Nawaz urges harmony amongst democratic forces
By Fakhar Alam

ISLAMABAD—Supreme leader of his own faction of Pakistan Muslim League, Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif Friday said that democratic forces should have to work together to bury the prospects of army intervention in political affairs in future.
Talking to newsmen he said that differences of opinion among the political parties notwithstanding they have to join together at least on the issues of national importance. He was of the opinion that the defence budget should also be brought at the forum of parliament for discussion adding it will not be a novel thing rather it is done in UK, US, India , Japan and many other countries.
Nawaz Sharif said that he is not apologetic over the decisions that he made in recent past i.e boycott and rejoining of the election process. The former Prime Minister denied the impression that he is following the suit of PPPP leadership in making decisions saying whatever the did was in the interest of country and its people. He said that had PPPP joined the boycott the political situation in the country would have been different. To a question he said that matter relating to differences between his party and PPPP over the revival of pre-November 3 judiciary and relations with President Musharraf would be discussed between the two after election. While expressing reservations over the process of election the former PM said “ we will watch the remaining process to make a final decision with respect to fairness of the election.”
He said that PMLQ has no vote bank anywhere in the country adding that during the election campaign it has become clear that only PML-N and PPPP have the support of people. So a win for PML-Q would be a fabricated and un-natural happening which the entire nation would not accept, he said. Asked if the PPPP becomes an ally of President Musharraf after the election what will be the stance of his party the PML-N leader said,“we will continue our struggle for the revival of judiciary and constitution”. He however expressed the hoped that democratic forces will opt for restoration of real democracy in the country. Nawaz Sharif said that his cooperation with PPPP is not aimed at achieving personal gains rather there are very important matters to be settled jointly by the political forces to put the country on path to real democracy.
He said that free judiciary and press, restoration of 1973 constitution are the basic issue on which all the democratic forces will hopefully cooperate.
To another question Nawaz Sharif said that he has no personal grudge with President Musharraf and if he accepts the demand about restoration of judiciary and constitution, there is no harm in sitting with him. He can even accept him as President if the pre-November 3 judiciary validates his election, the PMLN leader said.
To another question Nawaz Sharif said that if Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain seeks the pardon from nation over his mistakes and nation forgives him, he can think on reconciliation with him also.
He agreed with the idea of forming enquiries to probe the Kargil and Lal Masjad episodes.
Responding yet to another question he said that if turned to power his party will form policies with respect to terrorism by keeping in sight the national interest rather than doing so on the dictation of other countries.