Shahbaz hails Kiyani's directive

The initiative of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani directing all officers of the Pakistan Army including commanding officers to abstain from meeting politicians, is a welcoming step and the move will help further increase professional capabilities of Army.
This was stated by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president and former Punjab chief minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif while talking to reporters at his Defence home here on Monday.
On the occasion, former federal minister and Pakistan People's Party leader Pervaiz Ali Shah announced to join the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and expressed full confidence in the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif.
Shahbaz said the directions of the COAS are aimed at keeping the army away from political affairs. 'It is our national responsibility to seek solution of all the problems confronting the country through unity,' he said.
This party fully supports the national reconciliation for setting up a neutral set-up and an independent election commission to hold free, fair and transparent polls. However, in the name of national reconciliation, those who got billions of rupees loans written off should not be pardoned, he added.
He further said that an independent and sovereign election commission is direly needed to save the federation. He made it clear that any further delay in holding general elections would prove disastrous for the country.
To a question, Shahbaz said fair, free and transparent polls are not possible under the present regime as well as election commission. He deplored the role of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and some senior officers at this critical phase of the country's history. He claimed that police officials are working day and night for the success of a Q-League candidate from Lahore while votes are being purchased at Rs 1500 per vote in a constituency of Lahore. Shahbaz also welcomed the joining of the PML-N by Pervaiz Ali Shah and said it would bring forward the process of harmony among the provinces.
Pervaiz Ali Shah told reporters on the occasion that some elements having childish approach tried to create hatred among the provinces after the assassination of Ms Benazir Bhutto.
He deplored the role of former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and added that the PML-N under the sagacious leadership of Nawaz Sharif was playing significant role for national unity and harmony. He said there was a cause of concern among the provinces in the present terrible situation.