March 29, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 20, 1429

LAHORE, March 28: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday withdrew its protest call after the Punjab governor notified the convening of the provincial assembly session on April 9.

PML-N Punjab President Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa told the media here on Friday that the party had withdrawn its call given on Wednesday for demonstrations by MPAs-elect outside the Governor’s House and the Punjab Assembly to press the government to requisition the maiden session of the new house.

He said though their protest call ‘forced’ the government to convene the session, but the PML-N was not happy at the date set for the session because it was too late.

Calling the delay ‘injustice’ with the people of Punjab, Khosa said members of the NWFP Assembly took oath on Friday, as the session of the house was convened earlier than the schedule. “Why Punjab Assembly session cannot be rescheduled like the NWFP Assembly session?” he questioned.

Hinting at the accountability of the former ruling party, the PML-N leader said the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) would have to answer for the ‘misuse’ of the Rs184 billion development budget. "The new government will see where these funds were spent. It will ensure recovery of the misused public money."Answering a question, Khosa said all details about the provincial government had been finalised and these would be made public at an appropriate time.

About horse-trading allegations by former chief minister Pervaiz Elahi, Khosa said PML-Q leaders were leaving their party because of ‘failed policies’ and ‘nepotism’ of the Chaudhrys. "The Q leaguers forming forward bloc in their party are in fact concerned about their future. They do not want to remain onboard the sinking ship of the former ruling party."

JUDGES ISSUE: PML-N MNA Tehmina Daultana says the oath of every parliamentarian of her party made it binding on them to have all the deposed judges restored.

Speaking to the Punjab Bar Council on Friday, she accused the US of meddling in Pakistan’s affairs – a step which was unacceptable as “Pakistan is a sovereign state and the US ambassadors should act like diplomats not like viceroys”.

She said a majority of the Pakistanis wanted restoration of judiciary and opposed one-man rule which had been continuing for the last eight years. She said the military should perform its duties in barracks instead of dictating the country. The PML-N, she said, would ensure rule of law by eliminating the discriminatory laws.

PbBC Vice-Chairman Aslam Sindhu said the people did not take to the street against the government because they hardly made both ends meet due to wrong policies of the government. He said if the ruling political parties did not restore the judges within a month, the lawyers would initiate a decisive movement against the government.—Staff Reporter