ID :
13401
Tue, 07/22/2008 - 20:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/13401
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PML-N gives PPP Aug. 15 deadline to save coalition
Islamabad, July 22 (PTI) Former premier Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (P.M.L.-N.) has told the Pakistan People's Party (P.P.P.) that it will remain in the ruling coalition only if concrete steps are taken by August 15 on four key issues, including the restoration ofdeposed judges and impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf.
The two other issues the P.M.L.-N. has taken up with the P.P.P. are the implementation of the Charter of Democracy signed by the two parties in 2006 and a review of the policyfor the war against terrorism.
The Charter of Democracy envisages wide-ranging political and constitutional reforms and the setting up of a panel toprobe the 1999 Kargil conflict with India.
The P.M.L.-N. conveyed its demands in the wake of Nawaz Sharif announcing recently that he intended to have a "final" round of talks with P.P.P. co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari onresolving differences between the two parties.
"We are extremely disappointed with the performance of the coalition so far," a close aide of Sharif was quoted as saying by The News daily. The aide said Sharif had consulted key P.M.L.-N. leaders and friends and made up his mind toleave the coalition if the present situation persists.
"This is an 'enough is enough-like' situation for the P.M.L.-N.," the aide said, adding his party had "plainlyconveyed its intention" to Zardari through emissaries.
The P.P.P. has been informed by the P.M.L.-N. that the restoration of the judges deposed by Musharraf during last year's emergency tops the list of priorities. The P.P.P. has also been told that the impeachment of the President could notbe delayed any more.
The parliament should be moved to implement the Charter of Democracy and restore the constitution of 1973, theP.M.L.-N. has said. The party has also conveyed to the P.P.P.
its dismay over the launching of military operations in different parts of the North West Frontier Province and tribalareas.
The P.M.L.-N. wants the government to address militancy through dialogue and to bring the current policy forthe war on terror before parliament for a discussion.
The level of trust between the two parties had also been "disturbed badly" following some controversial appointments made in Punjab by the P.P.P.-led federal government. The P.M.L.-N. is in power in the politicallycrucial Punjab province.
Like other coalition partners of the P.P.P., the P.M.L.-N. has expressed concern at key appointments and policy decisions being taken unilaterally by the P.P.P.-ledgovernment.
"Now we can't afford to continue with the status quo," a P.M.L.-N. leader said, complaining that the P.P.P. has takensome controversial administrative decisions.
Though Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has convened a meeting of the P.P.P.'s coalition partners on July 23, theP.M.L.-N. is not pinning much hope on the move.
Sharif is unlikely to attend the meeting and his brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, is expected torepresent the P.M.L.-N.
The two other issues the P.M.L.-N. has taken up with the P.P.P. are the implementation of the Charter of Democracy signed by the two parties in 2006 and a review of the policyfor the war against terrorism.
The Charter of Democracy envisages wide-ranging political and constitutional reforms and the setting up of a panel toprobe the 1999 Kargil conflict with India.
The P.M.L.-N. conveyed its demands in the wake of Nawaz Sharif announcing recently that he intended to have a "final" round of talks with P.P.P. co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari onresolving differences between the two parties.
"We are extremely disappointed with the performance of the coalition so far," a close aide of Sharif was quoted as saying by The News daily. The aide said Sharif had consulted key P.M.L.-N. leaders and friends and made up his mind toleave the coalition if the present situation persists.
"This is an 'enough is enough-like' situation for the P.M.L.-N.," the aide said, adding his party had "plainlyconveyed its intention" to Zardari through emissaries.
The P.P.P. has been informed by the P.M.L.-N. that the restoration of the judges deposed by Musharraf during last year's emergency tops the list of priorities. The P.P.P. has also been told that the impeachment of the President could notbe delayed any more.
The parliament should be moved to implement the Charter of Democracy and restore the constitution of 1973, theP.M.L.-N. has said. The party has also conveyed to the P.P.P.
its dismay over the launching of military operations in different parts of the North West Frontier Province and tribalareas.
The P.M.L.-N. wants the government to address militancy through dialogue and to bring the current policy forthe war on terror before parliament for a discussion.
The level of trust between the two parties had also been "disturbed badly" following some controversial appointments made in Punjab by the P.P.P.-led federal government. The P.M.L.-N. is in power in the politicallycrucial Punjab province.
Like other coalition partners of the P.P.P., the P.M.L.-N. has expressed concern at key appointments and policy decisions being taken unilaterally by the P.P.P.-ledgovernment.
"Now we can't afford to continue with the status quo," a P.M.L.-N. leader said, complaining that the P.P.P. has takensome controversial administrative decisions.
Though Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has convened a meeting of the P.P.P.'s coalition partners on July 23, theP.M.L.-N. is not pinning much hope on the move.
Sharif is unlikely to attend the meeting and his brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, is expected torepresent the P.M.L.-N.
