Gilani should step down, says Nawaz

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani should step down from his position after being convicted by the Supreme Court (SC).
Talking to a private TV channel, Nawaz said the prime minister should resign from his office and pave way for a new elected prime minister.
“In light of the verdict, I think PM Gilani should resign immediately rather than prolong the issue,” he said.
He said his party would no longer accept him as the prime minister and the PPP should bring in a uncontroversial caretaker PM. He said if the PPP kept Gilani as the PM, it would be tantamount to ridiculing the sanctity of parliament and the nation.
Nawaz said the government did not spare any chance to ridicule the court and its orders. “Whenever responsible and dedicated officers were appointed to investigate issues, they were replaced by people of their own choice. The court verdict is based on truth and reality. It must have punished the prime minister with a heavy heart, but the prime minister himself is to be blamed,” he said.
“The prime minister himself invited this situation,” he added.
He said the coalition partners also played their role in increasing the political chaos in the country, which could not be accepted.
The PML-N leader suggested the government to hold elections immediately and appoint a neutral prime minister who would write the letter to Swiss authorities. “If the government is willing, the PMLN would support a caretaker setup for the federal and provincial governments.”
While commenting on SC’s stance, he said, “I fully believe the Supreme Court has the high moral ground while the government is standing on the wrong side,” Nawaz said.