“Masses” Foiled Plans of Ex-PM’s Party to Disrupt Order- Pakistan Minister

Text of report by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency

Islamabad, 10 September: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani said on Monday [10 September] that the PML-N [Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz faction] had made an attempt to create law and order situation in Punjab and NWFP [North West Frontier Province] on the return of Mian Nawaz Sharif which was foiled by the people of Pakistan.

“Under a well-conceived plan, the PML-N tried to repeat the confrontational politics adopted in the era during 1988-99. They attempted to create law and order situation on a massive scale in Punjab and NWFP on Monday and a firing incident in Attock was reflective of this design. Moreover, the statement of Shahbaz Sharif who had vowed to create law and order situation on television channels was also a proof to this affect”. “But the masses, who were well aware of this design, expressed maturity and foiled all such efforts by staying away from such negative tactics. The same was the case with the leadership and workers of MMA [Muttahida Majlis-e- Amal] and PPP [Pakistan People's Party] who cooperated with the government and stayed away from the acts of PML-N.

This is a referendum that the people want economic-political stability in the country and reject politics of confrontation,” said the minister while talking to newsmen here. When asked what the lesson of this political episode was, the minister said that departure of Mian Nawaz Sharif to Saudi has proved that he had been lying to the nation about his agreement with the Saudi government for the last seven years.

“The lesson is that from now onwards, no friendly state or individual would ever believe any verbal or written agreement of Nawaz Sharif. This also establishes that in future neither any individual nor party would ever breach any agreement or tells a lie to the nation,” he said and added that the reluctance of Sharif’s to comply with the agreement was against the cultural traditions of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi authorities were shocked to find that the Sharif were not ready to comply with the accord. Referring to the role of Saudi Arabia, the Minister said that Saudi Arabia was the most respected and trusted friend of Pakistan and respecting the friendly states is a golden tradition in the history of international relations history.

“We should discuss matters pertaining to Saudi Arabia with great respect and regard as respect of revered and friendly states falls in the domain of national interests. These are very sensitive matters and the media should also take it carefully and respectfully,” he said, adding that guarantors of the agreement were taking this matter emotionally as they have no history of breaching agreements at such high level. Durrani said that Mian Nawaz Sharif had himself opted to go to Saudi Arabia on his free will as he did not want to remain in jail.

“On arrival, Nawaz Sharif was served with warrants in a NAB [National Accountability Bureau] case. However, before being taken into custody, he was also offered the option of leaving for Saudi Arabia in line with his agreement with the Government of Saudi Arabia. Mian Nawaz Sharif accepted the offer and left for Saudi Arabia,” he said adding that the return aimed at winning political mileage and the decision of not accompanying Shahbaz Sharif proves this fact. He had left the country and his party on his free will in year 2000 and he has done it again today,” he said. When asked about the reported maltreatment with Mian Nawaz Sharif at Islamabad Airport, the Minister said that no such incident occurred at the airport.

“Look, the government had given clear instructions that the media and Nawaz Sharif should be handled with care and respect. Secondly, Nawaz Sharif was encircled by hundreds of his party workers at the airport and there has been no such statement reported by the PML- N,” said the minister.

When the minister was asked had the government not violated the orders of the apex court regarding Sharif’s return, the minister said the government would obey all orders of the court as it had done in the past. However, he was of the view that Nawaz Sharif himself had opted to leave for Saudi Arabia.

Durrani said the ongoing economic-political stability in Pakistan was going to stay in the country and all efforts to create uncertainty in the country by introducing confrontation-based politics would be foiled. “The people have taken a sigh of relief on the departure of Nawaz Sharif and this envisages that the masses support the politics of dialogue and economic stability,” he concluded.

Originally published by Associated Press of Pakistan news agency, Islamabad, in English 1813 10 Sep 07.

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