Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has criticised the statements of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on not recognising the prime minister and threats of resorting to protests as well as a long march.
He was addressing a press conference at the Chief Minister’s House on Friday night along with the provincial ministers.
Shah was of the view that the final judgement [on PM’s contempt of court case] was pending with the Supreme Court and before the decision, it is improper to give opinions that he has been disqualified and Sharif does not recognise the prime minister.
He exhorted the PML-N to look into the democratic values and avoid any stance in haste as they cannot derive any benefits. “Such acts can be harmful for the country,” he cautioned the elder Sharif brother.
Stating that there is also a provision for appeal in the SC case, the chief minister said that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is popular among the people and has served the people for more than four years now and also fulfilled the commitment of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) with the masses.
Shah thanked the allied parties for extending support in a difficult situation like in the past.
Replying to a question, he said that if one is talking of resorting to an act violating the law, then “we have the right to take action in accordance with the law”.
“We will move ahead in accordance with the constitution and the law as well as democratic values,” he added.
To another question, Shah said that Sharif has not given any reason and at once said that the prime minister is disqualified and that he does not recognise Gilani as the prime minister or the cabinet.
“We are democratic and have rendered immense sacrifices for this democracy,” he said. “For the cause of democracy, rule of law, rights of the people and constitution, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and a large number of PPP workers have rendered their lives.”
Shah said the PPP has not come to the power through backdoors and has fulfilled all democratic and constitutional provisions. “The elections of the president and the prime minister were carried out in accordance with the constitution and democratic values.”
The chief minister said that in the elections, the prime minister got a unanimous vote which means he has the confidence of the entire assembly and the 180 million people of the country.
“It is a constitutional requirement that the prime minister should serve the full five-year term,” he said.
Shah said the detailed judgement of the SC has not been announced and that there was only a short order. “The SC has not given a clear view and has spoken of likely repercussions,” he added.
He said the party that enjoys the majority wants to take the opposition in confidence but attempts are being made to destabilise the federal government. “The PPP would not tolerate any such unconstitutional moves.”
Shah, also the provincial chief of the PPP, said the general elections would be held according to the scheduled time. “The elections would be conducted in a free, fair and independent manner as has already been declared by the president and the prime minister.”
Provincial ministers Agha Siraj Durrani, Murad Ali Shah, Nadir Magsi, Saifullah Dharejo, Ali Mardan Shah, Ayaz Soomro, Shazia Marri, Ali Nawaz Shah and Special Assistants to Chief Minister, Waqar Mehdi and Siddiq Abu Bhai were also present at the press conference.