Railways Minister Saad Rafique Saturday criticized the parties demanding resignation from the ruling party, saying that no party can bring down Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Talking to mediapersons, Saad said that PML-N was the largest party of the country and its opponents were forming alliance to bring it down. "PPP, PTI and other groups can't bring down PML-N," he said.
The PML-N leader said that while there is nothing wrong with political alliances, holding rallies, and criticising the government, politics of lies and in the name of religion is saddening and causing inconvenience to the citizens. "Previously there used to be anti-Bhutto politics and now anti-Nawaz politics has become rampant," he said.
"We believe in rule of law, supremacy of Constitution and are willing to pay every price for the same," Saad said while adding, "Pro-Nawaz and anti-Nawaz politics is currently being practiced in the country." Khawaja Saad Rafique took a jibe at opponents stating that rivals are even willing to combine forces with the devil in bid to oust Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) from Pakistan's political landscape.
Rafique's comments come amid the increasing calls for resignations from political opponents, the latest being demands for Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif to step down. The senior PML-N leader said that they were not afraid of the challenges confronted with. He added that PML-N believed in sanctity of votes and rule of law. Rafique said: "if we refrain from telling lies then Pakistan democracy can move forward and flourish."
Keeping verbal onslaught up, the federal minister tagged Chaudhry brothers as 'robots of politics'. While claiming that even amalgamation of all opponents can't defeat PMLN, Saad accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Peoples Party of being locked in competition of hurling abuses.
Saad termed Asif Zardari a 'cunning guy' and apprised latter that votes of PPP have plummeted to thousands in numbers while the party was once the largest one. The federal minister urged rivals to refrain from undemocratic practices. Answering a question, Saad Rafique said that timely elections depend on constitutional amendment relating to delimitation of constituencies but PPP is delaying the amendment. He said no one can forecast the time of next elections, if they are once delayed. He said some political and non political actors are aligning with Qadri for their nefarious objectives.
BR staff reporter adds: All politics parties have agreed in All Political Parties Conference held by Lahore High Court Bar Association that democracy is the only solution of steering the country out of prevailing crisis. Martial law or non-political forces have no place in current set up and political forces would become iron wall to foil all attempts and conspiracies to derail democracy, said the declaration issued by All Political Parties Conference.
The conference also condemned American President Donald Trump's decision to accept Jerusalem as capital of Israel. The house also deplored vilification campaign launched by ruling party against the superior judiciary and judges, saying the judiciary is the guardian of rule of law in the country and protector of people's basic rights.
The house also resolved that the future of democracy is under threat in the prevalent political situation and all political parties have decided not to support any undemocratic step in the country. It is the sole prerogative of the parliament to rule the country, the declaration added. The house also demanded establishment of independent election commission and provision of fundamental rights of citizens and provision of speedy justice to the victim families of Model Town incident.
Leaders from all major political parties including ruling PML-N, Pakistan People's Party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Jamaat-i-Islami, Pak Sar Zameen Party and MQM-Pakistan participated in the conference. Earlier, Federal Minister for Railways Saad Rafique said democratic process should go on despite all differences. He said his political party made mistakes but PML-N also laid sacrifices to strengthen democracy. He pointed out that the political differences are the jewel of democracy but they should not be stretched to the extent to derail the democracy.
A scuffle also broke out between two groups of lawyers during Rasheed's address. Two back-to-back scuffles broke out between the lawyers as a group of lawyers wanted to sit on the stage, however, the organizing committee members told them they need to remain seated on their assigned seats. As the argument turned heated, Lahore High Court Bar Association President Chaudhry Zulfikar intervened and resolved the matter.