PML(N)
to participate in elections
Nawaz calls for elections to be held as scheduled
on Jan 8
LAHORE:
The Chief of PML(N) and ex-Prime Minister Mian
Nawaz Sharif has said that PML(N) will fully participate
in the general elections. Addressing a press conference
here on Monday, he said, PML had decided to boycott
election for expressing solidarity with PPP following
assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. However,
he said, PPP in its CEC meeting thanked PML for
its gesture and appealed to participate in elections.
He said during his visit to Naudaro Asif Ali Zardar
and other PPP leaders also had urged him for participation
in the elections. He said now after PPP has decided
to participate in elections, these should not
be delayed and held as per schedule. He alleged
that the government wanted to postpone elections
on the request of PML(Q). He said that if free,
fair and transparent elections are held PML(Q)
would not win more than ten seats. Nawaz Sharif
said "no country can run where constitution
and law is violated and judiciary is not given
due respect." Expressing apprehensions about
the credibility of Election Commission, he said,
it is not playing its role effectively to ensure
holding of elections in transparent manner. To
a question, he said, PPP is a political party
and PML(N) can go for forming coalition government
with it after elections. To a question, he expressed
concern about his security and said government
has not made proper arrangement in this regard.
He said at this critical juncture PPP and people
of Sindh would not be left alone. Regarding hands
behind assassination of Benazir Bhutto, he said,
she had given clear indication in this regard
in her letter and e-mail to a foreign journalist.
He regretted that it is vary unfortunate that
former prime ministers of the country were either
assassinated or sent behind bars or exiled.—Agencies