Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday demanded immediate implementation of Charter of Democracy (CoD), abrogation of 17th Constitutional Amendment, trial of General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) under Article 6 of the Constitution and restoration of 1973 Constitution in its original shape.
Resolutions in this regard were adopted at a function organised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz here at Aiwan-e-Iqbal to mark October 12, as Defence of Democracy Day. It may be noted that on October 12, 1999 the elected government of Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif was removed as a result of military coup and General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) took charge of country's affairs.
The PML-N marked the day as Defence of Democracy Day and held rallies and functions across the country to condemn unconstitutional removal of elected government, a PML-N leader said.
Former President Rafiq Tarrar chaired the function while among others, Senior Advisor to CM, Sardar Zulifqar Ali Khosa, Punjab Minister for Jails Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, provincial Minister for Education Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Khawaja Saad Rafique MNA, Hamza Shahbaz MNA, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz and Mian Marghoob Ahmed MNA spoke on the occasion and slammed October 12, 1999 action that caused an irreparable loss to the country as well as nation.
The Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif had to attend the function but he could not turn up due to his some other preoccupations. A large number of PML-N activists turned up at the function. On the occasion, mediamen lodged strong protest when one of the PML-N activists misbehaved with a reporter of a private TV channel. The media personnel announced to boycott the function but on intervention of Hamza Shahbaz and other PML-N leaders journalists ended their protest.
Former President Rafiq Tarrar in his brief presidential address said that Mohammad Nawaz Sharif had always shown commitment with the country as well as nation and took bold decisions. He said Nawaz Sharif had not accepted foreign pressure and opted atomic explosions in the larger national interest. "It was due to this reason that Indian government after Pak nuclear explosions started thinking seriously for resolving issues with Islamabad and the then Indian Premier Vajpayee visited Lahore", he said.
Rafiq Tarrar further said, "When Nawaz Sharif was removed and detained at an unknown place, three army generals asked him to sign the proclamation of dissolving the assemblies but he took bold stand and refused to sign the papers." He further said that Nawaz Sharif come out of his Model Town residence on March 15 for a just struggle despite serious threats to his life. He strongly condemned terrorists attack on GHQ and prayed for country's security.
Former Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said that "weak democracy" is again facing threats due to wrong way of ruling by present rulers. However, he said that mid term polls is not solution of present situation. He asked the PPP government to set right its direction and pay immediate attention for implementation of CoD, supremacy of parliament, restoration of parliamentary form of government and ensure good governance.
Khawaja Saad Rafique asked President Asif Ali Zardari to look towards people of Pakistan instead of Americans. He alleged that persons like Rehman Malik and Hussein Haqqani are working for others instead of Pakistan, therefore, both should be replaced with seasoned PPP leaders.
He said that his party would never allow any non political force to intervene in democratic process. "We need national army under the control of Prime Minister," he said. He said that army must use constitutional ways to express its sentiments. At the same breath he asked President Asif Zardari not to doubt integrity of army leadership. He said text of Kerry Lugar bill is objectionable and unacceptable for the countrymen. How can we accept that the US Congress had adopted the Bill without consultation with Foreign Office, Pak Ambassador in the US and Pakistan lobbyist, he questioned?
Hamza Shahbaz MNA paid tributes to PML-N activists who rendered sacrifices during unconstitutional rule of Pervez Musharraf. He said even female family members of the PML-N workers were not spared and arrested by police during Musharraf's regime. He said PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif asked that party workers who rendered sacrifices must be given party offices. He said that his party would make example to Pervez Musharraf by holding him accountable.
Senator Pervaiz Rasheed in his speech said that PML-N leadership is determined to steer the country out of prevailing crises and push it on road to progress and prosperity. He said real force is of people and no body could stand against the might of people. He regretted that hard conditionalities are being imposed on country.