Zardari biggest threat to democracy, says Nawaz

In a scathing attack on President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Nawaz Sharif on Sunday declared him (Zardari) as the "biggest threat to democracy", saying that his party will not allow the government to go scot-free.
"The PML-N sees the government attitude about state's institutions with great concerns. We will not allow any person to dishonour the national institutions for personal interests or purposes. We strongly condemn the government one-sided action regarding judges' appointment by ignoring the constitution and Supreme Court's decision," Nawaz said while addressing a news conference here on Sunday after a party meeting to discuss the stand-off between the government and judiciary over judges' appointments.
He said that Saturday's incident seemed an action replay of November 3, 2007's actions. "We warn the government to stop this confrontational course and implement the recommendations of Chief Justice of Pakistan regarding the appointments of judges," he said. Criticising the government for its Saturday action, Nawaz said Zardari should withdraw the notifications.
"I never thought Zardari could pose such a danger to democracy, as he does today. If there is any danger to democracy, it is from Zardari. According to my view, Zardari is the biggest threat to democracy today," Sharif said in his most scathing criticism of the president.
He said it seemed that the government had not accepted independent judiciary wholeheartedly and the rulers continuously targeting the judiciary to protect their corruption and childishly playing with the state institutions. "The PML-N will not allow the government to move scot-free and in this regard, we are going to take important and crucial decisions in the coming days for the continuity of the democratic system. In this regard, we will contact other political parties. We always took clear-cut stand for supremacy of the constitution and democracy," he said.
Answering a question, PML-N Chief reiterated his demand that the NRO beneficiaries must resign. He demanded of the government to bring back the national wealth in Swiss banks. "This is the hard-earned money of the people of Pakistan," he added.
"We extended co-operation to government and President Zardari for ushering in a new era of real democracy in Pakistan, supremacy of the parliament and strengthening of institutions. But Asif Ali Zardari did not fulfil his promises made with us," he said.
He said that the issues being confronted by the country today would have not cropped up had the government repealed the 17th amendment and implemented Charter of Democracy (CoD). He demanded of the government to appoint judges of Supreme Court and high courts immediately as per the recommendations of the respective chief justices.
PML-N chief further demanded that 17th amendment should be repealed instantly, besides implementation of Supreme Court's judgement on NRO in letter and sprit. "If these demands were not met immediately PML-N would be forced to take appropriate course of action," he declared.