KARACHI, Dec 22: General Secretary of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senator Zafar Iqbal Jhagra has demanded of the government to adopt an independent foreign policy by holding talks with all stakeholders on the ‘war on terrorism’ and restoring the judiciary’s independence.

Addressing a crowded press conference at the Press Club on Monday, Mr Jhagra said the PML-N from the very first day had a clear stance on the independence of the judiciary. The party wanted that the judiciary be restored to its pre-Nov 3 status, he said, adding that the challenges being faced at present were due to lack of the independent judiciary.

The senior party leader said that slogan of ‘Roti, Kapra and Makan’ (bread, clothing and shelter) was meaningless without the restoration of the independent judiciary. “That is why the PML-N has always supported the lawyers’ movement for the independence of the judiciary,” he remarked.

He recollected the events of May 12 and said the mayhem would be remembered as a black day in the country’s history. Suggesting lawyers to give a timeframe to the PPP-led government for the restoration of the judiciary, he assured that his party would strongly support them.

He said people voted the PPP to power because at that time the party stood for the restoration of the judiciary. “Now when there is a democratic government in the country and a sovereign parliament, all important issues should be discussed and resolved in the parliament,” he said, citing the judiciary’s independence as the vital issue.

He said the PML-N was struggling for the people of Pakistan and not for federal ministries or government. That was the reason the party did not compromise on the judiciary and preferred to sacrifice 13 ministries, Mr Jhagra added.—PPI