- Sharif says he doesn’t want fresh political confrontation, urges political leadership to show maturity and work together in Pakistan’s best interests
- Tells cabinet ministers and PML-N leaders to reach out to masses and highlight party’s development-oriented vision
- PML-N ministers criticize PTI for not accepting JC probe into alleged poll rigging, but party is unlikely to
Stressing upon the need for all political parties to show magnanimity and maturity to avoid further wastage of time in frivolous disputes and petty squabbles, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday directed his cabinet ministers to expedite electoral reforms in order to make future elections fair and transparent in all respects.
Chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet at Prime Minister’s House, Sharif said that after the judicial commission’s report, efforts are needed to chart the future course for further strengthening the democratic system.
Sharif also directed all cabinet members and the senior political leadership of his party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to reach out to the masses and take them in confidence regarding the party’s development-oriented vision, which would guide the country towards stability and prosperity.
However, sources privy to the happenings of the cabinet meeting said that majority of the ministers urged Prime Minister Sharif to push for disqualification of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members of the National Assembly since the party was still sticking to its earlier claims of rigging in general elections although a judicial probe had cleared all such allegations. Their demand was however rejected by the PM who told them that he wanted to keep the PTI onboard on all national issues. Sharif’s views were endorsed by some senior party ministers who asked him to show statesmanship, sources added.
Sources said that the PML-N has also decided not to support a resolution in the National Assembly demanding de-seating of the PTI members.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the government had adhered to the promises made with the PTI and the people had expressed their faith in the government.
“Who am I to ask for an apology from anyone? Parliament will decide the fate of PTI members,” he said, adding that PTI and Imran Khan had been embarrassed on various occasions but they hadn’t learnt from their mistakes.
The judicial commission was constituted earlier this year to probe Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) allegations of rigging in the 2013 general election, and concluded in its report that polls were in large part “organised and conducted fairly and in accordance with the law”.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in his address last week, took the nation into confidence over the recently published report by the judicial commission saying it has been proved that there was no rigging on any level and that the 2013 general elections were free and fair.
