- Premier says presidential system not capable of steering the country out of crises
- PM Abbasi says Nawaz has never directed me in my seven-month long PMship
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Sunday said that the issue concerning Maryam Nawaz leading the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has never come up in the party meetings, besides Maryam does not even hold a party position.
Reacting to PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s statement concerning Maryam Nawaz, PM Abbasi said that Nisar must express his opinion in the party meetings rather than expressing them publically.
Nisar, on various occasions, has criticised the increasing role of Maryam in the party.
Strongly rejecting all speculations about the formation of factions, the PM maintained that the party would contest the upcoming general elections on basis of its performance.
Shehbaz Sharif is the provincial president of the party while Nawaz Sharif is its face, PM Abbasi said as he rubbished the rumours of a split in the PML-N.
“People have not accepted the Supreme Court’s July 28 decision of disqualifying Nawaz Sharif. It would be a reason of public reaction in the next elections,” he added.
Speaking to a private TV channel, the prime minister said he had a long association with the PML-N and remained steadfast through thick and thin. He dispelled the impression that he was an aspirant for the office of next prime minister as the party leadership would decide such issues.
To a question, the prime minister maintained that there were no redlines for his government. Only the Constitution contained the red lines, he said, adding that all the amendments done with consensus.
Nawaz Sharif had never phoned him during the last seven months, he said in reply to a question concerning rumours that the current PM is being directed the party chief.
To another question, the prime minister said the government has to take major as well as minor decisions which definitely had impacts. He said they had learnt from the past mistakes. The government has to tackle varying issues with consensus and under a mechanism, set by the working of cabinet and parliament.
The prime minister, responding to another question replied that he did not see any efforts by anyone to throw spanner into the upcoming Senate elections which would be held on time. However, he questioned how a party which did not have members in the assemblies, could elect its members in the Senate.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should take notice of such practices, he said, adding: “We will name and shame those elements who would employ such antics.”
Moreover, the party will exert all possible moral pressure on them, he said.
The prime minister also vehemently opposed the suggestion about a presidential form of government. “The presidential system is not capable to steer the country out of the emerging issues and dangerous for its stability.”
To another query, he said after the devolution of powers, the provinces ought to develop their capacity and show their performance. “The provincial governments which failed to comply with their mandates would meet failure at the end. Among all provinces, only Punjab had been performing well,” he added.
