PML-N Quaid and former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said those who had violated the Constitution and the law and dismissed the assemblies would be brought to justice, expressing the hope that the judges would be restored as per the Murree Declaration by April 30.
“If those involved in financial corruption can be held accountable, why those who violated the Constitution cannot be brought to justice,” Nawaz Sharif said while addressing a press conference after meeting a delegation of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) here.
Nawaz Sharif said there was no ambiguity in the reinstatement of the judges according to the Murree Declaration and the PML-N would like the judges to be restored before April 30 through an executive order.
The PML-N chief said restoration of the deposed judges was not a criminal act for which President Musharraf would use 58-2(b). “I think the hands dissolving parliament should be broken,” he warned.
He said the restoration of judiciary would be a fine step, which would never provide a justification to dissolve parliament. Sharif said he wanted no role of the Army in politics and would never become a part of the dictatorship.
Nawaz Sharif said the constitutional package regarding the appointment of the judges could be brought after the judges’ restoration. “I have told Asif Zardari that window of opportunity does not remain open for long and we should take all required steps in the shortest-possible time,” he maintained.
The former prime minister prayed that the two rival parties, which had joined hands for the first time for strengthening democracy, should carry forward their journey with success.
Nawaz Sharif said not only the judges should be restored but also the entire judiciary should function with complete independence according to the law and the Constitution.
The PML-N Quaid said he was confident that the PPP leadership was equally committed to the pledge made at Bhurban adding he did not have any doubt about the intentions of PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. He said some people were trying to create divisions in the coalition government, saying they would never become part of any dictatorship.
To a question, he said two federal ministers belonging to the PML-N who attended a dinner were not aware that Pervez Musharraf would also attend the event.
About the wheat crisis, the said the last government was responsible for this problem as that regime had exported wheat at low price and then imported the same on higher rates. He said they expected that the judiciary, as it was on November 2, 2007, would be restored by April 30 through a resolution of the National Assembly.
He said an executive order should be issued immediately after the passage of the resolution so that the deposed judges might resume their duties forthwith.
To a question, he said the alliance between the PPP and PML-N would remain intact and those trying to create differences would not succeed.
Nawaz Sharif said the nation voted against the policies of the previous government to bring a positive change in the society. He said the people were waiting for the change and there should be no delay in this regard.
He urged the political leadership, media and civil society to work for strengthening democracy and the democratic institutions.
Nawaz said his party had given full opportunity to the PPP to form the government at the Centre because “we had some reservations about taking oath from Musharraf”. He said the PML-N decided to be a part of the cabinet in the best national interest.
Opposing restrictions on the media, he said the Pemra ordinance should be repealed completely to ensure media freedom. He appreciated the struggle of the media for the restoration of democracy, strengthening of the institutions and the independence of judiciary.
Nawaz Sharif said there should be no restrictions on the press as media-specific Pemra ordinance was no more in place.