Khursheed Shah questions Sharifs’ visit to KSA

LAHORE: Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah on Friday raised questions over Nawaz Sharif's impending visit to Saudi Arabia. "Today, the nation is watching. The people want to know why Shahbaz Sharif is in Saudi Arabia and why Nawaz may be visiting soon."

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Shah stressed that it would be worrisome if the visit is aimed at resolving the domestic matters of the country. Pakistan is a nuclear country and should have its own policies, he said and added we do not need to knock at anyone else's doors.

Khursheed said the reason of the visit might be to get a new National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). When asked what is the difference between "this NRO" and the one issued during the Musharraf government, Shah responded that there is a huge difference. Die to that NRO, Democracy returned, an army general removed his uniform, Nawaz Sharif returned from exile, he said. Besides, the Parliament completed its tenure and there was a historic transfer of power from one elected government to another. In this NRO, it seems there could be bailing out for the Sharif family from the ongoing corruption cases.

About Saad Rafique's statement, Shah said he did not find anything objectionable. He said he has examined Saad Rafique's remarks delivered on December 24 and there is nothing in the statement to warrant an immediate and such a big reaction from the ISPR. This is unnecessary and should not have been done. Each and every word of the institution is important, said Shah.

Khursheed Shah said it is his desire that the current government complete its constitutional term, adding that there is constitutional supremacy in the country and if the government does not complete its term it will be a great injustice with the constitution. He said staging peaceful sit ins is the right of political parties but the masses should not face any inconvenience from the sit ins. He said the Faizabad 'Dharna' had sent a negative message to the world as Pakistan was cast as a dangerous country.

On the proposed FATA reforms, Shah said the party has been supporting the reforms and merger of the tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since day one. He claimed the government is avoiding to take a decision on the Fata issue due to its political commitments and added he does not think the matter will drag on for long and a decision will be taken soon.

Responding to a question about the PPP leaders meeting with Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Tahirul Qadri, Shah said there is nothing new in the meetings as they have occurred before aswell. The PPP does not want to distance itself from other political parties. We want politics of peace and sustainable democracy in Pakistan, he noted. He stressed the importance of accommodation in politics and said the PPP is a mature party and will continue to uphold democracy.

With regards to the ongoing traders protest in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, the PPP leader said it is highly unjust that the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan are being taxed without being given a constitutional cover. He demanded that the elections of Gilgit, Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir be held alongside the general elections of Pakistan. Khursheed also said the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan have a right over the ongoing projects of CPEC and they should not be left behind economically.