President, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, on Wednesday accused Mutthaida Qaumi Movement (MQM) of introducing terrorism in politics in Pakistan. He also accused the MQM of disturbing peace in Karachi. "The politics of terrorism in Pakistan started with the creation of MQM, which is also involved in disturbing peace in Karachi," Nawaz Sharif said in an interview to a private TV channel during his visit to rain-affected areas of Sindh.
Stating that his party was against terrorism, PML-N chief referred to Karachi operation against MQM conducted during his first tenure as prime minister, and said, "MQM should now make it clear whether it wants clean politics or terrorism through its armed wings."
Nawaz Sharif dispelled the perception that 'Go Zardari Go' was the name of his party's movement. "Such a slogan is very old one. Now there must be a change in Pakistan," he said. PML-N chief alleged that those, who were in government, were themselves involved in corruption and how could such people bring the country out of crises.
Our reporter Ali Hussain from Islamabad adds: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) may opt for tendering resignations from assemblies as a last ditch effort to topple PPP-led coalition government before Senate polls in March 2012. According to reliable party sources, the PML-N leadership is mulling over various options to overthrow the government ie resignations from National Assembly as well as provincial assemblies, notably Punjab, under its "Go Zardari Go" drive.
The first salvo was kicked off from Islamabad with PML-N's first sit-in outside Presidency on October 6 led. Sources maintain that the option of tendering resignations from assemblies will be used when the anti-government drive is at its peak in January; parliamentarians belonging to PML-Q dissident faction would be invited at that time to join hands with PML-N, the second largest party in the 342-member Lower House with 92 seats.
If a large number of PML-Q members join the PML-N move the government would be compelled to hold general elections instead of going for bye-elections on the vacant seats. As part of the strategy, PML-N leadership has already begun public meetings in several parts of the country, including the PPP stronghold in interior Sindh, to prepare the ground for a 'big-show' against the government, the sources added.
Political analysts argue that the ongoing mass contact movement by PML-N accompanied by fiery speeches in public gatherings targeting President Zardari by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, are what is usually heard during an election campaign. By highlighting corruption, power crisis, lack of adequate assistance to flood victims, the PML-N chief is attempting to bring it home to the public that PML-N is the best alternate option in next general elections.
The frequent visits of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to PPP stronghold in Sindh has been a source of annoyance for the ruling party's leadership. As part of the drive, Nawaz on Wednesday visited flood-hit areas of Sindh again where he urged the people of Sakrand to vote the next time around only after checking the track record of parties, saying that PPP-led government has failed to address the problems of masses.
The party has also constituted a committee headed by Senator Ishaq Dar to visit Balochistan with the objective of mustering support in Balochistan. The committee which comprises Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, MNAs Tahmina Daultana, Lieutenant General Abdul Qadir Baloch (Retd), Sardar Yaqoob Nasir, party's Central Information Secretary Mushahidullah Khan, Sardar Sanaullah Zehri and Nawaz Changaiz Marri, is expected to visit Balochistan in next two days and would first visit the Hazara community that has suffered due to target killings.
In the second phase of the visit, the PML-N delegation would visit the Baloch leadership that boycotted the all parties' conference recently called by Prime Minister Gilani on national security. PML-N sources added that mass contact drive would gain further momentum with the advent of the New Year when a 'concluding' shape would be given to the anti-government movement before the Senate elections in March.