PML shares some of Opp demands: Shujaat

LAHORE—President PML-Q, Ch Shujaat Hussain has said that his party would recommend to accept six out of total demands presented by the Committee on charter of Demands provided the political parties in the body would announce that they will not boycott the general elections.
While addressing party tickets distribution ceremony among the National Assembly candidates here Friday at his residence, he said the PML has started distribution of party tickets among the NA candidates.
PML Central Secretary-General Syed Mushahid Hussain was also present on the occasion.
He said the PML has recommended six demands which includes candidate should be disqualified for using government resources, suspension of government officials who were involved in the campaign of any candidate, Use of government transport should be banned, announcements by caretaker ministers in their respective constituencies, lifting of emergency and date for elections should not be extended.
Later, he gave party tickets to Hamayun Akhtar Khan for NA-124 125, Muhammad Idress for NA-126, Abdul Aleem Khan for NA-127, Mian Muhammad Jehangir for NA-122, Tariq Badaruddin Bandey for NA-119, Kh Tahir Zia for NA-120, Rai Mansab Ali for NA-137, Muhammad Asim Nazir for NA-77, Zahid Nazir for NA-76 and Muhammad Naseer Khan for NA-115. Earlier, Syed Mushahid Hussain told party candidates that the party had completed its homework regarding elections and the distribution of tickets are started well in time.
He said that while briefing envoys of European Union, PML President Ch Shujaat Hussain has said that conditions are conducive for the holding of free, fair and transparent elections in the country. Shujaat told them that after the return of leadership of PPP and PML-N besides doffing off uniform and lifting of emergency, there was no question of boycotting the elections.
He said Ch Shujaat will meet ambassadors of Arab countries besides he will also announce party’s election manifesto next week. The Pakistan Muslim League (PML) is likely to announce its manifesto for the January 8 elections on Monday (December 10), PML sources said Friday. Senior PML leaders have finalized the manifesto that focuseson education, justice, employment and strong economy, the key elements that the party said symbolize a strong Pakistan.
“We have prepared the manifesto taking into account opinionsand views of all cadres of the party as well as various segments of the civil society,” a PML leader said. A comprehensive strategy to ensure relief for the common man,teachers and employees also forms part of the manifesto. According to the sources the manifesto outlines constructiveand practicable strategy on important national issues.
PML Central Media Coordinator Mustafa Malik said party President Ch. Shujaat Hussain and General Secretary Mushahid Hussain Sayed were expected to announce the manifesto at a news conference on Monday.
Attorney General of Pakistan, Malik Muhammd Qayum, Friday said that state of emergency will be lifted in the country on December 15, one day prior to the date announced earlier this month by President, Pervez Musharraf.
“The state of emergency and PCO will be lifted on December 15 and the Constitution will be restored to pre-November 3 position,” Malik Qayum told Geo News.
To a question he said one or two amendments will be made in the Constitution, under a Presidential Order. These amendments provide legal cover to the steps taken from November 3 onwards, including imposition PCO and a state of emergency, he added.
The Attorney General said restoration of the Constitution will also restore the basic rights.
Replying to another question, he said the induction of judges in Supreme Court will made in one week. These judges will be selected from all the four provinces, he added. “No judge has been placed under house arrest,” Malik Qayum replied to a query. Such rumours are circulating only in the media, however, some lawyers have been taken into custody, he clarified.
The Sharif brothers have filed an application directly with the Chief Election Commissioner to review the decision regarding the rejection of their nomination papers for the upcoming general elections.
Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif in their application said that the Returning Officer rejected their nomination papers and the Appellate Tribunal formed comprised on the judges who took oath under Provincial Constitutional Order (PCO). Sharif brothers said that they neither recognize these judges nor would appeal before those judges who took oath under PCO, adding as CEC took oath under the 1973 constitution, therefore by obeying the constitution, he should approve their nomination papers.
The Sharif Brothers urged CEC to revoke the decision of the Returning Officer as he rejected their nomination papers through illegal and unconstitutional process.—Agencies