Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said Monday said that by taking oath under the constitution as it was on November 2 last year the lawmakers demonstrated the new parliament would be independent and sovereign.
Talking to media after a meeting with former chief justice of Pakistan Saeed-uz-Zamaan Siddiqui here at the Frontier House, the PML-N leader said, "We do not accept extra-constitutional steps and have rejected the PCO."
He said the PML-N would work to strengthen the newly elected assembly and the Federation and take the country forward. The newly elected lawmakers would keep the country's flag high, he added. Nawaz Sharif expressed concern over "conspiracies" to subvert the February 18 mandate of the people.
He said the parliament and the incoming coalition government would take decisions in national interest without being influenced from abroad. "This country belongs to its people and we have to do what is good for the country and its future," he said.
Replying a question, he said the coalition partners were engaged in dialogue process and had a common open agenda, which they would collectively strive to implement. He said the nomination of candidates for the offices of prime minister, speaker and deputy speaker was the right of the Pakistan people's Party.
Nawaz Sharif said the PML-N will stand with PPP and respect its decision about the nominations. He said while the National Assembly was called after one-month delay there was no indication as yet about summoning the provincial assemblies' sessions.
To a question about possibility of an impeachment move against the President, he said it depended on the President, who he added should make timely decision to avert such action. Justice Siddiqui also talk to reporters on the occasion, saying he had given his viewpoint to the PML-N Quaid over the reinstatement of deposed judges.
The former chief justice said a simple majority of the National Assembly could restore the sacked judges, adding that the President should respect the masses' verdict in the elections. He said the parliament should not in any case validate the steps that were taken on November 3 under the emergency.