Democracy restored

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif Monday forced other coalition partners to meet again today to discuss and decide about indemnity of former President Pervez Musharraf after his resignation. Well-placed sources told TheNation that during the party heads' meeting that held at Zardari House, Nawaz Sharif was quite insistent to prosecute the former President for his illegal and unconstitutional actions. According to the insiders, Nawaz Sharif was sad and upset when he didn't find any warm response from other colleagues on his proposal but he eventually prevailed upon other partners to meet again to sort out the issue of indemnity. "It's a matter of supremacy of law and Constitution, therefore, the matter should be resolved according to the aspirations of the masses," a source quoted Nawaz Sharif as telling other partners. Later, the parliamentary party of the PML-N met at Punjab House and discussed the situation arising out from the resignation of President Musharraf and demanded his prosecution for illegal and unconstitutional acts. The dinner meeting also discussed the issue of deposed judges and demanded their restoration within twenty-four hours. The meeting also discussed the issue of next president and his election and it was decided that a consensus candidate from smaller provinces, particularly Balochistan, should be considered for the slot. The meeting also decided to seek fresh appointments of provincial governors and attorney general for the smooth and efficient functioning of the federal as well as provincial governments. It was not confirmed till late but some party sources said that Nawaz Sharif was scheduled to leave for Murree for an overnight stay and would return to the federal capital to attend the party heads meeting scheduled for today. APP adds: The ruling Parliamentary party meeting in the National Assembly on Monday congratulated the Prime Minister on the resignation of President Musharraf. The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, was attended by the members of coalition partners, besides the PPP members. Some of the members while expressing satisfaction over President's resignation called for trial of Pervez Musharraf for abrogating Pakistan's constitution and taking actions contrary to the interests of the country and its people. They were of the view that the President should not be given a safe exit from the country. After the meeting, sources told this news agency that a large number of parliamentarians called for repealing 17th Amendment and Article 58(2)b of the constitution to restore democracy in its real sense. Our Staff Reporter adds: PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has termed Musharraf's resignation as great victory of 160 million in the result of unyielding democratic struggle in the history of politics. He said that ouster of dictator with political movement had proved that no one could stand against the wishes of the people. Now "we will use the power of people to bring economic and democratic revolution in the country, he vowed. Nawaz said that now the country would enjoy the supremacy of constitution, law and democracy in real term. He said that getting rid of Musharraf was an unforgettable incident of history. Sharif claimed that today heaviest burden on the sole of nation had been offloaded. He said that resignation of Musharraf symbolized removal of dark clouds of dictatorship. He said that once again nation had succeeded in achieving its targets. "We will utilize the confidence of masses to bring about positive changes in the country," he said. He dubbed ouster of Musharraf as great news people was tantalizing over the last many year. Naveed Butt from Islamabad adds: The coalition partners, PPP, PML-N, ANP and JUI-F welcomed the resignation of General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf from the office of the President and termed it a victory of democracy and the people of Pakistan.   PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said that the resignation of Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf was the fall of dictatorship and a triumph of democracy. He said that the exit of Gen (Retd) Musharraf would result in political stability.   Asif Ali Zardari also telephoned MQM Chief Altaf Hussain in London Monday evening and thanked him for the MQM support in the exit of Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf. "The MQM Members of Provincial Assembly Sindh did not oppose the resolution against Gen (Retd) Musharraf and had abstained from voting. As a result not a single vote was cast in the Provincial Assembly in favour of Gen (retd) Musharraf," he said. Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader Tehmina Daultana said that the resignation of the dictator was a big victory of the people, democracy and supremacy of the Parliament. She said that the conspirators in President House had lost their political clout after the resignation of Pervez Musharraf. While talking to journalists here on Monday she said that according to Article 6 of the Constitution, a case should be filed against Pervez Musharraf and his companions. She also said that August was a good month for the people of Pakistan as they got rid of a dictator on August 17 in the past and now again on August 18. "The new President would be elected after consensus", she further said. Awami National Party (ANP) welcomed the resignation of President General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf and said that the people gave their verdict against him on February 18, 2008 in the general election. ANP Information Secretary Zahid Khan told TheNation that the resignation of Pervez Musharraf was in the interest of the nation, political stability and supremacy of the parliament. He said that the coalition government should give safe passage to former President Pervez Musharraf. "Now, the issues of judiciary, law and order, shortage of electricity and flour and price hike are the big challenges for the coalition government. If it did not resolve these issues, then the nation would never forgive it," he said. Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that not only the ruling coalition but also the whole nation deserved to be congratulated. He said that Musharraf should have resigned long time ago but his advisers misguided him. He said the policies of Musharraf isolated Pakistan internationally. "Musharraf was the root cause of all problems. The nation should unite for the smooth democratic functioning, he added.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt