ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari yesterday called on Pakistan Muslim League headed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to form government in Punjab. Zardari made the call after chairing a meeting of Pakistan People’s Party’s Parliamentary group at the Governor’s House in Lahore. His son and Co-Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Zardari Bhutto also attended the meeting. “We will support PML-N’s provincial government and if the leadership of the party wants the PPP to join a coalition,” Zardari said.

Zardari’s statement came amid reports of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry constituting a larger bench to hear a set of review petitions filed by Federation of Pakistan, Speaker, Punjab Assembly, proposer and seconder of the Sharif brothers in by-elections, Mehr Zafar Iqbal and Shakeel Baig and others. The petitions seek to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision of Feb. 25 in which both PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif were disqualified from holding any public office.

The five-member bench meets today. The bench will also hear a separate application moved by the federal government seeking suspension of the disqualification order of the two brothers till the time it is not decided.

Zardari said setting a good example of tolerance, “we have given full chance to PML-N for the formation of government in Punjab.” The future line of action now depends entirely on the conduct of PML(N) toward PPP, he added.

Zardari said PPP, since its inception, firmly believed in supremacy of the constitution, rule of law, national cohesion, solidarity, sovereignty and promotion of democratic system of government. “The PPP is making all sincere efforts to strengthen democracy in the country. It had rendered record number of sacrifices in the political history of Pakistan, especially the Bhutto family for the restoration and promotion of democracy in the country,” Zardari said.

He reiterated that his party “will leave no stone unturned to promote the politics of tolerance, decency and do away with the politics of confrontation and agitation across the country.” He said following the policy of reconciliation, he announced the lifting of governor’s rule in Punjab during his address to joint session of the Parliament on Saturday.

Bilawal Zardari Bhutto also spoke on the occasion. He categorically endorsed all the policies being pursued by his father. He said the president should be politically strengthened. Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, President PPP, Punjab, Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan, former senior minister Raja Riaz Ahmad and other party stalwarts attended the meeting besides all party MNAs and MPAs.

Reacting to Zardari’s offer, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly said PML-N’s main preference was the implementation of Charter of Democracy which the PPP and PML-N had signed. He said: “If we undo 17th Constitutional Amendment most of the powers will be transferred to Prime Minister’s Office.”
courtesy: Arab News

For one month Punjab Government has become a burning issue for Pakistani Government since Shahbaz Sharif has been brought down from his status of Chief Minister. In this regard Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that People’s Party Co-chairman, President Asif Ali Zardari will decide whether the party will sit on government or opposition benches in Punjab. He said the eyes of the international media are focused over the situation of Punjab. Gilani said he has powers to lift governor rule from the province and whenever he will give advice to the president, the governor rule will be lifted from the province.

Meanwhile A seven-member larger bench has issued notice to the federation during hearing of the petitions challenging Governor’s Rule in Punjab. The court adjourned the hearing of three petitions till Friday. It may be noted that Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Sayed Zahid Hussain on Tuesday reconstituted a full bench for the hearing. The full bench comprises of the CJ LHC Syed Zahid Hussain, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, and Justice Nasim Sikandar, Justice Maulvi Anwar ul Haq, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry and Justice Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan. Earlier, a single bench comprising Justice Asif Saeed Khosa issued notices to the respondents and referred the matter to the CJ for constituting a larger bench. The petitions were filed by advocates Malik Tariq Aziz and Zahid Malik challenging the governor’s rule in Punjab which was imposed by President Asif Zardari on 25th February following the disqualification of Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif.

PML-N has accused Punjab Governor Salman Taseer of using the powers of Chief Minister for which he is not authorized. Addressing a news conference here on Wednesday, PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah and Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa said: “Governor Punjab appointed 16 judges, 150 new administrators in market committees and transferred, and posted around 1000 officials. “Now 40, 000 educators are being hired,” they said. They further told that Inspector General of Punjab Police was given the task to purchase MPAs for PPP while a plan was prepared to blow up the Chenab Bridge during long march. The PML-N leaders asked the Chief Secretary and IG Police not to follow the illegal and unlawful orders of Governor.

Input from Agencies

Finally Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry resumed his office today as Chief Justice. What a country Pakistan is where Chief Justice; Head of the one of the most important pillar of state –Judiciary had to fight for justice. Ironically-out of all major players of today’s political arena – few were not in front but in fight for independent judiciary-all scored good marks.

However a point scoring game is over; where every faction took advantage of this situation regardless of what was the bed they were making for themselves; they will have to lie on it. Fabian Tactics by PML-N while high jacking the Lawyers movement; Pecksniffian phenomenon adopted by the Zardari Inc. while group of four played a role in showing disagreement for one of the major coalition party ultimately abolishing their government in Punjab; or PML-Q association that has become an acid test. In end PML-N had a win-win show as PML-N and Shairfs have gained the popular support in the streets while PPP and President Asif Ali Zardari’s popularity has been corroded by his lack of resilience and understanding the situation. But a time has reached when PML-N has to be politically more skillful to grab complete show.

Punjab-the biggest and richest province of Pakistan is going under political turmoil and stubbornness of few has worseoned the situation including the Governor Salman Taseer. PPP in desire to formulate its government in Punjab tried to ruin whole political structure by toppling the government of PML-N in Punjab. Mian Nawaz Sharif called the decision given by Supreme Court as Presidential Order giving it a personal vengeance shade. Supreme Court decided to disqualify Sharif Brothers restraining them from elections nullifying the status of Shahbaz Sharif as Chief Minister of Punjab.

The political activism for Long March cannot be ignored; it has left strong impact on the political complexion of Pakistan. It is difficult to say and admit but to start on new notes with complete sincerity is more important than rejoicing over the highest scores of victory. Reconciliation efforts from the fronts of government are being made and prime Minister has visited Mian Nawaz Sharif. It is not required to reiterate the points of conflicts between Government and PML-N despite the fact that both form a coalition government in federation and PML-N opted to sit in opposition though. It is believed that PML-Q has given the boot to PPP because of its internal conflicts finding this time to wash their strains and decided to sit in opposition. Cancellation of a meeting between Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Quaid Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has initiated a new round of rumors in political circles; visit of Prime Minister has supported the fact that PPP government is on its knees. It is pertinent to mention that PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat expressed his desire to meet with Nawaz to end the political crisis in Punjab but his proposal regarding formation of all parties government in Punjab were turned down by PML-N President Mian Shahbaz Sharif.

In present scenario no political party alone is capable of formulating government in Punjab; it can be PPP & PML-Q, PPP & PML-N, PML-N & PML-Q or PML-N & Forward Block.. Bearing the facts in mind and politics of turn coats it was evident that it would be more and more PML-N and forward block of PML-Q. But in recent meeting Nawaz Sharif has thrown the ball in Prime Minister Yousaf Raza’s court uttering that PPP had won the toss and they should be given full chance to bat; PML-N would ball and provide chance to people to enjoy this new political cricket; he further added that if Charter of Democracy would be followed in true letter and spirits PML-N would be standing by the PPP government.

Despite the assurance given by the Prime Minister that party with people mandate will be respected in Punjab; Nawaz Sharif along with its rest of party leadership would not be trapped by the ripping-off tactics of President Zardari ; who believes more in personal interest than in national interest. PML-Q; reminiscent of Musharraf era; can still join hands with an autocrat. Had it not been international pressure President Asif Zardari might have subtracted Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. Furthermore President is still not man deem to have faith in. Because he still has Governor Salman Taseer in his basket who cannot help himself by threatening PML-N. He unconstitutionally rejected the idea to hold Punjab Assembly sessions. He along with others is a rotten egg in basket but President Zardari aspires to make a perfume out of him. Similarly Musharraf’s reminiscent PML-Q are playing safe but still cannot be trusted.

It is very much expected that Mian Sahib is enjoying Political Cricket Match and empire would declare him and his team out of series. Leadership of PML-N has the highest scores among people in Pakistan but in bad books of America and west…. So mind “Ps” and ”Qs” Mian Sahib… Rest your close friends believe you have got leadership charisma.

LAHORE: Governor Punjab Salman Taseer has called for an immediate coalition between the three major political parties to form government in Punjab in a bid to lift governor rule from the province. Addressing a news conference here, the governor said “I invite Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz and PML-Q to form their coalition and let me know the name of a unanimous candidate for chief minister as I can lift the governor rule as soon as possible.”

He urged PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to cooperate with the government in this regard; adding that presently no party has its majority therefore any two of them should prove their majority in the house.

Taseer said the key parties should finish the politics of forward blocks, horse-trading and conformation against each other. The governor declared that he had not given orders to arrest PML-N chief during lawyer’s Long March, neither directed police to fire teargas on protestors.-SANA

TALLA GANG Mar: Former Provincial Minter Punjab and MPA Ahmed Ali has said that after filing the review petition the Punjab government would be restored on 25th February position. He said that it would be decided by Mian Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif if PPP would be the part of Punjab government or not.

This he said while in a telephonic address to Chakwal Press Club adding that PML-N has the support of 210 members in Punjab Assembly and it the right of PML-N to form government in Punjab. Ahmed Ali said that it is first time in the history of Punjab that the assembly members refused horse trading.

While today this most controversial issue of Governor rule; in this regard Governor Punjab Salman Taseer called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the PM’s House today. During the meeting political situation of the Punjab came under discussion. It is pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani also on Tuesday stated that the end of governor’s rule in Punjab was the top most priority; therefore, it is expected that the government wanted to draw clear line of action regarding formation of government in Punjab. It was also said that Taseer was asked to brief the government regarding his efforts to form PPP government.-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

As a child, all Aatish Taseer son of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer ever had of his father was his photograph in a browning silver frame. Raised by his Sikh mother in Delhi, his Pakistani father remained a distant figure, almost a figment of his imagination, until Aatish crossed the border when he was twenty-one to finally meet him. Sulman Taseer married twice. He had affair with famous Indian journalist Tavleen Singh. Both lived togather in London during mid 80s. Sulman has a love child from Tavleen Singh.

According to Indian Magazine Outlook, “the book is a fictional version of Aatish’s dramatic life story. Briefly, the story is this: “A short, intense relationship between a Pakistani politician, Salmaan Taseer, and an Indian journalist, Tavleen Singh, produces a child. As the relationship founders, the father (according to his son’s account) abandons the mother and the infant in London”.

“The accusations set off a storm of reactions in Aatish, from hurt and defensiveness to confusion and curiosity. How was his father, who (as he was to recount in his book) drank Scotch every evening, never fasted and prayed, even ate pork and once said: ‘It was only when I was in jail and all they gave me to read was the Quran”, the Outlook reported.

Following is an extract of the book:

“I had begun my journey asking why my father was Muslim, and this was why: none of Islam’s once powerful moral imperatives existed within him, but he was Muslim because he doubted the Holocaust, hated America and Israel, thought Hindus were weak and cowardly, and because the glories of the Islamic past excited him.

In the years that followed, the relationship between father and son revived, then fell apart. For Aatish, their tension had not just to do with the tensions of a son rediscovering his absent father — they were intensified by the fact that Aatish was Indian, his father Pakistani and Muslim. It had complicated his parents’ relationship; now it complicated his.

The relationship forced Aatish to ask larger questions: Why did being Muslim mean that your allegiances went out to other Muslims before the citizens of your own country? Why did his father, despite claiming to be irreligious, describe himself as a ‘cultural Muslim’? Why did Muslims see modernity as a threat? What made Islam a trump identity?

According to a website Stranger to History is the story of the journey Aatish made to answer these questions — starting from Istanbul, Islam’s once greatest city, to Mecca, its most holy, and then home, through Iran and Pakistan. Ending in Lahore, at his estranged father’s home, on the night Benazir Bhutto was killed, it is also the story of Aatish’s own divided family over the past fifty years. Part memoir, part travelogue, probing, stylish and troubling, Stranger to History is an outstanding debut.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that he would talk to president Asif Ali Zardari regarding lifting of the governor rule in Punjab on Thursday. Speaking at a dinner hosted by him in honour of Senators here on Wednesday, he said that he called the Punjab Governor Salman Taseer to Islamabad and together with the President they would discuss the way out of the present political crisis.

The Prime Minister said he wants lifting of the Governor’s rule in Punjab at the earliest and would request the President to let the provincial assembly ascertain who commands the majority. He made an impassioned appeal to the political leadership to demonstrate maturity for the sake of economically and politically stable Pakistan.

The Prime Minister referred to the political situation of the country and said every wrong has a solution and all issues should be resolved through discussions and dialogue. He said there are three parties in the Punjab – PPP, PML-N and PML(Q) and whosoever demonstrate majority should be allowed to form the Government and respect each other’s mandate.

The Prime Minister said he has in mind a sketch for solution of the judges’ issue and they would talk to the legal experts on the matter. He said a solution can be found with positive thinking. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said the Government is committed to implement the Charter of Democracy in its true spirit as it can offer solution to the political and constitutional problems confronting the country.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan has a strategic location and the world is eager to help it economically but for this to happen we have to ensure political stability. He hoped that the Friends of Pakistan meeting Japan next month will come out with something concrete to assist Pakistan. Similarly, the United States is also contemplating several proposals to provide economic and military assistance to Pakistan including Kerry-Logar Bill and establish of Reconstruction Opportunities Zones in tribal areas.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani congratulated the newly elected Senators and eulogized the services rendered by the outgoing members of the upper house. He said the 1973 constitution given by Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto envisages bi-cameral parliament to ensure that no amendment in the constitution is made on the basis of population of a particular province as the upper house has equal representation of the four federating units. The Prime Minister said the Government is not interested in power and wants to deliver to the people and give a secure and bright future to our coming generations.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: Political parties’ efforts and bargaining were underway to gain power in Punjab province. According sources, there are four candidates including Raja Riaz Ahmed, Qasim Zia, Tanveer Kaira and Governor Salman Taseer. There were still no settlement between PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Q in CM seat. Due to the bargaining position, king maker PML-Q itself started effort for the position of CM and Monise Elahi name come for this.

Political analysts were saying that PML-N position remain strong until and unless PPP gathered their required numbers and show their power. Total members in Punjab Assembly are 370. For the government formation 186 members are needed. Party position in assembly has as PML-N 169, PPP 107, PML-Q 85, PML-F 3, MMA 2 and Independents 4 members respectively.

PML-Q forward bloc 32 members had met to Sharifs Brothers few days back in Raiwind and assured them of their support, due to the PML-N gets clear majority for the leader of the house. No one can form government in Punjab without Manaika camp. If PML-Q 53 members would meet with PPP it’s become 160 members, Similarly the PPP could not set up the government if get support of PML-F 3 and MMA 2 members.

That’s why PML-N is satisfied for their new leader of house and government formation. There were also complexity between PPP and PML- Q for the leader of the house. Governor Punjab wanted to make Mian Manzoor Wattoo as Governor and he himself wants to become CM by contesting interim elections.

In beginning he want to bring weak candidate from PPP for CM later on after budget approval in June he would try to become CM. On the other hand between PML-Q circles there have strong opposition on the expected support to PPP.

While Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) MPA and active member of forward bloc Raja Shaukat Aziz Bhatti on Monday claimed that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) putting pressure on the forward bloc to support it in Punjab Assembly. Talking to a delegation, he said that the PPP was using tactics to gain support but the forward block MPAs were stand like rock and they were united. He said that the bloc has decided to support PML-N after taking their own constituencies’ peoples into confidence.

He disclosed that the government was also blackmailing the forward bloc MPA Chaudhry Arshad on the issue of case against his brother to gat his support and also those MPAs who were facing small cases in courts. Shaukat Aziz said that a market was set up in the leadership of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer and Raja Riaz at Club Road Lahore.-SANA

Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) information secretary Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday said that Governor Punjab Salman Taseer was hatching conspiracies against Punjab government. Taking to media men after addressing a seminar at NUML here, he said that he started hatching conspiracies in frustration as he could not digest the good governance in the province saying the performance of Punjab government is far better than the federal and other provincial governments.

While Punjab Governor Salman Taseer has said that the flag-bearers of law do not know the law itself. Talking to media after attending a ceremony held under the aegis of University of Central Punjab here on Tuesday, he said that Sharif Brothers should not hold him responsible for everything occurring in the province.

Salman said Asif Ali Zardari is a democratically-elected president and an experienced politician. Punjab Governor said that it was his legal right to write a letter to the CM and if someone employs abusive language against him, then it is weakness on their part of the abuser, adding, ‘I am not among those who could be browbeaten into doing things.’-SANA