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| Zardari gives Nawaz hope once again |
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Tuesday, October 27, 2009
No surprises, no specifics in meeting
By Asim Yasin & Muhammad Anis
ISLAMABAD: The Nawaz-Zardari meeting on Monday produced no major surprises. Held in the backdrop of disturbing political rumours regarding the president’s growing political isolation, possible military meddling, minus one to minus 11 formulas, the acutely monitored Monday meeting between President Zardari and Mian Nawaz Sharif produced no real surprises and while it fell short of achieving any specific milestones, it did sire hope, no mean achievement under the prevalent circumstances.
And it also spawned the possibility of a serious revival of the hitherto severed communication between Zardari, who is in a tight political corner, and Sharif, who too has being seeing his popularity ratings come down in the recent past. To some the meeting was also a partial replay of the past interactions between the two leaders, with President Zardari, yet again assuring Nawaz Sharif of delivering on all earlier made pledges.
In a heartening development, according to insiders, the two leaders also agreed to meet in the coming weeks at the Muree residence of the Sharif’s. The meeting is expected to take place sometime during November. According to one of the participants, the developments, or the lack thereof, in the next 50-60 days shall decide both the future of the presidency, and the country’s political complexion, adding that “for the moment it all looks promising”. Interestingly, the despised word NRO too was not even mentioned during the entire evening.
The Presidency and the PML-N described the meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Mian Nawaz Sharif as ‘meaningful’ while reiterating their commitment to the principles laid down in the Charter of Democracy (CoD) to democratise the Constitution and rid it of all undemocratic clauses through constitutional amendments.
It was decided that the recommendations of the Constitutional committee headed by senator Raza Rabbani would be implemented as early as possible, effectively signalling the demise of Musharraf’s despised 17th Amendment.
“The meeting is a breakthrough as two major political parties expressed their will to work for the continuity of the democratic system,” Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan told The News.
“The meeting was beneficial and could be termed breakthrough or step forward. There is lot of difference between this meeting and the last meeting held in Raiwind,” said PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq.According to sources, it was decided in the meeting that the constitutional committee would expedite its work, that according to Raza Rabbani is almost complete anyway, and that the draft should be brought into the coming session of the National Assembly commencing on November 2.
Sources said Chairman Constitutional Committee on Reforms Mian Raza Rabbani, who was also part of the Zardari-Nawaz meeting told Nawaz Sharif that the copy of the preliminary draft of Constitutional reforms was already with Senator Ishaq Dar.
Sources said when Nawaz Sharif pressed on President Zardari for early scrapping of 17th amendment from the constitution, President Zardari told him that the government was ready to do it as early as possible but said that for two third majority it is necessary that ANP should be on board so their demand of changing the name of NWFP as Puktoonkhwa too needed to be incorporated in the draft.
Sources said that President Zardari reiterated his willingness to cede his powers to appoint the services chiefs and was agreeable to the reversion of these powers to the prime minister and the repealing 58-2 (b).
Sources said the NAB also came under discussion and Mian Nawaz Sharif demanded the abolishment of NAB. Sources said on the demand of Mian Nawaz Sharif, President Zardari asked Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan to take up this issue and on the occasion Dr Awan also briefed the meeting about the current laws on accountability.
The two leaders also agreed to implement legislative and administrative measures as contained in CoD for reformation. The two parties stressed that the task should be completed expeditiously in consultation with all other political parties.
The two parties reiterated that dialogue and discussion was the essence of the democratic process. They also agreed that the doors of meaningful and result oriented dialogue should always remain open.
Both parties agreed that militancy posed the greatest challenge to national security and needed to be tackled effectively and urgently. They lauded the armed forces, the police, the law enforcing agencies and the civil population for their valiant struggle and sacrifices rendered in the fight against militancy.
Meanwhile, addressing a news conference after the meeting, ex-PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq said President Zardari agreed to the demand of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to repeal 17th amendment and making amendments in the Constitution as agreed in the Charter of Democracy (CoD). “We discussed all national issues open heartedly and Mian Nawaz reiterated the demand to repeal 17th amendment and implementation of the CoD which was signed by Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto,” he said.
He said Nawaz Sharif stressed that the issued should not be prolonged and immediate practical steps be taken on constitutional committee to repeal 17th amendment and implement CoD.
Asked as to what was achieved from the meeting, PML-N leader said, “The meeting was beneficial and could be termed as breakthrough or step forward. There is lot of difference between this meeting and the last meeting held in Raiwind,” he maintained.
To a question, Raja Zafarul Haq said neither it would take three month nor three years rather the matter would be resolved in much less time.
Answering another question whether National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) was taken up during the meeting, he categorically said there was no mention of word ‘NRO’ during the 90-minute meeting. However, he maintained that there was no change in stance of PML-N on NRO and supporting this ordinance in the Parliament. “Those who (PPP leaders) sitting in the meeting, are also well aware of our stance,” he said.
Raja Zafarul Haq had to face a volley of questions as how it could be possible that NRO was not discussed but he had the similar answer that it was not taken up during the meeting.
He told a questioner that Mian sahib during the meeting mentioned in detail and reminded President Zardari of past promises made by him on implementation of CoD and repealing of the 17th amendment.
Responding to another query, he said Nawaz Sharif once again demanded the trial of Pervez Musharraf saying had he been taken to task, many issued could have been resolved.
He said the place and time of any next meeting was not decided but it was a beneficial meeting to continue political contacts and many issues pertaining to national interests were discussed.
He said Nawaz Sharif during the meeting also stressed that in place of NAB, an institution should be created in light of CoD for the purpose of across the board accountability.
Nawaz Sharif also observed that terrorism was a big challenge to the country and only use of force was not the only solution to it rather its root causes should be addressed with a view to socio-economic development. Sharif also called for improving governance in the country.
Raja Zafarul Haq to another question, said the Kerry-Lugar bill was not discussed during the meeting but the party had the same stance and reservations on it. He said Nawaz Sharif also asked President Zardari to take Baloch leadership sitting inside and outside the Parliament into confidence and there was need to restore sanity while dealing with the legitimate grievances of the Baloch people.
Sources said that PML-N also reiterated that it would not become part of any attempt to destabilize the democratic system and the government.
The 90 minute parlay was held at the “Pink room’ of the Presidency between Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif with their political aides, followed by dinner, where another round of talks for 60 minutes was held and the meeting was constructive and held in a very cordial and frank atmosphere and driven by a spirit of mutual accommodation.
Talks between the two sides were held pursuant to the meeting held on July 17,2009. The PML N delegation, led by Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, comprised Raja Zafarul Haq, Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Javed Hashmi and Mamnoon Hussain.
PPP Co-Chairman and President Asif Ali Zardari was assisted by Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, PPP Secretary General Jehangir Badar, Minister for Labour and Manpower Khurshid Shah, Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf, Chairman Parliamentary Committee for Constitutional Reforms Mian Raza Rabbani, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Babar Awan, Qamar Zaman Kaira and Farhatullah Babar. However, opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was not part of the delegation as he had already declined the invitation of dinner of President Asif Ali Zardari.
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Three killed as Sh Rashid escapes attempt on life
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Indian forces to halt Kashmir rally outside UN office
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briefs...
20 die in Afghan floods, avalanches
KANDAHAR: Twenty people have died in floods and avalanches triggered by some of the heaviest rain and snow in Afghanistan for 50 years, an official said on Monday. At more |
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ISSN 1563-9479 
