All major media outlets are reporting that Pakistan’s two main opposition parties, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), have announced to form the new government together. News reports also suggest this understanding has been reached at both center as well as provincial level.
The photo below shows Asif Ali Zardari shaking hands with Nawaz Sharif at a press conference after their meeting in Islamabad on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008.
According to the Daily News:
Nawaz Sharif maintained that there is no difference in the two parties on the restoration of the deposed judges. “We accept the mandate of PPP with an open heart and wish that PPP complete its five year term,” he said, adding, “struggle for restoration of judiciary will continue and CoD will also be followed.” PPP Co-Chairman, Asif Zardari said PPP and PML-N have decided to work together for democracy. However, he said, some of the matter are yet to be decided by the parties. Ali Zardari said that both the leaders have decided to stay united in the parliament. Nawaz Sharif said, ‘We fought against the dictatorship and will keep doing so.”
According to a Daily Dawn update of 23:38 hours PST
Former Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday his party would form a coalition government with the party of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto after they won crucial elections. “We have agreed on a common agenda. We will work together to form the government in the centre and in the provinces,” Sharif told a joint news conference with Bhutto’s widower Asif Ali Zardari. “We will ensure that you complete a full five years’ term,” said Sharif, addressing Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
What About the Judges?
According to Associated Press feed of 11:35 hours USA CST:
Sharif said the two parties had agreed in principle on restoration of judges purged by Musharraf when he declared emergency rule late last year — an issue that many see as a possible source of discord between the parties. “In principle there’s no disagreement on restoration of the judiciary. We will work on the modalities in parliament,” said Sharif, who has previously demanded the immediate reinstatement of the detained ex-Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry.
What Do You Think?
Our question to readers is; What do you think? Is this a good move, a bad move, a hasty move or were there any alternatives that got over looked. We would like to hear from you.
References:
1. The Daily Dawn Pakistan update here
2. CNN story here
3. Associated Press story here
4. The Daily News Pakistan update here
5. The Daily Jang Pakistan update here
6. BBC story here
Photo Credits: Associated Press
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Well it seems that the looters have united. Though I am trying to look at this unity from a positive point. Not that this will bring any good to Pakistan, but probably this will end the voters doubt whether these two parties are any use or not. At least once they fail together, the voters won’t be voting for them anymore. Otherwise it used to shift in balance each election from PPP to PML (N). If they work together and fail at least we will get someone new.
I hope the sequence of events follow the pattern that i am about to outline, though its just a dream.
PPP and PML(N) join hands. Musharraf is ousted. After a year they fail and the nation gets frustrated again. Enter Chief of Army Staff, throws out the govt. proposes Imran Khan to become the next PM, and this time he accepts. Pakistanis live happily ever after.
Ok, I know its far fetched, but can’t a person at least dream for good times.
I think it is good news. I think they need to be very very careful though. Some of the signals from the West are worrisome…. particularly the fact that they want the PM to work with the president and not the other way around. One thing is fact-the country is behind the politicians at this moment. They have to seize the moment. I, for one, am guardedly optimistic that they will.
Time for Altaf Hussain to walk the walk, and support the call for Musharraf to Resign.
Talk is cheap Altaf Hussain. Now Walk the walk. Join the Unity government and kick the dictator out! You have NO excuse now.
What concerns me is that Zardari has not personally said that he wants the restoration of judiciary. And Nawaz seems a little less firm too.
Great news with a big IF with caveats galore but lets dream a little guys. Haven’t we all seen too many nightmares recently in Pakistan. That said:
Jeeyooooooooooooooooo to the lawyers who have led us to this day. I salute those sons and daughters of the Quaid.
Lets not forget we are in this position today due to the Chief Justice’s and his sacrifice, do see the link below about the treatment meted out to his son Balaj below, it is a must read for all:
http://www.otherpakistan.org/today2.html
Feimanallah Pakistan
Wasim
PMA sb,
I agree with your perspective that both political parties do not carry enough credentials to run this country.
But there is a great difference between 90’s and now. Earlier it was power politics, but now these leaders going through exiles, jails, self exiles and assassinations have learnt a lot. Now they are negotiating the issues rather than ministries, they know that Gen. Musharraf and his cronies are ousted by the people as they performed very bad in flour, sugar, power, gas and inflation. The lawyers movement, civil society activism and media will be catalyst in the coming days to develop public opinion.
There are myriads of problems and challenges which the coming government will have to face and settle. Its not going to work if they get into blame game rather the putting their energies into solving these issues.
I hope and pray this parliament set a good precedence for the future of democracy in our country.
This is not about the new coalition, but I had a few questions about the MMA and about many seats it contested in the NWFP.
Did they boycott the elections?
And if they did and put up only a handful of candidates what percentage of them won? Did most of those who ran win? Is it likely that they win a lot of seats because they didn’t field as many candidates?
Would appreciate a response. Thanks.
I hope that PML-N and PPP would work together for the democracy and stability in Pakistan but realistically speaking, both these parties are so different to get along for long.
First of all, I see in near future that PML-N and PPP would not get along, at the same time, PPP will be divided into further different factions, because if Zardari.
I think following would be happening:
1. The new parlianment would stay just over a year and then people will get fed up with these politicians yet again.
2. Musharraf will use 52-B to dissolve the parlianment.
3. New elections will be held where PML-Q will be the winner and we would have 5 more yrs of PML-Q and Musharraf.
Not that I want it, but this is my prediction according to what I see and my experience by looking in the history of
Pakistan.