PML-N suggests judicial commission’s formation through consensus in Parliament

The ruling party has proposed that a judicial commission to investigate allegations of massive riggings in the general elections should be constituted through an act of Parliament after consensus with other political parties in both Houses and not by an ordinance. The party has refused to accept Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI’s) demand for the prime minister’s resignation.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s written response to PTI’s proposals to resolve the current political impasse stated that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has already proposed that the commission should comprise three judges of the Supreme Court, who would be nominated by the chief justice of Pakistan.
The judicial commission will reportedly have all powers of a Civil and Criminal Court. The response says that issues before the commission are very serious, important and complicated and evidence of witnesses in respect of such issues should be properly recorded and examined.
The judicial commission may be required to submit its report in thirty days or within such time as it may determine. The report shall be a public document and all its findings shall be binding and enforceable.
PML-N has also agreed in principal to the constitution of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) as proposed by PTI besides agreeing in principal to the proposals regarding the balanced composition of the JIT and that the head of the JIT may be appointed after consultation with all concerned.
PML-N has also agreed, without casting any aspersions on the present heads, that non-partisan professionals shall be appointed as heads of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Election Commission of Pakistan secretary after consultation with all concerned.
Citing several reasons and arguments, PML-N’s response states that the proposed “test” for determining the occurrence of “rigging” is unacceptable.
The response states that if the final report of the judicial commission confirms rigging allegations then the National Assembly would be dissolved and a caretaker cabinet will be appointed in accordance with the Constitution and in consultation with the all concerned, including PTI.
The report states that members of ECP can only be removed in the manner prescribed in Article 209 of the Constitution.
PML-N has pointed out that Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms has been given three months to complete its work and the committee may be asked to expedite its work.
PML-N has also agreed to the suggestion that a sub-committee of experts may be constituted to assist the parliamentary committee in preparation of drafts.
PM’S RESIGNATION IS OUT OF QUESTION:
PML-N has once again categorically stated that the question of the Prime Minister’s resignation does not arise.
The ruling party has out-rightly disregarded the arguments of PTI in this regard terming them against the Constitution, law, facts and morals.
The response states that this demand “unfortunately” casts doubts on the independence of the SC judges who will be members of the judicial commission.
The party’s response says there is no need for establishing a Supreme Monitoring Council as the judicial commission would be fully empowered to pass necessary directions regarding all issues relating to determination of its Terms of Reference.
Regarding proposals for Code of Conduct during the interim period, PML-N has opined that the code may formulated after consultation with all political parties and implemented immediately.
The response adds that all agreed terms shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the Constitution and the law.

PML-N adopts wait-and-see policy in KP

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter, has adopted a wait-and-see policy and is closely watching political developments in Islamabad before formulating any strategy for change in the province.

Though the opposition parties, including PML-N have tabled a no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, it is a pre-emptive move to save the provincial assembly from dissolution.

“The party has set eyes on the developments in Islamabad and will adopt any strategy in consultation with all the political forces. Since all the political parties in the country have joined hands to foil conspiracies against the state’s integrity, democracy and constitution; that’s why future planning depends on the political developments on federal level,” said PML-N provincial president Pir Sabir Shah.

He said the party would follow the central leadership’s directives and decision would be taken in consultation with other political forces in the province.It’s a good omen that for the first time in the history of Pakistan, all the political parties have a joint stand against attacks on the parliament and state institutions and have foiled the conspiracies to derail democracy and abrogate the Constitution, he added.

He said the same strategy would be evolved in KP to save democracy. The no-confidence motion was tabled by the joint opposition and further decision on it would be taken with proper consultation in the background of developments atnational level, he informed. “Our struggle is for democracy and the main objective is to protect democracy and strengthen the state and Constitution, for which all the political forces have a firm commitment,” he stated.

However, he expressed the confidence that things were going in right direction and a positive outcome was expected. “The unity among all political parties is a sign of maturity, which would yield positive results in the future,” he said, adding that at provincial level consultations with other political parties were going on and future strategy would depend on the developments at national level.

The PML-N leaders in the province are too cautious and so far avoided any confrontation with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Political temperature in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did not remain high unlike Punjab despite the fact that the party has the slot of governorship in the province. The party even rejected the proposals of toppling the PTI-led government in the last one and a half years.

 

PML-N and PPP in fresh spat over Ch Nisar comments

ISLAMABAD: The cordial environment in the joint sitting of parliament evaporated on Friday when outbursts of PPP’s stalwarts Atizaz Ahsan and Khursheed Shah opened the floodgates of criticism against Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan by accusing him of stabbing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the back.
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, a PML-N stalwart, invited the wrath of the opposition leaders Aitzaz Ahsan and Khursheed Shah in the Senate and National Assembly, respectively, after he levelled serious allegations against Aitzaz of being a “spokesman of the land mafia” on Thursday. The joint sitting of parliament saw bashing of Nisar first by Khursheed Shah and then Aitzaz, both of whom criticised him for levelling “dirty charges” and accusing him of destabilising the government at a time when all the opposition parties had extended unconditional support to it “for the sake of democracy”.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s apology on the floor of the House did not stop Aitzaz Ahsan from speaking against the minister, although he appreciated his gesture of seeking an apology. “Prime minister can apologise but his interior minister is not ready to do it,” Aitzaz said while lambasting Nisar. The PPP leader asked the prime minister to look into his ranks and determine who is his own and who is bent upon destabilising the government.
Aitzaz and Nisar also resorted to badmouthing each other. Party colleagues kept trying to calm down Nisar, who left the House, apparently for not being allowed to speak on the floor of the House. In his speech studded with Urdu verses, Aitzaz declared that he would not be scared through “strong-arms tactics”. About the allegation of being a spokesman of the land mafia Aitzaz asked whether it was a signal towards Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry because he represented them in different cases in the courts.
Aitzaz pointed out that as soon as the government came out of pressure after the crisis seemed to be heading towards a resolution, the body language of the interior minister had changed. “They looked tired and exhausted for fifteen days when the protesting parties were exerting pressure on them and they were in search of support,” he said. “You people are not out of the crisis yet and have started behaving arrogantly,” Aitzaz remarked over the ministers’ behaviour. He suggested Prime Minister Nawaz reshuffle his cabinet and induct new and talented people.

PML-N for dissolving NA if rigging proved

ISLAMABAD- Talks between the ruling PML-N and PTI remained inconclusive over question of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation while no session of dialogue was held with PAT on Friday.
A team led by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar met senior leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and categorically rejected their demand of PM’s resignation saying it has no legal, factual or moral basis.
Dar added, this demand is unfortunate as it also casts serious doubts on the independence of the Supreme Court judges who will be members of the Judicial Commission, which would investigate allegations of rigging in the past general elections.
Talking to media persons shortly after the talks, both sides however claimed substantive progress without any explanation. “There has been tangible progress in talks between the government and PTI negotiating teams,” Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi told reporters. They said both sides proactively discussed the drafts exchanged by the two sides for resolution of the political crisis.
Dar said PTI had given a written proposal and the PML-N gave its response yesterday. “Today our talks were focused on these drafts and we are trying to forge consensus.” He said the two sides would again meet Saturday and expressed the hope to conclude the dialogue process at the earliest.
Senator Dar said that his party has submitted its written response to PTI about its proposals. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz wants that proposed judicial commission should be constituted through the Act of Parliament after consensus with other political parties in both Houses, and not through an ordinance, he added.
In its para-wise written response the PML-N said that proposed the judicial commission should comprise three judges of the Supreme Court to be nominated by the chief justice. As the JC would have all powers of a Civil and Criminal Court, therefore the PML-N cannot agree that the proceedings of the commission should be summary in nature, it said, adding that issues before the commission are very serious, important and complicated and evidence of witnesses in respect of such issues requires to be properly recorded and examined.
The PML-N has agreed in principle to constitution of joint investigation team (JIT) as proposed by PTI. It has also agreed in principle to the proposals regarding the balanced composition of the JIT and that the head of the JIT may be appointed after consultation with all concerned.
The ruling party has also agreed, without casting any aspersions on present incumbents, that non-controversial, non-partisan professionals shall be appointed as heads of Nadra, FIA and Election Commission of Pakistan after consultation with all concerned.
The response said, the Judicial Commission may be required to submit its report in 30 days (as demanded by PTI) or within such time as it may determine. The report shall be a public document. Its findings shall be binding and enforceable.
Citing several reasons and arguments, the response of PML -N says the proposed “Test” for determining occurrence of “Rigging” is unacceptable. It says if the final report of the judicial commission affirms allegations of rigging then the national assembly would be dissolved and a caretaker cabinet appointed in accordance with the constitution and in consultations with the all concerned including PTI. (However) members of the election commission can only be removed in the manner prescribed in Article 209 of the constitution.
PML-N has pointed out that Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms has been given three months to complete its work and the committee may be asked to expedite its work. The party is agreeable to the suggestion that an experts’ sub-committee may be constituted to assist the parliamentary committee in preparation of drafts.
It further said there is no need for establishing Supreme Monitoring Council, as the judicial commission would be fully empowered to pass necessary directions regarding all issues relating to determination of its Terms of Reference. Regarding proposal for Code of Conduct during interim period, PML-N has opined that the code may be formulated in consultation with all political parties and implemented immediately.

Deadline expires: Only 25 political parties including PML-N submit asset details to ECP

Election symbols will not be allocated to political parties failing to submit their asset details.

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Only twenty five out of two hundred and eighty nine registered political parties have submitted details of their assets to the Election Commission of Pakistan on Saturday, Dunya News reported.
According to ECP, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI), Awami National Party (ANP), Awami Watan Party (AWP) and Jamaat-e-Islami were among the 25 parties that submitted details of their accounts and assets.
Other 264 political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) have not submitted their asset details.
On July 4, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had asked all political parties to file details of their assets by August 29.
Under Article 13 of the Political Parties Order, 2002, every political party was bound to submit to the Election Commission within 60 days from the close of each financial year a consolidated statement of accounts of the party, duly audited by a chartered accountant.
The Commission has clarified that political parties which fail to submit their annual statement of accounts in terms of Article 13 of the said Order or fail to submit the certificate with regard to intra-party election in terms of Article 12 of the said order shall not be entitled to obtain election symbols.

Fresh dialogue offer: Government ready to accept ‘overwhelming’ demands, says Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Signalling its readiness to accept even the ‘overwhelming’ demands of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), the federal government on Friday renewed its invitation to the two parties for meaningful dialogue.
“We are ready to accept their [PTI and PAT’s] overwhelming demands,” Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said at a news conference in Islamabad.
The statement came with a caveat, however. “We are willing to accept all demands, as long as they lie under the government’s domain and the ambit of the Constitution.”

Talking to reporters, Nisar once again urged PTI Chairman Imran Khan and PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri to engage the government in talks. He assured them that guarantors could be brought in to implement any points agreed upon between the government and the protesting parties during a possible dialogue process.
Nisar hinted that the government may acquiesce to PTI and PAT’s demand, and remove some of the shipping containers blocking entry and exit routes in Islamabad. However, he said this would mean carrying out enhanced security checks at entry and exit points across the twin cities.
Both PTI and PAT have demanded the removal of containers from the capital and claim these roadblocks, rather than their sit-in protests, are causing inconvenience to the public.
Accusing PTI and PAT of violating their earlier written agreements with the Islamabad Capital Territory administration assuring they would not enter the federal capital’s Red Zone, the minister warned the heads of the protesting parties against disrupting law and order.
“Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri will be held responsible in case of any untoward incident,” Nisar said. He added that he would send officials from his ministry to get this assurance from the chiefs of the two parties in writing.
The minister also warned that anyone who tried to force his or her way through security checkpoints and blockaders would be sternly dealt with by security forces.
Nisar once again cautioned PTI and PAT against serious security threats to their rallies. Quoting intelligence reports ‘from the highest military quarters’, he said two suicide bombers have already entered the capital.
The minister told reporters that he was against letting protesters enter the Red Zone. “Marchers [from PTI and PAT] were only allowed to stage sit-ins on Constitution Avenue because of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s intervention,” he said.
He denied reports that the Islamabad inspector general (IG) was removed because he declined to obey government orders to stop protesters from entering the Red Zone. “The IG had applied for a leave a long time ago. It was only accepted now,” he said.
Nisar also said Premier Nawaz’s frequent meetings with his brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, had nothing to do with the current political situation.
‘No magnetic ink in future’
During the news conference, Nisar claimed the idea of using magnetic ink in elections had failed and said no such ink would be used in future.
“This whole idea of using magnetic ink was wrong. It has never been used anywhere in any country. It was not used in any elections in Pakistan in the past nor will it be used it in the future.”
He claimed the ink only provided a brief window of time to verify thumb impressions. This window had already expired, he said.

Show of strength: PML-N workers rally in support of Nawaz

RAWALPINDI:  Workers of the Rawalpindi chapter of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) made their presence felt on Saturday by taking out a rally on Benazir Bhutto Road to express solidarity with their embattled party leader.

The rally, which set off from the Rawalpindi Press Club and culminated at Committee Chowk, was attended by scores of party workers and local PML-N leadership. PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi led the rally.
“We are here to record our peaceful protest to express solidarity with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. We will not tolerate any illegal step from any quarter, including the protesters, to oust the government,” said PML-N city president Sardar Nasim, while addressing participants.
PML-N local leaders, including MNAs Malik Ibrar, Tahira Aurangzeb, Seema Mohiuddin Jameeli, MPA Raja Hanif, former MNA Haji Pervez Khan, Malik Shakeel Awan and Chaudhry Sarfaraz Afzal also participated in the rally.
PML-N activists were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of Sharif.
“How can an elected prime minister step down and give in to the so-called pressure of a handful of people,” asked Nasim.
He said it was their leadership’s positive gesture and sagacity that protesters were allowed to stage sit-ins in the Red Zone. “This doesn’t mean that they can go on packing up the whole system.”
When asked why the rally was organised after a lapse of seven days, he said the party leadership had restrained them from taking out protest rallies at this critical juncture. “But the workers pressured the local leadership to allow them to organise a peaceful rally.” Aurangzeb said the prime minister will not step down and will complete his five-year term.
“The entire nation is backing the prime minister so why should he resign,” she said, advising Imran Khan to focus on Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where his party is in power instead of demanding the prime minister to step down.
The garrison city is considered a stronghold of the PML-N. In the 2013 general elections, the party lost only one seat — NA-55 — where Imran Khan defeated Hanif Abbasi.