Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Central Secretary Information Ahsan Iqbal came harsh on Federal Minister for Law Dr Babar Awan accusing him of holding 'fake' doctorate degree for the latter's criticism of the proposal given by Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif for holding All Parties Conference (APC) with participation of judiciary and military leadership to steer the country out of the looming crises.
In reaction to the statement of Babar Awan who had said that the Chief Minister wants the country to be led by a 'judicial martial law', Iqbal said that the minister was not even able to understand the statement of the Chief Minister. "The PML-N wants all the institutions to work within their constitutional domains," he said while addressing a press conference along with party's central leader Siddiqul Farooq and MNA Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry here on Wednesday.
Iqbal, while defending the proposal of the chief minister, said that he does not mean that military or judiciary should overstep their constitutional ambits, adding that the PML-N was against the military role in country's politics. He said it was unfortunate that despite several sacrifices for the restoration of democracy and ouster of military ruler General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf, the PML-N was being tagged as anti-democracy party. "Baber Awan himself was convicted in 'fake' degree case and how can he blamed top leadership of PML-N," he asked. "Babar Awan is the only law minister in the entire world who holds a fake degree," he said.
He further claimed that it was PML-N, which stood firm against granting indemnity to Musharraf for his unconstitutional steps. He also said PML-N never tried to grab power through unconstitutional ways like National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), but it believed in public power, adding that the party believes in democracy, which requires sincerity and public confidence.
Referring to the 10-point agenda of the party, Iqbal once again cautioned the government to remove all corruption-tainted officials from the key government corporations otherwise, he warned, the party's parliamentarians would stage sit-in protests in front of all the national institutions. He said that persons on key posts in the national institutions particularly in Pakistan Steel Mills, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and National Bank of Pakistan have been appointed on political grounds.
He said the PML-N was implementing the reform agenda in Punjab to establish a corruption-free society and good governance in the province. Responding to a question, Siddiqul Farooq said the APC proposed by the Chief Minister was meant to give another opportunity to the government after its failure to implement the 10-point agenda. He further said that the government has completely failed in materialising its promises to the masses, adding that it is time to make the ruler accountable.