ISLAMABAD: Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), attacked Pakistan’s presidency on Tuesday for conspiring against his party.
“Though we are part of a coalition, rather heading the coalition in Punjab, in major decision-making the federal government is not taking us in confidence,” said Sharif while addressing his party’s Central Executive Council in Lahore on Tuesday.
“The federal government has increased the prices of petroleum products without debating the issue in Parliament. Similarly, the federal government has lately, and intentionally, allowed an unprecedented increase in sugar prices and the price index of essential goods during Ramadan had shot by over 125 percent,” he said.
“Despite repeated promises, the Zardari government is not implementing the Charter of Democracy which the slain leader of the PPP had agreed and initiated,” he added.
Sharif said that a secret cell had been established in the presidency to carry out character assassinations of national leaders. He, however, made no comment about the huge chunk of money that was disbursed by the ISI in 1990 and of which he himself was a recipient.
Ahsan Iqbal, a senior PML (N) leader and member of the National Assembly, told Arab News that Sharif said his party is cooperating with the government for the smooth functioning of democracy.
Quoting Sharif, Ahsan Iqbal said, “We demand a halt to the campaign of mud-slinging. Otherwise we will have the right to hit back in the same manner.”
He said the PML (N) strongly demands an end to the 17th Constitutional Amendment and shifting of powers to the prime minister through the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
Ahsan Iqbal said the government has failed to address the basic problems of the people of Pakistan and was, therefore, busy in deflecting people’s attention to non-issues.
He also said that retired Brig. Imtiaz was in a clandestine manner supportive of the Secret Cell of Presidency, which is being managed by Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer and others.
