermine the democratic order would meet an irresistible opposition that would ultimately frustrate the government’s conspiracies.
“I warn the government to refrain from its threatening conduct against a dutiful officer who has set examples of truthful working in evaluating academic degrees of lawmakers that ought to be emulated by all government officials in discharge of their duties”, PML-N Chief said in a statement issued on Sunday.

He said his party was fully alive to the situation and would in no way allow the government to manipulate wrong from the process. Nawaz Sharif was of the view that the way the PPP-led government was using coercive tactics against the HEC chairman speaks high of the vested interests that wanted the HEC serve in the degree assessment process.
He pointed out that the arrest and release of Dr Javed Leghari’s brother Farooq Leghari and attempt to assault his village in Sindh only exposed the government’s designs of exploiting the process to serve vested interests of the government “I understand Mr Javed Leghari has set higher standards of truthful professionalism in refusing to accept the government dictates and work on merit and worthy dispensation alone”, Sharif added. Pakistan, the PML-N chief said, needed officers like Javed Legahri in striking a balance between commendable conduct and wrongdoing for which he deserves the highest praise.
He advised the government to shun its behaviour that points out to deriving certain nefarious political designs out of the degree evaluation process.

Nawaz cheating the nation: Baba

LAHORE: Law Minister Dr Babar Awan has said that PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif is deceiving the nation now by making Sanaullah Mastikhel a scapegoat after passing resolution against the media.

He also stressed the PML-N Quaid to name the real player behind the entire episode against the media rather than shifting the responsibility on a party MPA.Talking to the mediapersons at the Lahore Airport Sunday, the federal minister said the party, which had been blowing the trumpet of clash between the government and institutions, had itself adopted the path of confrontation against media.

He said tolerance level of the “princes of Lahore” had been exposed in this recent incident.Commenting on the PML-N Quaid’s decision to seek resignation from Sanaullah Mastikhel, the PML-N MPA, who moved resolution against the media, Babar Awan said Nawaz Sharif had tried to hoodwink the nation, without realising that camera eye had shown the real picture.

Babar said it was on record and camera was watching the entire proceedings as to who had suspended the rules of business, who announced its adaptation, who changed the agenda and eventually passed the resolution against the media.

He said Mian Sahib should come up with the real person who tried to play trick with the nation rather than making his one MPA a scapegoat. The minister said one must not think of imposing restrictions on the media and making any effort against freedom of expression in democracy. He said there was no provision to withdraw resolution; however, definitely there could be some way out. He said they wanted that media should work with more freedom.

To a query about massive disqualifications of parliamentarians as a result of fake degrees, Babar said it wasn’t going to affect the democratic system, and there would be no mid-term polls even if a large number of MPs were disqualified.

To a question about release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, Babar said he had given in writing a piece of advice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an appeal or use federal sources to look for ways for Dr Aafia’s release or a request for handing her over to Pakistan.

APP adds: The law minister said that the absconder of Sindh should be given a chance of appearance before the court so that he could be tried there. He said if there was any ground for transfer of the case and law was enacted, then cases of President Asif Zardari and his father would have to be transferred (to Sindh). He said Farooq Sattar was tried in Sindh, and he faced it. He reiterated that all PPP leadership is present before today’s courts.

Later, addressing a meeting of women lawyers at the Governor’s House, he said the PPP could not ignore 51 percent of the population which were women. He said the government had launched the largest scheme in the world for the betterment of women in the form of Benazir Income Support Programme, which was supported and appreciated by the World Bank and other organisations of the globe. He said there was no party which had given women due status in the society other than the PPP as it was the PPP that had nominated Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan as first woman governor in Sindh, first lady SHO and first lady attorney general was also appointed during the rule of the PPP.