The Awami National Party (ANP) has formally sought support of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) on its demand for renaming the NWFP as "Pakhtoonkhawa." The ANP central leader and Federal Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, during a meeting with PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif at his Raiwind residence on Friday, requested the former for the PML-N support on this issue, sources told Business Recorder.
During the meeting, various matters of mutual interest, including the country's political and economic situation, and efforts being made for the supremacy of parliament through annulment of the 17th Amendment and other black laws of the Musharraf regime, the sources said.
Sources, close to the PML-N leadership, told this scribe that Nawaz Sharif apprised the ANP leader about his party's stand on the issue of renaming the NWFP as "Pakhtoonkhawa." It may be noted that Nawaz Sharif, during his recent visit to Peshawar on Eid day, told reporters that the name of "NWFP" should be changed with consensus. On the other hand, President Asif Ali Zardari in his recent TV interview said the nation would soon hear good news about a proposal to rename NWFP as "Pakhtoonkhawa."
During talks with Bilour, the PML-N Quaid said that accountability of those, who got their loans worth over Rs 100 billions of written off, was necessary. "No body should be above the law and no amnesty be given under the NRO. No body is sacred cow and all those, who committed any wrong, must be punished under the law," he said. Nawaz said that people would get fruits of democracy only through rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution, as it would also strengthen democracy.
"People have many hopes with the democratic government and political leaders, as they want to live with peace where they could get all the basic necessities," he said. The PML-N Quaid further said that political forces rendered a lot of sacrifices for present democratic set-up, therefore, it was joint responsibility of both the government and opposition to make it successful. However, he said, the opposition was justified in its stance that people be provided basic necessities, justice and good governance through eradication of corruption.
He said strength of democratic system was conditional with transparent accountability system. He said the PML-N would continue its efforts for rule of law, supremacy of Constitution, prosperity of the country and maintenance of law and order in the country. He also expressed sympathies with the people of NWFP, particularly Peshawar, over loss of precious lives in acts of terrorism.