Nawaz asks CJ to call it a day

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday asked the government to immediately summon a session of the National Assembly to discuss the situation arising out of the Mumbai attacks.

He also called for the early resignation of Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar on the issue of additional marks given to his daughter. He was addressing a news conference here at the Punjab House after holding a consultative meeting of senior party leaders, and after a meeting with the Indian high commissioner in Islamabad.

“Yes, parliament should discuss the situation in the backdrop of the Mumbai attacks and national security and the government should immediately summon a National Assembly session for this purpose. The assembly should also take up the issue of undue favour given to the daughter of PCO Chief Justice of Pakistan by an examination board,” Nawaz Sharif said.

Nawaz Sharif also threatened that his party would launch a nationwide movement if the chief justice did not resign from his post. “How can a top judge who is involved in arranging unjustified additional marks for his daughter administer justice to people?” he asked.

The meeting was also attended by PML-N President Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Chairman Raja Zafarul Haque, Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Sardar Mehtab, Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Saad Rafique and others.

Ex-foreign secretary Riaz Ahmed Khan and former principal secretary to Nawaz Sharif Saeed Mehdi were especially invited to the consultative meeting, which lasted over two hours.Nawaz Sharif maintained that despite differences on various issues, the PML-N was with the government on issues of national importance like national security. “We are one nation on issues of national importance,” he said.

Sharif, however, said he and his party had strong differences and reservations over the way affairs of the country were being run by the government. “Had the government not been run in this way, the country may not have faced the current crises and problems,” he said.

He made it clear that the PML-N never wanted to play to the gallery or score points over the security of Pakistan while India showed an irresponsible attitude by accusing Pakistan and its institutions.

Sharif pointed out that it was irresponsible on the part of the Indian government to point fingers at Pakistan, its institutions or intelligence agencies. “We in Pakistan are facing the worst kind of terrorism in which hundreds of innocent Pakistanis have been mercilessly killed and the country has even lost a big leader like Benazir Bhutto,” he said.

He said the PML-N wanted India to identify those responsible for the Mumbai attacks before blaming Pakistan for its involvement.Referring to his meeting with the Indian high commissioner, Nawaz Sharif said the Indian envoy explained his government’s position and said that it had not accused Pakistan of being involved in the Mumbai attacks. “The Indian high commissioner told me that they were not blaming Pakistan and were trying to identify the culprits,” he said.

Coming hard on the government, he said the country and the nation could have averted many crises had the government implemented the Charter of Democracy and its leaders fulfilled the promises made publicly.

He also condemned in strong words the favour given to the daughter of the chief justice by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education which enabled her to get admission in a medical college. “We cannot tolerate this injustice to thousands of students and will launch a national movement if the PCO chief justice does not resign,” he maintained.

To a question about the ongoing operation in Fata, Nawaz Sharif said the parliamentary committee constituted to implement the joint resolution passed by parliament should complete its work at the earliest.

PPI adds: Earlier, Indian High Commissioner Satyabarata Pal called on Nawaz Sharif and discussed the current situation in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.They also exchanged views to defuse the prevailing tense situation in the region.

The PML-N chief apprised Pal of his party’s viewpoint on the situation and denounced the Mumbai attacks. “We condemn every kind of terrorist activity,” he said. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Raja Zafarul Haq, Javed Hashmi and Ayaz Amir were also present during the meeting.