We today bear witness to an extraordinary event. Seldom does a moment come in history of mankind when the truth stands so clear from the error. The energy that has been released by the People of Pakistan today is reminiscent of the sacrifices, hardship, and dedication which our nation unleashed for the regaining of our sovereignty and our independence in 1947. Just as challenges were before us during our independence struggle, just as threats were abundant following independence; Today, as the clock slowly ticks and the nation is overjoyed with the good news, it is only natural for feelings of euphoria and jubilation to sweep our minds. We must, however, sit back in introspection and ask ourselves some pertinent questions. Because even though there is reason for optimism, danger lurks ahead of us. We must rise to occasion and defeat these threats. The questions I am going to pose and the answers we find for them will help us chalk the future which is needed to meet and satisfy the rising aspirations of a glorious people, namely the People of Pakistan.

Most of us are celebrating the restoration of the judiciary. Some of us are hopeful that this victory will mean the judiciary will remove the politically motivated Dogar Court rulings on the disqualification of the Sharif brothers. Some of us are celebrating the success of the Long March as a genuine step towards realizing the essence of a genuine democracy in Pakistan. Almost all of us, however, recognize that today the audacity of our collective hope has prevailed against overwhelming odds. I, for one, never truly supported the idea of the restoration of the chief justice because I felt a judge who accepted the ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ and became a PCO judge in 1999, which in fact validated Musharraf’s coup, was and is guilty of his part in over-throwing a democratically elected government. This is the same reason why every time in the stormy year of 2007 when Imran Khan spoke of his utter dislike of Pervaiz Musharraf, I would always be nonchalant towards his views because I was aware that Imran Khan had welcomed Pervaiz Musharraf’s coup in 1999. Now that Chaudhry Iftikhar Mohammad has been reinstated, does he not think it would be the right thing for him to stand on national television and apologize to the People of Pakistan for his part in validating Musharraf’s coup a decade ago? Shall we not have the same expectation from Imran Khan and so many other personalities who accepted the validity of the coup? What unfolded in 1999 was not just the toppling of a democratically elected government, it was a direct attack on the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Suddenly activating a conscience in 2007 and standing up to a dictator does not wash away the sins which were cast in the past.

Musharraf may have had intentions to steer the country out of crisis in that dark year of 1999, but the consequences of his actions was the derailment of the constitution. Anyone who supported his actions must apologize to themselves and to the country. Do the Sharif brother’s remember that during their last government, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Sajjad Shah, was attacked by supporters of the PML-N while he was in the Supreme Court of Pakistan? Do the Sharif brother’s remember that it was they who placed Sindh under Governor Rule for 11 months? These may be inconvenient facts but they are factual and the truth nonetheless. Redemption is not through tokenisms or mere speak, it is through genuine change in thought and action. The burden of guilt is as fiery as it was the day the transgression was committed as it is today.

Today, Nawaz Sharif, the Chief Justice, Imran Khan, and the people who broke the rule of Musharraf and restored our judiciary, need to cleanse the guilt which rests on their shoulders. Come on the television and tell us that you made mistakes in the past, that you are sorry for not maintaining the correct moral precedent, and that you will now work tirelessly to uphold, defend, and strengthen the Constitution of Pakistan, a task you failed in the past. Right now, I too am euphoric for I feel a vibrant change is in the offing. But I am cautious. How real can this change be if it comes to our knowledge that the political parties which supported the cause of the judiciary only did so because it was expedient to do so and not because it was the right thing to do? We, the people, would be crestfallen. Our rising expectations would be given another blow and the idea of a developed, powerful, democratic, and stable Pakistan would seem further from reach. Do not betray our aspirations, do not betray the tide which has brought a spring of change to our country.

The opportunistic and wilful Zardari realized his political miscalculation and has finally decided to honour, at least in principle, the idea that the judiciary has to be reinstated. This was a commitment which the late Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had agreed to. Whether he fulfils his pledge to his country and honours the commitment made by our national leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto will only seen once the Charter of Democracy is enacted in letter and spirit. Zardari has failed to keep up the spirit of reconciliation which the Sharif brothers offered him. The country has lost billions in the past month due to his undemocratic actions and his initial summersault on the restoration of the judiciary. Zardari must decide whether he is occupying the office of the presidency for the interests of the PPP or for the national interest. What would he choose when national interest and PPP interest collided? His pre-meditated actions between 25th February 2009 and reluctance to take the national interest on board are a clear indication for all those who wish to see it.

People of Pakistan, there are challenges before us. The colossal size of these threats is vast. But we do have the capacity to turn the tide in our favour. We must take a principled stand. We must be ready to die for our constitution. We must be prepared to offer sacrifices for the cause of our national struggle. Pakistan is bigger than the PML-N, PPP, MQM, etc. Pakistan is not about a Bhutto dynasty or a Sharif clan. Pakistan is not about the feudal-minded establishment which has for far too long held back the flames of hope we carry in our hearts and our minds. Pakistan is about the 170 million dreams, aspirations, expectations, values, collective sense of appropriation, harmony of our civilization’s ethos and shared desire for success, strengthening of our territorial integrity, the growth and strength of our national economy and trade, the power of our ideas to ameliorate our appalling state of affairs, the test of our patriotism; the ideal of Pakistan is one of hope and one of building a great Pakistan which is a light in the comity of nations. The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the only true vanguard we possess to propel the cradle of our dreams to reality. The expressions in our constitution are bigger than any temporal authority.

I would like to be the first citizen who practices my own advice to our esteemed political and apolitical leaders. I apologize for supporting the coup of General Musharraf in 1999 but I was of tender age and naive thought. His system was neither sustainable nor ultimately beneficial in the ultimate sense. Our constitution, if we are to follow it in letter and spirit, it will give us the capacity, the courage, the strength, the inspiration, and the sense of commitment we need to manifest the glory, stability, scientific prowess which Pakistan and her glorious people rightfully deserve. Now that the wreaths and garlands have been placed for the success our nation has achieved, it is now time to use the collective energy of our people to address the economic crisis, to ensure food security, to provide water and job security, and to build a modern, democratic, progressive, and enlightened Pakistan. These are the real challenges which the audacity of our collective hope must address. This ideal can only be realized once we accept that the truth stands clear from the error, and anything which is ultra-vire of our Constitution is not just unacceptable, it is unbearable.

Yousaf Raza Gillani’s early in the morning address to the nation restoring the remaining including the Chief justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chowdhary was a sigh of relief to the nation. Alas, President Zardari’s advisors could not foresee the repercussions of his decisions not to restore CJ and imposition of Governor rule and he had to see this day. The same mistake was made of the aide of Gen. Musharraf on 9 march 2007 when they advised him to sack the very judge who was lauded by millions in the country for his fairness and bravery. In any event, in the end common sense prevailed and politics won on the day. PM’s decision to seek review of the decision of Supreme Court of 25 February 2009 is the key to promote tolerance in the state, and harmony amongst provinces. This review will also keep the little left respect of the supreme court intact too, as parliamentary action would have promoted confrontation between both. This is the victory of the whole nation which is alive and conscious of the situation it is in, and the whole nation including all section of society whether political workers, civil society, media, lawyers, and lay men, women, and children deserve to be applauded for their forbearance and free expression of their will by participating in the long march.

One must wonders that due to lack of foresightedness, the rulers provided an opportunity to the slept lion Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to show his bravery and defiance on principles, and popularity which is devastating for the Govt at this early juncture of their 5 years slot. But it will be unjust if we forget the steadfast lawyer leadership, UN intimidated media and robust civil society with thousands of unnamed supporting characters who brought the rulers to their knees and won fruit on the day of long march. They stood on the ground like they did on 3 November 2007 at the time of emergency. Govt of Gillani deserves to be appreciated for listening and meeting public demands, respecting the will of the people as Lawyers and civil society were on streets since 9 March 2007. Army command deserves applause for nipping their lust for power when they bore patiently with the inefficiencies of our today’s rulers who blindfolded threw the nation into a turmoil and flared the hatred when the spirit of reconciliation was in the air. This is the time when Pakistani people have a chance to regroup and make this country a mirror image of the aspirations of millions of those who decided to join this new land at the time of independence in 1947 in a dream come true style by sacrificing nearly 4 million souls. Nation was jubilant in May 1998 after becoming an atomic power and now the nation has a cause to be overjoyed after seeking victory on a principled point of restoration of Chief Justice who defied a military dictator.

If the political forces wishes to move forward from the stalemate of 25 February, then implementation of ‘Charter of Democracy’ and free judiciary are they key ingredients to restore true democracy in Pakistan and this can only restrict military intervention(s) and nip the ‘law of necessity’ in the bud. 20 July 2007 when CJ was restored first, I wrote that one judge does not secure independence of judiciary but is a first step towards right direction. We saw the lawyers reaction, when necessary expectations were not met when SC gave a decision dismissing dual offices case against the Qazi Hussain Ahmed & orders were torn apart. I still hold the same view and political will, consultation and joint collaboration is required to effect this process to conclusion. The whole institution of judiciary needs to be revamped and If these dreams are to be translated in reality then spade work by Supreme Court Bar Association must start now to give a road map on crucial topics such as appointment of judges via non political and unbiased commission, non controversial non political future lawyers who in the end become judges, politics free bar, training of lawyers and judges, accountability of top judiciary, financial autonomy of top judiciary, protection of judges, and separation of administration from judiciary coupled with safe guards to prevent judiciary turning into another military style unbridled power which parallels the executive . These are the questions which needs to be addressed by Lawyer representatives so that Parliament could do positive legislation in days to come.

It was disturbing when we saw a popular political party taking similar actions what we witnessed on 12 May 2007 by a military dictator i.e imposing s.144, blocking channels, exclusion orders for certain leaders, closing borders and usage of containers are a few examples of many. Suspension basic human rights is against the law of the land and international law and Society endorsed and encouraged the freedom of expression, and tolerance as enshrined in Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution (art15,19, and 25) and nation considered the right of people of free speech as inalienable that is why they came in huge numbers when channels were blocked. The welcoming role of sensibles of PPP including Raza Rabbani, Aitzaz Ahsan, Safder Abbassi and Sherry Rehman, Minister of Information who resigned at the time when curbs against Pakistani media were directed acted like a fresh air in a very suffocated atmosphere. It is for the PPP to decide to bring those to books who were truly responsible to bring the country to a total standstill and for adverse administrative measures and imposition of Governor rule, though the public has given their verdict already.

In the current geo political situation in the country option of reconciliation with the people and political forces of Pakistan is the best route possible to curb radicalization and invasion of extremism and as current situation desires all heads of constitutional tracheotomy to observe extreme patience and wisdom and be visionary to avoid conflicts which have serious repercussions for the state of Pakistan. Government of the day must operate a policy of listen and learn and ensure implementation of the ‘Charter of Democracy’ in its letter and spirit, as that’s the dying wish an pledge to the nation of their leader of Shaheed Mohtarma BenNazir Bhuttoo, and a recipe to avoid disaster. The whole nation needs an appreciation for their patience, bravery and ruler’s mischiefs. Well done Pakistan.

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said that the president consented and let PM Gilani to restore deposed judges’ after reading the writing on the wall. He congratulated the whole nation thanking people, political parties and lawyers over government’s decision to restore all deposed judges including Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.

Talking to media at Lahore Airport Shahbaz Sharif said that all segments of society participated in the lawyers long march adding that the people wants the country which was dreamt by Quaid and Iqbal. He said hoped the restoration of deposed judges would lead country towards the progress and prosperity.

He said the people wants a country where justice is accessible for all the people of the country equally not the one where it is sold. He hailed the role of Prime Minister Gilani in the process of restoration of deposed judiciary.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the whole nation was waking when the long march was in progress from Lahore towards Islamabad in the leadership of Nawaz Sharif. He said that the delay in the decision to restore deposed judges would have been harmful for the country.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the 16th March would be written in golden words in the history of the country adding that his party would not let this golden moment to go in vain. Commenting on not lifting governors rule Shahbaz said that to attain Punjab government was not their goal adding that their goal was to achieve independent judiciary for the people of the country. He thanked the role of media over its positive role for the independence of judiciary in the country.-SANA

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab President Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa has said that the restoration of pre- November 3 judiciary is the success of whole nation and defeat of those who were terming the long march as the war for Punjab government. He said PML- N Quaid Nawaz Sharif participated in the long march after ignoring all dangers represented the sentiments of whole nation.

Talking to private TV channel, he said that the people who participated in the long march were 75 % youngsters which was a good sign for the future of the country. He hailed the decision of government to restore the deposed judges, adding that though it is a late decision but it is a right decision.

Zulfiqar Ali Khosa said that the present decision came out in the result of public pressure. He said that the whole country participated in the lawyers struggle for the restoration of deposed judges sacked by Musharraf.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: leaders of the lawyers’ movement hailed the PM Yousaf Raza Gilani decision of restoration of all deposed judges including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Addressing a press conference Supreme Court Bar Association President Ali Ahmed Kurd said that the lawyers’ struggle which continued for last two years for the restoration of deposed judges finally succeeded adding that the reason behind the success of lawyers’ movement is their peaceful struggle.

Justice (Retd) Tariq Mehmood hailed the restoration of deposed chief justice and other judges adding that he had full confidence about the success of deposed judiciary.

Justice (Retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed also hailed the government decision showing some reservations about the mode of restoring deposed judiciary.

Meanwhile, another lawyers’ leader Athar Minalla hoped that the government would prove from its actions that the judiciary is independent in the country. He said that to bury the ideology of necessity forever is the need of hour adding that it would be injustice with democracy if the November 3 acts were indemnified by the parliament.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: PML-N leader Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has expressed the confidence that restoration of judiciary would help provide real justice to common man and ensure promotion of democracy and strengthening of institution.

Addressing a public meeting at Gujranwala on Monday, he announced termination of long march and said the nation has achieved the target. He congratulated President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to bring out the country from the long crisis.

He said all political forces including Jamat-e-Islami, Tehrik-e-Insaf and lawyers community are on board in this decision. Mian Nawaz Sharif assured the President and the Prime Minister that his party would work with PPP for implementation of Charter of Democracy.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamaruz Zaman Kaira has said that the government wants to resolve the ongoing political crisis through dialogue. According to a private TV channel, addressing a press conference here Sunday, he said that President and Prime Minister have given a road-map for restoration of judiciary and to file review petition regarding the Sharif brothers’ case verdict.

Kaira said that long march and sit-in is disturbing the life of common persons in the country. “It is the right of the politicians and every citizen to protest. Freedom of expression, speech and gathering is also the right of everyone. But we have to avoid confrontation in present scenario.”

Kaira said that the government believed in the independence of media and freedom of expression.

“I assured that the government believed in freedom of media and it will not dictate anything to media. Media is free and should remain free as it was the policy of the PPP in the past and will remain the same in future too.”

He said the government is not pressuring the media. However, he urged the media to play a positive and constructive role. Kaira said it will be unjustified to blame President Asif Ali Zardari on the verdict of Supreme Court. The Minister said the government will soon file review petition after receiving detailed verdict of the court.

The government is ready to review whole judicial system under charter of democracy signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, he added. To a question he said the government is ready to form independent commission to review judiciary under Charter of Democracy (CoD).The recommendation of the independent commission will be accepted to the government, he added. To a question he said President Asif Ali Zardari will address the nation if it is required.-SANA

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League N (PML-N) Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif has said no talks with government before restoration of the deposed judiciary. Nawaz Sharif asked the Prime Minister Gilani to come forward to solve the present crisis. He said that President Zardari had not sent him any offer for dialogue adding that there is no secret meeting of Shahbaz Sharif with PM Gilani.

Talking to the senior journalists at his Raiwand Farm, Nawaz Sharif said that he wanted reconciliation among political parties but for this President Zardari must have to fulfill his promises made with PML-N. He said that he wanted that President Zardari to complete his constitutional term of five years but it could not be possible without fulfilling the promises regarding the restoration of deposed judiciary.

He regretted over the behavior of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer adding that restrictions on media and imposition of section 144 could not stop people’s struggle. Nawaz Sharif reiterated his commitment to make success the lawyers’ long march on all costs. He hailed the role of media during the present political crisis in the county adding that his party wanted reconciliation but it would not conducted on the political grounds.

He asked the government to solve the present crisis before the country lead towards the mid-term elections.
Nawaz Sharif said that Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani is trying to solve the present crisis in the country.-SANA

I wrote on 7 September 2008 that the litmus test for Mr. Zardari to prove whether he is an ‘don’ or an originator of a new dawn of democracy in Pakistan depends on his progress on 5 things:
a) how he handles absolute power,
b) his party,
c) chief justice issue,
d) charter of democracy and
e) foreign policy.

Looking at his performance in first 12 months, it is unfortunate that he is trailing on all. He could not father the nation and confined himself to the meager position of his party chairmanship and handles his party petty matters at President House, thus making it virtually impossible to look at PML with the same affection as required by the constitution bring his very office into a conflict & disrepute. He enjoys all the powers which ideally should have been assigned to his party premier, but he did not. Drone attacks and missiles in Fata are still falling randomly, a bitter reality, and he has not taken concrete steps to implement sacred historic charter duly signed by his wife in London on 14 May 2006 which has a hope for the nation in decades to come. He not only backed out on his promises, & written agreements on judiciary, but humiliated the chief justice and went one step ahead by appointing higher court judges on whole sale basis without consensus, and consultation with provincial Govt in question & his partners in COD, thus he violated the charter which can save the Federation and civil rule in the country. He gathered a team of non elected commodity around him and has cornered opposition. He has ordered Governor Rule and let loose his fiery aide in Punjab to blow fire on opposition leaders. First he lost credibility of his words, his faith in democracy and now his respect amongst his peers.

PPP leadership has been enjoying the safe haven of UK and abroad to fight their corruption cases as well as advancing their activity of political and civil rights in Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif was in exile too. Both BB & Nawaz signed a social charter in the end realizing the best way out to bring Pakistan to a viable state of civil rule. PPP always advocated for true democracy in the country. However, once they are in power they are adopting the very unfair means against which political parties have been fighting for last 9 years. They are unwilling to give the opposition the same rights which they were demanding for almost the whole decade for themselves. Ignoring ‘Charter of Democracy’ will wipe out the spirit of reconciliation in Pakistan and will end normal political activity and era of 90’s will return by default. Politicians after seeing off 3 martial laws covering nearly four decades must learn a lesson from history and they must work jointly for rule of law, justice and democracy on the principle of live and let live in the country and initiate joint collaboration on ‘COD’ on emergency basis. If popular politicians are kept out of Parliament, then ultimately decisions will be made on streets which will be tragedy for the State which is in a volatile situation at the moment due to ongoing war on terror, bleak law and order situation where Sri Lankan team left during an unfinished test match and west is advising their citizens not to visit Pakistan, drone attacks laughing at the face of foreign policy, and country’s poverty ridden people with weaker institution(s). In this economic melt down a popular slogan of his govt ‘roti, kapra aur makan’ seems like a dream.

PPP and the Govt must honour the pledges and agreements of its leadership on Chief Justice and Charter of Democracy and Chief Executive should ensure that reconciliation efforts must speed up and must take all actions necessary to invite the opposition to remain in the Parliament and erect a time frame for the implementation of Charter of Democracy. Following urgent actions may send a signal of positive ‘confidence building measures’ and may attempt to solve the tension between both the heavy weights: a) Govt of Pakistan must initiate an action to review the Supreme Court decision and either file a review and or repeal the judgement of SC to show that they have full intentions to respect the opposing leadership in order to bring them to a dialogue; b) Governor rule must end forthwith; and provincial assembly special session is called to allow election of its Parliamentary leader and in this respect a mandate of a major political party PML(N) must be respected; c) 2 November 2007 judges must be restored at once as per agreement of the ruling party of 9 March 2008 to gain respect in the eyes of general public; d) Parliament session must be called immediately to repeal 17th amendment with consensus; and e) A time frame is chalked out to implement the ‘Charter of Democracy’ in its letter and spirit.’ If COD is implemented, then tussle between two may not remain. If the rule of the game are respected, and referees are independent then civil system remains intact, otherwise long term military dictatorship, shorter civilian rule and accountability on the name of corruption will be the legacy these political rulers will leave behind for the generations to come.

I have strong reservation on the role of West too. It is time that Western countries who are ready to broker deals in order to sponsor the imports of defunct leaders to Pakistan must take notice of barring opposition & the plight of deposed Chief Justice and the lawyers movement and they must impress upon Mr. Zardari to honour the pledges and give space to the opposition. If the West fails to make it clear strongly, we may miss the opportunity to have rule of law, justice and democracy in Pakistan for a long period to come which will destabilize the country & struggle for civil rights and will increase militancy and radicalization in the region.

Looking at the performance of Mr. Zardari’s team when his legal eagles are vigorously defending his poorly managed decisions & ordinances, it reminds us the performance of Wasi Zafar, Qayum and Qasuri, in not too distant past, and their fate in the end too. His media team is doing a hard job too and similar to that when we saw Sheikh Rashid, Afghan and Durrani selling a wrong stuff to the nation on the issue of exiled leadership and chief justice. He has not even learnt from the counter protesting rallies of 12 May when his own party was a victim at the hands of violence, and of course, violence breeds intolerance in return. Musharraf could not win even by showing fists and gathering millions with horse dance at Islamabad, as public likes humility and Govts never stage protests and rallies for and against their own performances, its the prerogative of opposition. Political parties must realise that their workers are loose cannons and once they are out they are like swords drawn, and President Zardari is making life difficult for both major parties by remaining partisan and if they are confronted, it will wipe out ever a chance of having a healthy democracy in Pakistan. I am afraid Mr. Zardari could not get out of the shell and remained limited to the spouse status of the former Premier, Be Nazir Bhuttoo, a legendary, remarkable, charismatic leader full of intellect, and astute political sharpness. Alas, we could not see torch bearers of democracy acting as democrats in the end when time came, and Pakistan again stands alone calling out loud for help inviting to the elite, is there anyone who can save Pakistan by following the Quaid e Azam’s command of unity, faith and discipline. I am afraid rulers are on leave.

ISLAMABAD: Terming the movement for independent judiciary as the movement of every Pakistani, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday said that more than 50,000 PTI workers would actively participate in the lawyers, long march on March 12-16.

Addressing a press conference at PTI Central Secretariat after chairing the party CEC meeting here, he said that all political parties termed the steps taken by former president Musharraf on Nov 3, 2007 as unconstitutional which meant that they admitted deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as the constitutional CJ; therefore, there was no reason to keep CJ Iftikhar out of the judicial business.

He asked the government to let the nation know about hurdles in the way of the deposed judges’ restoration saying the government was not reinstating deposed Chief Justice only because of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) issued by former president Musharraf that given indemnity many politicians in corruption cases including President Asif Ali Zardari.

To a question, he said that former president Musharraf tried his level best to convince the deposed CJ for letting him to contest the presidential elections with wearing the uniform but he rejected all his offers; therefore, PTI was supporting the deposed CJ as he gave ray of hope to the nation regarding independent judiciary.

Terming the long march as a part of democracy, he ruled out that it would pose any threat to the current democratic system; however, he made it clear that the government would be retaliated if it used force.

Responding to a question on Swat situation, PTI Chairman said that there was no military solution of Swat and the tribal areas crisis as the army was kept engaged in these areas over last many years but it produced nothing only acceleration in militancy; therefore, the dialogue process must be initiated with in no time as the mass killing of the own citizen was threat to the federation.

PTI was also sending its team from NWFP to hold talks or prepare ground for comprehensive dialogue with the elements that were spoiling peace of the area, Imran added. Earlier, in the CEC meeting it was said that the policies of the government a continuation of former president Musharraf’s era as it had failed to live up to the promises of restoring democracy.

It also said that the restoration of peace in the affected areas must be on the top priority that could be achieved only through meaningful dialogue under the ambit of the constitution and law. The CEC also demanded of the government to provide good governance but also flayed that Pakistan People’s Party instead of providing good governance at the time of extreme economic crisis, it was busy in building unholy alliances.

It is pertinent to mention that former PML-Q leader and Faiz-Ul-Hassan Choan also joined PTI on the occasion. He was the major political figure after Ijaz Khan Jazi who joined the party from Rawalpindi City in recent months.-SANA