Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Thursday decided not to join government in centre, as invited by the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, assuring the government of its support while remaining on opposition benches. The decision was taken in the meeting of Central Working Committee (CWC) of the party, which held here with PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif in the chair.
Addressing a news conference after the meeting, Nawaz Sharif said that his party had finally decided to remain in opposition rather joining the federal cabinet. "We will fully support the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government without attaining any federal ministry, if it sincerely served the country."
"It is a reality that any single party cannot address the issues the country is facing at present and country could not afford the politics of confrontation at this crucial juncture", Nawaz Sharif maintained. He said that his party had assured PPP and Prime Minister Gilani that PML-N would support every positive move of the government and not create any problem for the government just for the sake of opposition.
"It is for the first time in history of Pakistan and unprecedented, when opposition is extending its full support to the government and government should show its sagacity to work for the interest of Pakistan", Nawaz opined. Nawaz Sharif expressed serious concern over assassination of Baloch leaders and demanded of the government to constitute a judicial commission to probe the killings of Baloch leaders.
"Martial Laws and unconstitutional governments in past have created severe problems for Baloch people by pushing them to the wall and they are still feeling a sense of deprivation", he viewed. PML-N strongly condemns the assassination of Baloch leaders, Nawaz Sharif said, adding that PML-N may lodge FIR to probe the assassination of veteran politician Nawab Akbar Bughti, as Balochistan is in turmoil because of Nawab Akbar Bugti's assassination.
"People of Balochistan are not alone and the nation and PML-N is stood by them", he assured. He said that it is time to address the grievances of Baloch people and make efforts to heal their wounds. While continuing to press for prosecution of Musharraf under whose watch the operation was carried out, Nawaz Sharif asked the Government to hold the trial of military dictator Musharraf, adding Musharraf is responsible for uncertainty in Balochistan and hurting of Baloch sentiment.
He also asked the government to expose the hidden hand if there was any in Balochistan and save country from disintegration. Nawaz Sharif urged the government to repeal the 17th Amendment and implement the Charter of Democracy (CoD) besides restoring 1973 Constitution in letter and sprit.
CoD is a document suggesting solutions of all political, social and economic problems, he continued. To a question regarding any reconciliation with 'Chaudhries' of Gujrat, Nawaz Sharif said that Chaudhry brothers have extended a helping hand and support to a military dictator at the expense of democracy.
"If they tender apology to nation and pledge that they will not repeat this in future, we will talk to them", he added. Former prime minister praised the steps taken by government in Swat, Tribal Areas and other parts of NWFP, saying that only sagacious political decision could bail country out of crisis. Earlier, majority members of PML-N Central Working Committee, in its meeting opposed joining of government in center.