PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said that time has come for unity of the whole nation against corruption and 'inaction'. Addressing a meeting of the provincial organising committee of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Punjab, he said that democracy and inaction could not go side by side, while corruption is not tolerated in civilised democratic societies.
He said the PML-N would lead the nation on the pattern of Pakistan Movement to usher in the era of peace, prosperity and development in the country after addressing the issues created by a dictator and inefficiency of inaction of rulers. "The Pakistani nation had shown determination and courage after becoming atomic power and also forged unity for the restoration of judiciary," he said.
He said that parliament must be made sovereign and country's affairs should be run with consultation. Those who got their loans written off, violated the Constitution and law and killed Akber Bugti must be held accountable, he added.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Zafar ul Haq, Javed Hashmi, Sartaj Aziz, Ahsan Iqbal, Saad Rafique, Zulifqar Ali Khosa, Mohammad Pervaiz, Ayaz Amir, M Hamza, Ghulam Dastgir Khan, Siddique-ul-Farooq, Pervaiz Rasheed, Tanvir, Sanaullah, Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman, Ms Najam Hameed, Shaista Pervaiz, Bilal Yaseen, Marghoob, Naseer Bhutta and other members of the organising committee. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif could not attend the meeting due to ill health.
After the meeting, Siddique-ul-Farooq told Business Recorder that Nawaz had asked President Asif Ali Zardari to annul the 17th Constitutional Amendment in the larger interest of the country and nation, and keep intact restriction imposed by a dictator of becoming Prime Minister for the third consecutive term.
"The PML-N is playing the role of responsible opposition in the larger national interest. We are friendly for the nation and sincerely striving for strengthening of institutions," he said, quoting Nawaz as having said. Advisor to Chief Minister Mohammad Pervaiz told this scribe after the meeting that PML-N has declared year 2010 as year of party's reorganisation.
He said that party offices would be set up at district level in January and February this year while membership drive would be run in March under the supervision of Nawaz. The party's reorganisation and membership drive would be completed by June this year and the PML-N is all set to become the most organised and powerful political force in the country, he said, adding that party die-hards and loyalists would be given positions in the party.
He said the PML-N chief has appointed him as head of finance committee of PML-N Punjab which would look into financial matters during the reorganisation process. Addressing the meeting, Nawaz stressed the need for resolving problems and challenges confronted by the country and the nation by the government with sincerity. "The PML-N believes in neat and clean politics, and we would give a new vision on political, economic, educational, health and unemployment issues by following in the footsteps of ancestors."
He said that his party's think tank and committees on different subjects are devotedly working to draft policies that could secure the country's future by tackling internal and external challenges. "The PML-N is aware of its national obligations and is striving for stability of democracy, but problems like corruption, price hike, lack of basic necessities and unemployment are unacceptable," he said.
He said, "It is unfortunate that despite being an atomic power, there are grave problems of electricity, gas and water shortage." Nawaz said the PML-N was proud of its die-hard workers who rendered sacrifices for the cause of democracy. He asked his party activists to spread party message in every nook and corner of the country during reorganisation process. He also asked them to muster public opinion on national issues.
Sartaj Aziz, who heads PML-N reorganisation committee, presented proposals, and the participants shared views on this issue. Saad Rafique also presented suggestions on reorganisation of the party. Earlier, Nawaz Sharif chaired a meeting to review various proposals of new local bodies system in Punjab. The meeting decided to invite proposals from public representatives, civil society and media before tabling the Punjab Local Government Bill 2010 in the Punjab Assembly.
Moreover, the media men had to face hardships, as they waited for about over five hours outside 90, Sharah-e-Quaid-e-Azam to cover the event. They remained there in the cold weather but no arrangements were made for them. Angry media men refused to talk with Ahsan Iqbal when he came there to brief them after the meeting at about 4.30 pm. They refused to accept tea.