Nawaz for blocking future martial law and dictatorship

ISLAMABAD : Chief of his own faction of Pakistan Muslim League Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that strengthening of institutions is imperative to block the way of martial law and dictatorship in future.Talking to a private television channel the former Prime Minister said that strengthening of democracy, supremacy of parliament and independence of judiciary and media are the objectives which, if achieved, would help keep the vehicle of democracy on right track.
Nawaz said that parliament is a sovereign institution and it should demonstrate its sovereignty through actions.
There is no role for President Musharraf in the new set up he said adding the people have given clear cut verdict against the policies of president.
He said the coalition government has no threat from any side except from presidency adding “we should pay more attention towards that side to avert any threat.”
Nawaz said the restoration of the judges is first test of the coalition government and this challenge should be met.
He said that for the success of coalition government the leadership is expected to take strong decisions.
The coalition partners should implement people’s verdict which is to get rid of dictatorship.
It is the duty of the coalition government to steer the country out of the critical condition which it has inherited from the previous government, he said.
He was of the opinion that if the coalition government is allowed to complete its five years tenure, it can bring revolution in the country and can succeed to overcome crisis of electricity.
To a question regarding commuting the death sentence of Indian citizen Sarabjit Singh, Nawaz Sharif said if the government of Pakistan is considering commutation of his capital punishment, it is necessary that such a step should be linked with similar treatment with Pakistanis stranded in India in similar cases.
“As regards relations with India, we should talk to India on Kashmir and other issues side by side”, the former PM said.
Answering a question regarding Pak-US relations vis-a-vis the recent visit of high profile US officials to Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif said the Americans should understand new realities.
“I think the Americans have understood that the new government has its own approach on the issue of war on terror. It will be better if Americans want to go with us”, he added.
To a question he said he did not have any personal issue with MQM. However we have some reservations about MQM and everyone knows what these reservations are, he said.
Asked from where he will contest by-election the PML-N Chief said, he has not yet decided about it because he is uncertain about the contesting in the by-election.
Explaining he said if his nomination papers are accepted by the Returning Officer but opponent candidate challenges them in the supreme court of Pakistan, he will not defend himself in the apex court and thus he will be disqualified.