RAWALPINDI, Jan 6: The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz group) parliamentary leader, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, has said no attempts are being made for the reunification of the PML factions.

He was speaking at the Meet the Press Forum of the Rawalpindi Press Club here on Monday.

Mr Khan said the PML-N had a clear-cut policy on cooperation with other political parties, which was opposition to the Legal Framework Order, fresh election for the office of the president and independent economic and foreign policies.

To a question about cooperation with the Pakistan People’s Party, he said though both the parties had diverging opinions on various national issues, they got together under the umbrella of Alliance for Restoration of Democracy for the supreme cause of revival of democracy.

About the election of opposition leader in the National Assembly, he said the PML-N had got decisive votes, but was trying to cobble together a grand opposition. For that purpose, he said efforts were being made to prepare some sort of package to make both the PPP and MMA cooperate with each other.

Commenting on the government’s performance, he said it lacked confidence to the extent that it could not even reveal the true situation to the nation.

He said the government’s position was like that of a child, who had done something wrong, but was not ready to admit it before the parents because of fear of being scolded.

He said the government’s stance concerning developments on Pak-Afghan border was an example of the situation confronting it.

Regretting the government’s handling of the situation, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said if the government was in charge of the situation it should respond by itself.

“Instead of the prime minister telling the country about the situation, the briefing came from Gen Rashid Qureshi,” he said, and added that by now the parliament’s session should have been convened by the government to discuss the situation.

The PML-N leader urged the prime minister to act as a true representative of the people and start the process of national reconciliation. He said such a thing would augur well for the life of the parliament and democracy.

Mr Khan said the government had started suffering from credibility crises and masses suspected its claims. He said the nation lacked confidence and frustration and depression was prevalent.

The PML-N leader said the government had removed the difference between truth and falsehood.

Chaudhry Nisar criticized the government for appointing Ishratul Ibad as Sindh governor. He said there were 30 cases of terrorism, anti-state activities and murder against Mr Ibad. However, he said those who levelled these accusations themselves raised him to the position of a governor and that of a very sensitive province.

These allegations, he said, were in black and white and could not be simply wished away. The nation, he said, wanted a clarification from the government about this appointment.

“If Mr Ibad’s appointment is right than the government should clarify whatsoever had been happening with the MQM from 1992 onwards,” he said.

The PML-N leader said the MQM had been an ally of the PML-N on two occasions and both times the separation occurred due to circumstances created by the military.

Regarding the PML-N’s demand for Mian Nawaz Sharif’s return, he said those purporting him as a convict should tell who allowed him to escape. He said Mr Sharif was sent into exile as he was considered as a political threat to the government.

Speaking about Gen Musharraf’s claim of sincerity in restoring democracy, he questioned: “Why is he then reluctant in removing the military uniform despite being sure of a success in election for the presidency with the MMA and PML-Q ready to support him.”