PML-N to work for restoration of ’73 Constitution: Nawaz

LAHORE: PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that the party would work for the restoration of the 1973 Constitution in its original form.

Addressing the PML-N parliamentary party in the Punjab here at Raiwind on Wednesday, he said the PML-N has talked to Prime Minister Gilani for repealing the 17th Amendment and reinstating the 1973 Constitution in its original form. PML-N President Mian Shahbaz Sharif also addressed the meeting attended by 208 MPAs.

Mian Nawaz Sharif said that the PML-N would continue its struggle to safeguard public interests. He said that the PML-N would not ignore those who rendered sacrifices for the party in difficult times.

“The purpose of the long march was the restoration of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other deposed judges. Ending of governors’ rule was not part of the agenda,” he said, adding if that had been the case, the marchers would not have abandoned their journey towards Islamabad.

Addressing the parliamentary party, Mian Shahbaz Sharif said that the public was sure that Mian Nawaz Sharif would not compromise on principles and on future of the country. He said that the US diplomat and Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrook was told that Mian Nawaz Sharif was facing life threats. He said he had informed the US diplomat that Nawaz Sharif could not go back on his words now. “If Nawaz Sharif desired, no one had the courage to continue with governor’s rule in the Punjab,” Shahbaz said.

Later while briefing media persons on the parliamentary meeting, PML-N Punjab President Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa said there were 208 parliamentarians in the meeting, including 33 from the PML-Q. He said the governor had no authority to withhold the convening of the assembly session. He said the governor should immediately convene the assembly session for transferring power to the party enjoying majority in the House. He said the governor would be given hard response if he tried to play any foul. He asked as to why PPP ministers and parliamentarians did not make any complaint against the PML-N government during the past one year?