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Gilani, Zardari agree to reverse by-polls schedule
PML (N), ANP express reservations over election delay
Staff Reporter
Islamabad—Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Co-Chairman
PPP, Asif Ali Zardari have agreed that by-elections must be held in
the first week of June
The Co-Chairman of the PPPP, Asif Ali Zardari met the Prime Minister
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani here at the Prime Minister’s House on
Tuesday evening. The half an hour meeting was also attended by Ms.
Sherry Rehman, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting.
Both the leaders exchanged views on the prevailing political
situation as well as party matters.
During the meeting both the leaders seriously discussed the matters
relating to by-elections and decided that these should be held
according to previous schedule.
They also sought report from all the four provinces about the law
and order situation in order to ensure implementation of the
decision.
Both the leaders also discussed the prevailing crisis in the country
in length and decided to devise an effective policy to overcome
crisis of flour and electricity shortage.
Co-Chairman PPP, Asif Ali Zardari also expressed his satisfaction
over the steps taken by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for
taking proper measures to control all crises.
They also reviewed the law and order situation in the country.
Meanwhile, two component parties of the ruling coalition, Muslim
League-N and Awami National Party have expressed their reservations
over postponement of the bye-elections.
It is being expected that the decision of delay in the by-polls will
be reversed soon.
According to the information gathered from sources inside the
coalition, the government could not function in existing shape if
the decision about delaying the by-elections should not be
cancelled.
Muslim League-N and Awami National Party have expressed their
reservations on the issue. The credibility of the NWFP government is
being damaged with postponement of the elections, ANP has intimated
to the major partner of the coalition Pakistan People’s Party,
sources said.
Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Information Minister in North West Frontier
Province, said Interior Ministry head Rehman Malik had asked the
province’s chief minister to request a delay.
An aide to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who leads the
second-largest party in the coalition, called for an inquiry and
said Malik should be fired if found culpable.
“Some black sheep within the government are serving the interests”
of Musharraf, Sadiqul Farooq said. “Rehman Malik is apparently a
part of this conspiracy.”
Mobbed by reporters Tuesday, Malik, did not address his alleged
role. “We will go into the details, and we will definitely come back
to the people of Pakistan, but we are protesting against this
postponement,” he said.
Muslim League-N was of the view that the elections have been
deferred to stop entry of Shahbaz Sharif in Punjab Assembly.
The decision is likely to be reverted, sources added.
The wrangling has spawned speculation that Zardari wants to
compromise with Musharraf, who had tried to negotiate a
power-sharing deal with Bhutto before her December assassination.
The upcoming elections are to make up for polls that could not be
held or were voided in some areas in February due to irregularities,
security threats and the deaths of candidates, including Bhutto.
The commission previously rescheduled those votes for June 18 to
fill federal and provincial assembly seats.
Zardari and Sharif have both expressed interest in running for a
National Assembly seat, though Farooq said Monday that Sharif had
decided not to. Sharif’s brother Shahbaz is also planning to contest
a seat in the Punjab provincial assembly.
The election commission is technically independent but full of
presidential nominees.
Commission secretary Kanwar Dilshad and a Musharraf spokesman have
denied that the president had any role in the delay.
PML-N Secretary General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra demanded of the EC. To
review the decision of postponement of by-elections.
Talking to newsmen here Tuesday, he expressed the hope that the
decision of postponement of by-elections should be reviewed and
elections held according to previous schedule.
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