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| India-Pakistan |
| Sherry denies political vendetta against Nawaz |
| 2008-09-04 |
| Information Minister Sherry Rehman on Tuesday denied reports that the National Accountability Bureau was reopening cases against the Sharif brothers. While addressing a press conference here at the PID media centre, she said the PPP would not destabilise the PML-N government in the Punjab, as her party was part of the alliance there. The minister said that Asif Ali Zardari was emerging as a consensus candidate for the presidency by almost all the political parties of the country and that the government did not need horse-trading. "Majority of the political parties, including the Awami National Party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the JUI-F, parties from Balochistan, individual members of parliament from the PML-Q and even the Jamaat-e-Islami have announced their support for Zardari's candidature," she added. She said the decision of major political forces to set their differences aside and back a candidate that was a symbol of the federation reflected their commitment to the cause of a strong Pakistan. She said Asif Ali Zardari had the credentials to serve the cause of the federation as well as strong parliamentary institutions. "This is an indication of a realisation among all the political forces that the office of president should support a parliamentary system that stands for people's representation. "Zardari also announced that the PPP does not believe in politics of revenge as he was convinced that democracy is the best revenge," she said. To a question, she said Zardari would be different from Musharraf, as he would not enter the presidency by violating the Constitution, neither has he created a king's party like the previous practices. "Rather he is the leader of the largest political force in the country, which enjoys support of almost all the political powers," she added. She said the credit of removing a dictator from the presidency without any violence goes to the PPP and its allies. Agencies add: Sherry Rehman made it clear that there was no political vendetta against PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif, stressing the PPP does not believe in the politics of vengeance. Replying to a question, she said, "We want politics of harmony and consensus." She further said some elements were trying to create anarchy among political parties but ìwe want all the democratic parties to flourish in the larger interest of the country.î To another question, Sherry said edible items would be provided at all the Utility Stores at subsidized rates in Ramazan. She said a surveillance committee headed by the finance minister would ensure the provision of edible items at controlled rates. To a question, she said Zardari was neither a general nor a bureaucrat. He is a political figure and enjoys the support of the people. To a question about the suspension of the military operation in the tribal areas, she said the operation had been suspended in respect of the holy month of Ramazan. "The suspension of the military operation does not mean that the government is negotiating with the terrorist elements," she said, adding the displaced people of Bajaur were returning and over 150,000 people had returned to their homes during the last few days. |
| Posted by:Fred |