Updated on
Summary
Expressing his delight over PM Gilanis positive reply on his proposed reformation agenda, PML-N patron Mian Nawaz Sharif on Monday assured the incumbent government of all-out support in the face of multiple crises that beset the country. Nawaz said this during a press briefing in Lahore. However, the PML-N chief denied having used the word ultimatum: I just asked the government to say yes or no, ultimatum is not in my dictionary, he added. He said that he never called for mid-term polls in a proper way. For the very first time the Opposition came forward and urged the ruling party for the betterment of the country, he maintained. Setting a 45-day deadline, Nawaz maintained that he put forward the 10-point agenda for Pakistan, and added that no personal interest was at work. The implementation of the following agenda would help us maintain self-sufficiency and sovereignty, he asserted. Enlisting the agenda, Nawaz make the nation witness to see the government implement it to steer the country out of crises facing the country. The reforms agenda mostly comprises PML-Ns old demands, including removal of ministers allegedly involved in corruption, setting up of an independent accountability commission, implementation of the Supreme Courts judgment on the National Reconciliation Ordinance and reduction in the size of the cabinet. He urged the government to immediately withdraw the recent increase in oil prices and devise a new pricing mechanism to save the nation from the effects of change in prices in the international market. He also asked the government to formulate a strategy to end the energy crisis. The PML-N chief called for removal of ministers, bureaucrats and heads of autonomous bodies and corporations who were involved in corruption and their replacement with competent and capable people. The reforms agenda includes the demand for setting up an independent accountability commission and reconstitution of the election commission to make it independent and impartial.The PML-N also wants at least 30 per cent reduction in governments expenditures and measures to reduce prices of essential commodities to provide relief to the masses. It wants the prime minister to implement the SC verdict on the NRO in letter and spirit and reduce the size of the federal cabinet.Moreover, the party desires to see behind the bar all those involved in the sugar and Agosta submarine scams and a thorough probe into embezzlement and fraud in institutions like the National Logistic Cell, Pakistan Steel Mills and the Bank of Punjab. The PML-N wants the PPP government to initiate action against people who got their loans written off and bring the amount back to the national exchequer.Mr Sharif also announced the setting up of a 4-member committee to coordinate with the government regarding the agenda. The committee would be headed by Senator Ishaq Dar. Deploring the status quo, Nawaz held the dictators responsible for the crises, saying that they destroyed the country in the name of reform.
