0
KARACHI, Jan 20: Though Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif are sincere in their efforts to strengthen democracy in the country, certain elements close to the leaders appear to be giving them bad advice, thus creating rifts between political forces.
This was stated by Pakistan People’s Party Sindh general-secretary Nafis Siddiqi at a press conference held at his residence on Tuesday. Mr Siddiqi was accompanied by adviser to the Sindh chief minister Rashid Rabbani and the CM’s special assistant Waqar Mehdi.
He said the current global and national crises demanded that all “progressive and patriotic” forces forge unity in their ranks so that “democracy is not derailed.” Praising the Sharif brothers, the PPP leader added that “patriotic forces” should refrain from any words or actions that might threaten the democratic process.
Referring to reports in a section of the press that claimed President Asif Ali Zardari had used uncharitable language when discussing the role of the media in national affairs, Nafis Siddiqi denied Mr Zardari had made any such remarks.
“We respect institutions, including the media. Mr Zardari said nothing against the media. Democracy can only flourish when the media and the judiciary are free. The people will decide … history will decide which institutions are playing what part.”
He added that the media should also show responsibility.
Mr Siddiqi said that everyone is interpreting the Charter of Democracy differently. However, a free judiciary was part of Benazir Bhutto’s manifesto. “This should not be about personalities. The present judiciary should also be respected.” Mentioning Jamaat-i-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed by name, he added that those political parties which had boycotted last year’s general elections should respect the mandate of the present government.
He said the numerous election petitions still pending should be dealt with forthwith, adding that the PPP had started preparations for the local bodies’ polls – due later this year – throughout Sindh.
Labour union
Briefing the media at the Press Club, PPP Karachi president Faisal Raza Abdi, accompanied by other labour and party leaders, announced that the Akai and Liberal Employees’ labour unions of Pakistani International Airlines had merged under the banner of People’s Unity.
Claiming that his party had always strived for the benefit of workers, the PPP leader said that any bureaucrat who tried to create hurdles in the implementation of pro-worker policies would face the music.
About the revival of students’ unions, Mr Abdi said that a code of ethics was being finalized in Islamabad and an announcement in this regard could be expected by March 23.
Dropping a hint about the possible future local government set-up in Sindh, the PPP Karachi president said that “it is my wish that a jiyala would be the next mayor – not nazim – of Karachi.”
