'PML-N to back PPP if 17th amendment scrapped'

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Quaid Nawaz Sharif has if 17th amendment is scraped, it is the prerogative of the Pakistan Peoples Party to nominate its candidate for the office of president. The PML-N Quaid further said that his party was committed to the agreements reached with the PPP on August 5 and 7 and would support presidential candidate under these accords.
He was addressing a news conference at his Raiwind residence after a meeting with the PPP delegation, comprising leader of the house in the Senate Raza Rabbani, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Ministers Sherry Rehman and Syed Khurshid Shah on Saturday.
Nawaz said: "If the 17th amendment remains part of the Constitution, then a national figure, having national stature, is to be nominated by four coalition partners with consensus." Replying to a question about extending support to Asif Ali Zardari as presidential candidate, Nawaz said that decision to support to the PPP co-chairman as presidential candidate, would be taken after due consultations with the party leaders.
However, he said that despite having a right being major coalition partner, neither he himself nor any body else from his party was in the run for the presidential election.
Nawaz said he had great respect for Asif Ali Zardari, but the PML-N wanted to ensure powers of Parliament and the Prime Minister as per the original 1973 Constitution. Answering a question, he said the power of dissolving the assemblies should rest with the Prime Minister instead of the President.
When asked why Asif Ali Zardari was not honouring the agreements made with the PML-N, Nawaz smilingly replied: "Kya Hoa Tera Wada Wo Qasam Wo Irada." He further said that the PML-N had no lust for power rather it was waging a just struggle for the sake of the country. "We had not joined the coalition for the sake of power but for restoration of judges," he said.
To another question, Nawaz said the presidential election's schedule was announced in haste without consultation with the PML-N. Earlier, the PPP delegation, during a meeting with Nawaz Sharif, requested him to announce support to Asif Ali Zardari in presidential election, sources told Business Recorder.