Govt not threatened by judicial, military coups

–PM floats proposal for joint Senate chairman

–Premier says ECP to take decision on caretaker set-up if govt and opposition fail to reach consensus

–Says jail sentence, courts cannot remove Nawaz from politics

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday floated a proposal for the nomination of a new Senate chairman as he ruled out judicial martial law and military coup, saying democracy is not in danger.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of first CCV line and aluminium alloy manufacturing plant in the Sundar Industrial Estate, the prime minister urged the members of the opposition to jointly nominate a new Senate chairman in a bid to save the country for disgrace.

Challenging the nomination of recently-elected chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, the PM claimed that the Sanjrani was elected on bought votes and invited the opposition to amicably dissolve the matter to avoid disgrace.

He said the Senate chairman also serves the acting president and if Sanjrani becomes one, the act will bring dishonour to the country across the world.

The ruling party has not been so happy with how the new chairman was elected. Last week, a petition was filed in the apex court in which it was argued that the chairman becomes the acting president during elections and the required age for the president is minimum 45 years, whereas Sadiq Sanjrani is 40 years old.

The application held a stance that Sadiq Sanjrani becoming the acting president would create a constitutional crisis therefore he may be barred from assuming charge of the acting president.

The PM also ruled out the possibility of judicial martial law or military coup in the country, saying the democratic system in the country would thrive whatsoever. Commenting on the imminent general elections, the PM said only the electorates would decide who will form the next government and that decision would be accepted by all.

The PM was replying to Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed’s suggestion for the judicial martial law in the country, which had been rubbished by the chief justice as well. “Anything considered above the constitution will not be tolerated,” the CJP had stressed, vowing the courts would not allow democracy to be derailed in Pakistan.

Touting the party for its macro-development and getting rid of power shortages, PM Abbasi said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government faced energy and power challenges and the backlog of the previous governments, but it had solved the energy issues by producing 10,000MW of power within five years.

Despite limited resources, about 1700 km six-lane motorway network was being completed, said the PM as he expressed resolve to serve the country with the limited resources.

He implied that the PML-N was targeted for its pro-development policies, saying a case was registered against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for the establishment of Sundar Industrial Estate after then army chief Pervez Musharraf came into power through a military coup.

“It is ironic that those who served the country were punished,” he said in an apparent reference to Nawaz Sharif’s two times disqualification by the apex court—from the premiership and party leadership. “Those who served the country deserved respect,” he lamented.

Taking a jibe at his opponents, the prime minister said that the people, who had been sent packing in the last general elections by the public were preaching morality and integrity.

Regarding the economy, the PM said Pakistan has huge potential to increase its export products by adhering to global quality and standard which were requisite for global competition.

The government took steps to facilitate the private sector investment with different incentives which led to an increase in the business activities and eventually boosted the exports, he said, adding that the investment activities paved the ways for the creation of jobs and generation of tax revenues.

The PM further said that the government was striving to achieve a balance in import and export through short and long-term policies, which will settle energy issues besides a surge in the GDP. The PM assured that the government wanted to further strengthen the investors’ policies by seeking input from the opposition and with the help of the private sector.

ECP TO DECIDE IF OPP CAN’T AGREE ON CARETAKER SET UP: Earlier on Friday, the PM said efforts were being made to install a consensus caretaker set-up after the present government completes its tenure, but if the efforts failed the matter would go to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

In an interview with the private TV channel, the PM mentioned the role of opposition, particularly the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), in the recent elections of chairman and deputy chairman of Senate and said there can be some problems in reaching consensus over the caretaker set-up.

To a question, he said, he did not see any clash among the institutions as the federal government was set to complete its constitutional term after around two months, paving the way for new elections to be held within 60 days.

To another question, the PM said party Quaid Nawaz Sharif would continue to guide the party even after any court decision came against him.

He further added that such decisions will not stop Nawaz’s political career or involvement in politics, “neither did his political career end during the army’s reign, neither will it diminish now.”

Prime Minister Abbasi while responding to a question about the PML-N’s candidature for next prime minister said the party would take a decision after it gets a majority in the next election.

To another question, he said, there was a need for dialogue among the institutions to take the country forward and strengthen institutions.

The PM said the PML-N did not believe in “NROs”, adding, it neither opted for any NRO in the past nor it would go for any such arrangement in the future.

To another question, the PM said there were some problems in the interpretation and implementation of 18th Constitutional Amendment, adding, but there was nothing to worry as such issues were being discussed and resolved through the mechanism of the Council of Common Interests (CCI).