Nawaz remains defiant

LAHORE - PML-N Chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has branded the government's offer to file review petition against the disqualification decision and reinstatement of judges under Charter of Democracy (CoD) as a political stunt for relieving the pressure of 'sit-in' and 'long march'.
"Is still there any credibility of the offers and promises made by the government when the written accords were dishonoured," Nawaz said while talking to TheNation here on Saturday.
Giving no regard to the fresh gesture shown by PPP government to defuse tension, he said now people were not ready to accept any option less than the reinstatement of deposed judges including sacked CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and reversal of November 3 action. "Solution of all crises and problems lies in the success of long march," he asserted.
Earlier, addressing the party leaders and activists at his residence at Model Town, a defiant Nawaz said that tsunami-like enthusiasm among the masses had sealed the success of 'long march' in advance. He said though 24 hours were still left before the launch of long march, yet the thunderous zeal among the people had already assured a successful long march.
"This long march is going to be a milestone in the history of the Pakistan as it will break the status quo and lay down the foundation of change for a prosperous Pakistan," he said. Nawaz said nobody could stop the flood of change and whosever will come its way would be destroyed.
He urged upon the marchers to cross all the hurdles erected by the government to clamp down the march and added that if the hurdles could not be removed at any point, participants of long march would give sit-in over there. He announced his departure along with other party leaders and workers from his Model Town residence to GPO Chowk and to join the lawyers to head towards Islamabad for the historical long march.
Giving final directions to the party workers, he said, "I will stay with you here during the night as I am you and you are I. I might be put into house arrest and picked up. If it so happens, then the march should never be deterred at any cost".
He said long march is a messenger of prosperity. "The responsibility rests on your shoulders. I am ready to march alongside you," he added. "Pakistan is in danger and there are risks all around", while also claiming that the PPP-led government had failed to address poverty, unemployment, ending energy crisis and security situation in the tribal areas and Swat valley.
He said it was the responsibility of every activist and leader to reach Islamabad for making the march a success. He also made an earnest request to all mothers, who are unable to join the long march, to keep praying for the success of long march.
The protest march moving towards its climax from tomorrow onwards, is to press for reinstating judges deposed during the 2007 emergency, setting the stage for a major confrontation with the ruling Pakistan People's Party.
Earlier talking to senior journalists at his residence in Raiwind, Nawaz denied receiving any govt offer to resume dialogue to wriggle out of the political crisis which has hit the country.
'Neither govt has contacted nor submitted any offer to restart reconciliation process,' he said.
However, he said that PML-N was ready to talk but never for political gains but for the reinstatement of deposed judiciary.
He said that only the reinstatement of deposed judges could ensure secure future of Pakistan. He reiterated his resolve that PML-N would join long march and sit-in true letter and spirit.
He directed party leaders and activists to defy restrictions imposed by the govt and 'join hands to change the country's destiny'.
He accused President Asif Ali Zardari of failing to deliver on promises aimed at shutting the door to dictatorship, he said,'we cannot compromise when all institutions were being ruined and the system was on the verge of collapse'.
'We want justice for Pakistan. The Long March has been called to bring in a change in the system and the country', he added.
He further alleged that Pakistan's sovereignty had been compromised and tensions had increased under the PPP-led govt.
He said the PML-N had reluctantly joined hands with the PPP after last year's election but the dreams of a change had been shattered.
Asking people to defy orders and join a Long March to be launched by the lawyers movement, he said this was 'to save Pakistan and its institutions'.
Nawaz has asked Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to play his role and convince President Asif Ali Zardari to defuse the prevailing tension by reinstating pre-November 3 judiciary.
Nawaz said that if the Prime Minister aspired he could now reverse November 3 action.
'The nation and the Opposition would support the Prime Minister whatever steps he takes for reinstatement of the judges', he said, adding, that now it is time that the Prime Minister should play his role.
He said that PM should take clear-cut decision before the Long March in the best interest of the nation.
Nawaz said that the PM was a sincere man and there was no doubt on his intention.
'Although the PM does not have all the powers, but he has the power to reinstate the deposed judges and sack the PCO judges', he added.
He said that if President Asif Ali Zardari was not ready to take this decision due to his personal agenda, the PM should do it now, and he should not worry about his PMship as 'we are with him'.
'We supported PPP in unanimous election of the Prime Minister with good intentions, but we have seen one after another disappointments', he added.
He said that Punjab situation was pre-planned.
He alleged that people of bad character were being appointed as judges, and he gave an example of the recent appointment of the Islamabad High Court Chief Justice.
'If the nation has to be gifted with such judges, it is the bad luck of the nation', he said and added, 'we have to shun this bad luck'.
He said these judges were of state not of the nation, and added that 'we do not accept handpicked judges'.
Meanwhile, former Punjab Governor Ghulam Mustafa Khar and members of PML-Q forward bloc called on Nawaz Sharif in Raiwind.