No meeting with Zardari: Nawaz

LAHORE - Expressing dismay over the delayed response to his letter written to President Asif Ali Zardari on national issues, PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif Thursday said there would be no meeting with Zardari on the sidelines of the dinner organised in the honour of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the Presidency on December 18. Talking to the media at the residence of a party worker, Taufiq Butt, Nawaz said he had accepted the invitation as a sign of respect for the guest but other matters would not be discussed on the occasion. Nawaz said any meeting would not help improve relations between the two parties unless the CoD was implemented and steps were taken to rescue the country out of present quagmire of problems. We want respect for decisions of the judiciary and an end to corruption, price hike, unemployment and loadshedding, he observed, adding that the PML-N was opposing the RGST in peoples interest and would continue to do so in future as well. The former prime minister told reporters that he was still awaiting a detailed reply from President Zardari in response to his letter highlighting major issues facing the country and their possible solutions. He said he had given suggestions to the PPP co-chairperson to resolve countrys problems and wanted some progress on the issue to find solutions by formulation of a comprehensive strategy in to achieve the aim. Nawaz said although he had received an interim reply from the president, but a detailed answer as promised by him had not yet been given. Replying to a question, the PML-N chief said his party had nothing to do with the differences between the PPP and the JUI-F, and it was their internal matter.Clarifying party policy on current political situation, Nawaz said the PML-N had never supported any decision against the interests of country and the people, nor would do so in future. He said his party did not take decisions on sudden impulses as it always took decisions in the national interest, adding that it believed in politics of principles and the criticism on government was also based on this thinking while the decision to leave the coalition government was also a result of its principled politics. To a question about loadshedding, Nawaz said he had been very critical of the government over the issue as losses to the industry and unemployment were on the rise. He said the government must ensure uninterrupted supply of gas to all parts of the country including Gilgit-Baltistan. Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif also visited the residence of Pakistans representative in UAE Mian Munir to condole the death of his father.

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