Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has decided to reach out to party workers and office-bearers as a part of his mass-contact drive across the country to spread the message of PML-N. The decision was taken in a consultative meeting held at Raiwind residence of the ousted premier on Tuesday, which discussed proposals about tour of Nawaz Sharif to KPK, South Punjab, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir and Sindh, sources said.
The meeting also discussed the upcoming NA-120 by-election and decided to run the campaign in an organised and effective manner, the sources added. Federal Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, however, said that no final decision has so far been taken regarding the mass-contact drive by Nawaz Sharif.
"Nawaz Sharif wants sanctity of vote and provision of speedy justice to people." In this regard, he said some important constitutional amendments are required so that elected prime minister may not face threat of disqualification. "There must be rule of law and supremacy of constitution in the country," he said. Answering a question, he said Imran Khan had committed 'historical mistake.' "Time is not far when he would come for talks with the PML-N. He is worried after warm reception to Nawaz Sharif during GT road rally," he commented.
When asked about Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the PML-N leader said difference of opinion in political parties is part of democracy. Nisar Ali Khan is among those party leaders who gave future direction to the party, Saad added. To another query, he said electoral reforms bill would be historic and it would be passed with the cooperation of other parties. When asked about the PPP, Saad Rafique said he (Bilawal Bhutto) is being misguided. Had Asif Zardari guided his son, things would have been much better, he opined.
Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq told media that the PML-N has not yet contacted any political party over changes in the Articles 62 & 63 of the constitution. He said an important bill on electoral reforms will be passed on Thursday, adding that democracy needs to be strengthened in a way that sanctity of the vote is not violated. The speaker rebutted claims that the prime minister during his addresses on the GT Road rally had shown disrespect to the judiciary or any other institution. Nawaz Sharif had only talked about claiming his rights, he added.
Senator Asif Kirmani said that Nawaz Sharif would himself disclose about the conspiracy at some appropriate time. To a question, he said matters pertaining to reorganization of the party, future programme and contest of NA-120 were discussed in today's consultative meeting.
The sources claimed that Nawaz is likely to choose Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the first province for the purpose of his mass contact drive. The sources added that Nawaz Sharif would visit Mansehra district to mobilise the PML-N supporters and meet the local party leadership. The Mansehra visit was most likely to be undertaken before Eid ul Azha to keep up the momentum generated by the GT Road's homecoming rally, the sources said. However, some party leaders suggested Nawaz to visit South Punjab, especially Multan & Rahim Yar Khan, the sources added.