Boycott decision depends on Govt attitude: Nawaz

LAHORE—Former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said Monday that the opposition should use the option of boycotting the general elections in case a level playing field is not provided to it in the electioneering process.
He was addressing a press conference at his Model Town residence here on Monday. Former Punjab chief minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif and PML-N leader Saranjam Khan were also present. Nawaz Sharif said the opposition do not want to indulge in any confrontation or to boycott the polls, but it will be left with no other option if it is pushed to the wall.
“We believe in reconciliation and Pakistan’s welfare, not in confrontation; the people at the helm of affairs need to understand the feelings of the people and act according to their aspirations to remove emergency and restore the rule of law in the country,” he said.
He demanded lifting of the emergency, restoration of the constitution and reinstatement of the judiciary as it was before November 3 and said that the judicial setup prior to the emergency be allowed to decide the matter of the presidential election.
Responding to a question, Mian Nawaz Sharif said the PML-N and PML-Q have parted ways forever. However, PML-Q supporters who have not been involved in damaging the PML-N or maligning its leaders, can be considered for taking back in the party fold and this will be decided on a case to case basis, he added.
He said the world powers need to consider that terrorism and extremism can be tackled better with the power of the people and not by strengthening the rule of one individual.
Nawaz Sharif demanded that restrictions on media should be removed forthwith to ensure peoples’ right of free expression. The PML-N chief praised the struggle of lawyers’ community and said that they have always been in the forefront to strengthen the national institutions.
He expressed appreciation for the positive attitude of the Saudi kingdom towards Pakistan and its people, and remarked that on personal level he would for ever be indebted to them for their supportand help. Former Prime Minister and PML (N) Chief Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Monday demanded for emergency withdrawal, restoration of democracy and the rule of law in the country.
Addressing a press conference at his residence here, Nawaz Sharif reiterated that he would never work under President Musharraf. President PML (N) Shahbaz Sharif and Secretary General Siranjam Khan were also present during the press conference. Nawaz Sharif said that PML (N) would not become part of any coalition government under President Musharraf. “I firmly believe that any party serving under Musharraf will be illegal and undemocratic,” he added.
He said upcoming general elections would only be acceptable once Musharraf withdrew state of emergency and restore the constitution. A meeting of All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) will be held on Thursday, November 29 and before that the other parties will be convinced for boycott of the election, he stated.
The former prime minister also called for the reinstatement of deposed judges of the Supreme Court. Nawaz Sharif paid rich tribute to the judges who refused to take oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO). He said the judges wanted to give verdict according to the constitution and the law but they were removed from their offices.
Nawaz Sharif reiterated that martial law and dictatorship are not in the country’s interest, adding that opposition is not solely responsible for maintenance of peace but the government also holds the responsibility.—Agencies
The PML (N) Chief said that he was in a favour of boycotting the general elections however he would consult with other political parties on the issue. APDM, he said, could boycott the upcoming polls if their demands were not met by the government.
He blamed President Musharraf for bulldozing the judiciary as saying that the judiciary has been demolished, lawyers have been tortured and arrested. He said that Musharraf has pushed the country and opposition upto the wall. The politicians, who were supposed to contest the elections, have been put behind bars and media has been suppressed.
He said that President Musharraf tried to stop his return to the country and thanked the Saudi King Abdullah for his support in his return back to Pakistan.
Commenting on the interim set up, he said that the caretaker government is working on a remote control, added that opposition was not taken into confidence while forming the interim government. He also blamed the Election Commission for being partisan to Musharraf and his aides.
He said that PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto also possess a democratic vision and supportive of the demands forwarded by the APDM. The PPP and other opposition parties therefore should play its due role for restoration of democracy till the end of dictatorship, he said.
Replying to a question regarding alliance with Q league, he said that he did not even think about it. He said that he has no reservation regarding PML (Q) as a whole. PML (N), he said, could think about those Q- league leaders, who didn’t cause any harm to PML (N).