PML-N, PPP Talks Fail: Nawaz Declares to Quit Coalition Govt
'Pakistan Times' Political Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief, Nawaz Sharif Monday formally announced to quit the Federal Cabinet and that ministers of his party will tender resignations to the Prime Minister today, Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference here after the meeting of the PML-N Central Working Committee, he said: “PPP failed to keep its promise and that is why we have decided to part ways with the coalition government.”

PML-N will not sit on the opposition benches for the time being and extend support to the government on the basis of issues, he announced.

You know very well by now that no breakthrough could be achieved on the issue of restoration of deposed judges after holding marathon negotiations with the Pakistan People’s Party, Nawaz Sharif said.

PPP and PML-N committed in the Murree Declaration to reinstate the deposed judges to November 2, 2007 position by passing a resolution in the Parliament within 30 days of coming into power.

“We left no stone unturned to keep our promise made in the Murree Declaration,” he said, adding, “I had to go to Dubai and then London to hold negotiations with the PPP on the issue but to no avail.”

Our ministers will tender resignations tomorrow, Nawaz Sharif said. He said: “Our standpoint is that the steps taken on November 3 were unconstitutional and illegal."

PML-N Chief was of the view that without independent judiciary the problems of the country cannot be resolved.

He vowed to continue the struggle for restoration of judiciary along with the lawyers community, civil society and people.

“We wanted the coalition government to remain intact but were left with no other choice than to walk out because of the deposed judges not being restored,” Nawaz Sharif argued.

He said: “Although no longer part of the government, we will never be part of any conspiracy against it.”

He said PML-N neither accepts pressure from US nor from any other outside country. Our decisions always reflect the aspirations of the people of Pakistan, he added.

President PML-N, Shahbaz Sharif, Javed Hashmi and Raja Zafrul Haq were also present on the occasion.

Details

All the nine federal ministers of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) are to resign in accordance with Monday’s decision of the party announced by its Quaid Nawaz Sharif.

Sharif told a news conference the ministers would go to the PM House on Tuesday and submit their resignations to Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani.

Among those resigning will be Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, who has been busy with preparation of the next budget for fiscal 2008-2009.

The others are Communication and Food and Agriculture Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, Commerce Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Science and Technology Minister Tehmina Daultana, Defence Production Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, Education Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Railways Minister Sardar Mehtab Ahmed and Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique.

They had taken oath as minister in 24-member federal cabinet on March 31, five days after Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani was sworn in as prime minister.

Altaf appeals Nawaz

Meanwhile, Muttahida Quami Movement Chief Altaf Hussain Monday appealed PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif for not quitting the coalition government.

In a statement from London, Altaf Hussain said that country was passing through a critical time and faces internal as well as external threats. People were dying by hunger and country was facing crucial financial problems.

He said that in this situation Nawaz Sharif should follow the policy of 'Give and Take' and solve the problems including the judges' issue.

He observed that foreign powers could take advantage of the situation if we did not show unity and political wisdom.

He further said that instead of being emotional, we should try to save the country from these internal as well as external threats.●