Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira on Friday said the caretaker government would be formed on completion of the assemblies’ tenure according to the constitution and not on the demand of Nawaz Sharif.
He said the Swiss cases have been buried forever which was a victory of the PPP government’s stance.
Talking to reporters at the Lahore Press Club, Kaira referred to demand of the PML-N president for immediate announcement of the caretaker government but pointed out that the government would be formed after the constitutional tenure of the assemblies was over. He said if there was no agreement between the prime minister and the opposition leader on the caretaker PM, it would be decided by the parliamentary committee. If the committee also failed to name a consensus candidate, the Election Commission of Pakistan would have the authority to decide.
The information minister said the president delegated his powers to parliament for the first time in the history of Pakistan. He said President Asif Zardari was neutral and no conspiracy would succeed against him. He said military leaders had derailed democracy in the past, but today the army was supporting it.
He said the Sharifs were contacted four times regarding the president’s visit to Raiwind to express condolences over the death of Mian Abbas Sharif, but they did not respond.
The information minister said Nawaz Sharif was a supporter of democracy, but Shahbaz Sharif was acting like a king. He was of the opinion that thinking of Shahbaz and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was identical who did not want rapprochement.
He said they needed to learn lesson from the past.
Kaira said those making tall claims today fled after signing an agreement with former president Pervez Musharraf and left the country under dictatorship.
He questioned the popularity of PML-N and said if it was so, why the party was entering into seat adjustments with those who could not even win union council seats.
To a question, the minister said that constructive dialogue was going on with the PML-Q for seat adjustment as they wanted to reach a decision where they could win maximum seats in the upcoming elections.
He reiterated that the PPP would make south Punjab province and elections would be held on time.