Meeting with Zardari can be decisive: Nawaz

LAHORE - PML-N Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has pinned all his expectations on the meeting with PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, to be held in Islamabad, terming it decisive and result-oriented. Being optimistic, he said "I hope to succeed in convincing Zardari that if Murree declaration is not honoured to restore the judges to November-3 position, Musharraf is not impeached, burning issues of spiralling price-hike, loadshedding, flour crisis, joblessness, poverty, law and order situation are not controlled forthwith, public frustration will shoot up which will not augur well for the future of coalition government."

Ruling out any possibility regarding split of coalition government if meeting with Zardari turns to be a failure like other talks in Dubai, London and Pakistan, Nawaz said that he prayed for long life of the coalition set-up.

He challenged Musharraf that if he was true to his claims regarding the performance of his regime as compared to that of coalition government, be should arrange an open debate so that truth and false could be differentiated. PML-N chief said that he was ready for open debate and would prove that Musharraf was a liar and was responsible of all crises confronting the country today.

Nawaz Sharif expressed these views while talking to newsmen along with PML-N President and CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq after the conclusion of a joint session of CWC and Parliamentary committee of the party held at Model Town on Monday. Senior PML-N leaders including Javed Hashmi, Ishaq Dar, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Tehmina Daultana, Sadiqul Farooq, Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, members of CWC and MNAs and MPAs were also present on the occasion.

The PML-N chief further said that joint session of the CWC and Parliamentary committee reviewed the entire situation after 18th February elections. The joint session, he said, also held in-depth deliberations over the agreements signed with PPP on judges' issue, Musharraf impeachment and other matters

He said the meeting had given him complete mandate to hold final talks with PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad on Tuesday (today). He added that during talks with Zardari, he would focus on his letter sent to the PPP head 19 days back. He said that he would persuade Zardari about the severity of the prevailing situation.

"I would inform him that the Murree Declaration, based on judges' restoration and Musharraf impeachment, was not honoured resulting in the PML-N pull out from federal cabinet while PPP leaders also started issuing damaging statements," he added.

He said that "I would also tell him that 4 months have lapsed but no practical step has been taken so far. I would also sensitise him about the people's sentiments, who have started losing patience and showing scepticism over the credibility of coalition government. Moreover, I would inform him that it is high time to set the final directions for the coalition government to end all crises".

Nawaz Sharif said that in the meeting, he would exert pressure on Zardari to take a substantial and prompt step to reinstate the judges and call the session of National Assembly without further delay to decide the impeachment of Musharraf, restore the 1973 Constitution to its original form and enforce the Charter of Democracy singed with PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto.

He added that he would ask Zardari to take urgent measures to resolve the problems regarding price-hike, loadshedding, flour crisis and unemployment. "I would also urge him to celebrate the 61st Independence Day on August 14 with new vigour to renew the spirit of patriotism among the masses," he pointed out.

Nawaz Sharif said that he would also talk about framing a strong mechanism to improve working relationship between the PPP and PML-N to ensure smooth functioning of the coalition government. He deplored the PML-N was not being taken into confidence on any national and international issue despite being a major partner in the coalition government, which created innumerable crises.

About the Minus one and two formula, Nawaz Sharif said that he did not believe on individuals rather he wanted to restore the sanctity of the institutions.

When asked about the possibilities of split of coalition government, he said that if it happened, it would mean to strengthen the hands of dictatorship. On FATA operation, he said that PML-N wanted that every issue should be resolved through dialogue.

To a query regarding threats to his life, the PML-N chief said that he would continue struggle for the welfare of people and such threats would never demoralise him.

Responding another question about ISI, he said that it should be under civil control and its political wing should be abolished. About new elections, he said they should be held on fixed time.