The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) on Wednesday rejected the government's claims of economic prosperity, alleging the living standard of the common man had deteriorated instead. Through resolutions, after the Central Executive Committee of the PML(N) met here, the party charged that economic policies were aimed at serving the outsiders and a particular group. The PML(N) assailed the government for the huge increase in the prices of petroleum products, and feared that trend would one day starve the people already living below the poverty line.
"The successes of the government on economic front are merely on papers, while the ground reality is quite opposite and alarming," one of the resolutions said.
Briefing media persons after the meeting, PML(N) Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq cautioned opposition parties against striking any deal with the establishment.
"Any deal or understanding with the establishment will harm not only the political parties, but also the country", he added.
Raja Zafar wanted political parties to beware of the 'establishment's trap', which he said would not be helpful in cementing the foundation of the country.
He reiterated his party's efforts to gather all small and big political parties on holding of fresh elections under a neutral election commission and revival of democracy.
The veteran politician made it categorically clear that his party was neither directly or indirectly in contact with the establishment.
About the possibility of the ARD and the MMA joining hands, he said the committee formed to expedite the process, could not work because of Qazi Hussain Ahmed's ailment and non-availability of Amin Fahim in recent past.
He said the central leadership of the party rejected the government's Kashmir policy, saying it was contrary to Pakistan's traditional stand.
The PML(N) leader called for settlement of the problem in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiris under the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
When his comments were sought on MMA leader Syed Munawar Hassan's statement that the MMA would consider PML-N's request to be part of the religious parties' alliance, he described it 'a sitcom of any private television channel.'
He flayed the government for the detention of the father of the country's nuclear programme, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, and the exile of Nawaz Sharif.
The person, who made Pakistan the only nuclear power in Islamic world, is under detention, while the one who detonated the atomic devices is in exile, he said, adding: "The policy of the government on the nuclear programme has been a total flop.".
The PML(N) created ripples on political scene when last week, it decided to suspend contacts with the PPP and the ARD for PPP's reported contacts with the military.
However, the situation was brought under control and fences were mended between the PPP and the PML(N), following telephonic contact between Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, both in exile. Back home, Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Raza Rabbani assured Raja Zafarul Haq, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan that they would not make any deal with the rulers sans the ARD.
Replying to a question, PML leader Nisar Ali Khan said that following their meeting with PPP leaders, mutual misunderstanding stood removed, adding: "Amin Fahim and Raza Rabbani assured us that there will be no deal with the establishment without taking the ARD into confidence." However, he said both admitted the party-establishment indirect contacts.
The party demanded that the passport of Nawaz Sharif be renewed that was his legitimate right.