Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday said that pro-status quo forces were active to block the way of democratic process, and postponement of by-election was a move in this direction.
In a telephonic interview to a private television channel he said that conspiracy factors in the country want to sabotage the coalition governments at the Centre and Punjab but the PML (N) along with democratic forces would not allow such moves to succeed.
The Minister said that, according to information, it was Rehman Malik who advised the NWFP government to seek postponement of by-election on law and order grounds, and added that surprisingly the entire leadership of PPP had criticised this decision.
He said that PML(N) would continue with its struggle for restoration of deposed judges and strengthening of democratic institutions in the country whatsoever the consequences would be.
In reply to a question he said the decision regarding postponement of election was Shahbaz-specific move, and added that prior to the announcement of June 18 date for by-election the ECP was well aware that federal and provincial budget would come in this period. The Minister expressed hope that judges would be restored by May 12, and added that if it did not happen then it would not be possible for PML(N) to remain in the coalition government.