NRO to eliminate personal revenge politics: Thaheem
By Khalid Amin

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Head of Parliamentary Party of PML (Functional), Justice (R) Abdul Razak A.Thahim on Monday termed the National Reconciliation Ordinance 2007 as a positive move forward aiming at eliminations of personal revenge politics which has marred the body-politic of our country.
Commenting on the Ordinance in a statement here, he said the Ordinance was unanimously approved by the Cabinet. On the advice of the Prime Minister, the ordinance has been promulgated by President in a good faith keeping in view the larger national interest.
He said all Cabinet members on October 4 in a informal meeting after detailed discussions, unanimously authorized the President to promulgate the Ordinance. The Minister stated that the Ordinance has backing of PML (Functional) and other coalition partners, after considered view that such a positive move will bring harmony amongst the political circles and help reducing personal enmity based on political considerations. Justice (R) Thahim said all the parties should accept the Ordinance without any reservation as it will promote amicable relations amongst the politicians.
“There has been no ‘chaal’ on behalf of PML (Functional) as I know no other party played adverse role with mala-fide,” he added.
Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani on Monday underlined that National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) is a part of law however if it is challenge in Court then we will respect its verdict in true letter and spirit. While talking to Journalists in Islamabad on Monday, Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said that it has successfully divided the Opposition by promulgating the NRO 2007 on the eve of Presidential Elections.
Replying to a question, he said that following the successful holding of Presidential Elections, Government will continue to hold positive dialogues with all the Opposition Parties. Responding to another question, Durrani said that National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) is a part of law stressing if it is challenge in Court then Government like past will respect its verdict. He said that NRO has become a ground reality and no one could deny it.
Responding to another question regarding Nawaz Sharif, Durrani said that we would not violate the agreement that was made between the two countries nor will take any step, which is against the agreement in this regard. Replying to another question, Durrani added that according to the Ordinance, only those cases that are pending in Courts since last fifteen years, has been abolished.
Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao Monday said the National Reconciliation Ordinance is neither a political conspiracy nor aims at letting someone down; rather it has been introduced to remove the environment of political tension and bitterness from the country. Talking to media persons here he said President Pervez Musharraf has issued the ordinance in consultation with the cabinet and the statement of Chaudhry Shujat Husain in this regard has wrongly been interpreted.
About the presidential election he said it was transparent and the convincing victory of Pervez Musharraf in the election is the result people’s confidence. Referring to Waziristan situation, Sherpao said the government wants reconciliation there and is working on a multi-prong strategy in collaboration with the tribal elders for peace and stability.
“The government has also introduced the same strategies twice in the recent past but the terrorist elements make those void.” He said the tribal are not our enemies; they are our brothers and we want to work for their welfare and uplift. We have lost a large number of law enforcement agencies personnel in Waziristan in clashes with the militants.”