Zardari calls on Nawaz, seeks support on constitutional package

ISLAMABAD : PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday called on PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and sought his support for the proposed constitutional package to ensure supremacy of the parliament and strengthening of democracy, party sources said. The meeting between the two leaders at the Punjab House concluded without any formal announcement as Asif Zardari rushed back to his house to receive Turkish ambassador, who was scheduled to arrive there.
The party sources termed the meeting “good chemistry” and claimed that both sides agreed to adopt a middle way to resolve issues including restoration of the deposed judges.
Later, talking to the media, PML-N Secretary Information Ahsan Iqbal said that the PPP leader briefed Nawaz Sharif about the salient features of the 62-point constitutional package.
“We have just been briefed on the highlights, so the party cannot give its final opinion quickly. PML-N is yet to receive the copy of the draft, which is still under process with Law Minister Farooq H. Naek,” he said.
To a question the PML-N leader reiterated his party’s stand that the “Murree Declaration should be implemented in its true spirit.”
“Our party has demanded from its coalition partner to undo the November 3, 2007 steps. As far as the package is concerned PML-N would give unconditional support to the points derived from the Charter of Democracy (CoD) and non-controversial matters,” Ahsan Iqbal said.
He said, “our reservations regarding reinstatement of deposed judges are still there and need further discussion to end the discrepancy.”
According to press statement issued by a Zardari House spokesman, the meeting between the leadership of Peoples Party and Muslim League (N) concluded that the proposed constitutional package will be presented for the consideration of the parliament after developing consensus amongst coalition partners.
The meeting discussed important national political issues and complete harmony was found between the two sides on all issues, the statement said.
Zardari’s delegation at the meeting included senior party leaders Aftab Shaban Mirani, Syed Nayyar Husain Bokhari and Farzana Raja while the PML-N chief’s team included Shahbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, Chaudhry Nisar and Ahsan Iqbal.
The PPP co-chairman presented his point of view and explained the salient features of the proposed constitutional package to the PML (N) leadership.
The statement said Zardari asked Nawaz Sharif to support PPP so that the supremacy of the parliament and civilian institutions can be restored as was desired by the electorate of Pakistan through their votes in the election 2008.
Mian Nawaz Sharif assured the PPP delegation that PML (N) will respond to PPP after having a detailed review of the proposed constitutional package.
It was agreed in the meeting that minister for law and parliamentary affairs Farooq H. Naek will present the complete constitutional package to the legal experts of PML (N) while other coalition partners will also be taken into confidence before tabling it in the National Assembly, the statement said.
“Farooq H. Naek is likely to present that package to the PML (N) legal experts in the next couple of days,” it added.