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PPP optimistic about restoration of judges: Asif
Islamabad—Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari
Wednesday expressed Party’s commitment with regard to restoration of
deposed judges, saying “it (restoration) is decided as only modalities
are being worked out by the judges restoration committee.”
PPP Co-Chairman made these remarks in an exclusive interview with a
private television channel.
He said, PPP was optimistic about restoration of the deposed judges by
May 12 as it was already decided that judges would be restored and
only modalities are being worked out.
Zardari said, PPP has political will to reinstate the deposed judges,
saying “I am with the PML-N Quaid, Mian Nawaz Sharif in his each and
every political will.”
A committee of experts has been constituted to remove legal
impediments as the judges resolution would be drafted, defended and
implemented. If flaws are left, the opponent forces will take benefit
out of the situation.
To a question about commitment of Law Minister Farooq H. Naek to
restoration of the judges, PPP Co-Chairman said the party would fully
support him in achieving the task. It is a mater of principle that
both the parties must fulfil the promises made to people of the
country, he added.
The committee has representation from both the political parties, he
said adding that political impasse is not on restoration of the judges
but, only on modalities of restoration. Modalities would be formed in
accordance with the constitution.
He said, tabling of the draft was not an easy task as the proposed
suggestions have to be given a draft shape, which later has to be
defended and implemented.
“I am not a lawyer. They (committee members) have to articulate the
language, the law and then bring it into the parliament as we do not
want to be laughing stock.” The previous government was not a true
representative of the masses as they were just collection of
opportunists put together and their way of working was different he
added.
To a question, he said Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan represents Supreme Court
Bar Association and he represents the PPP only on the political front.
On not fulfilling 30 days deadline to reinstate the deposed judges, he
said PPP wants restoration of judges so there was need to remove some
legal complications on this way.
The Co-Chairman said, the government inherited various problems from
the previous regime, and there is need to resolve them by creating an
atmosphere of reconciliation in the country. He vowed to pull out the
country of inherited crisis including electricity, flour and price
hike to mitigate sufferings of the commonman. People want quick
resolution of their problems, he added.
Zardari said, PPP would welcome positive criticism from the opposition
parties to improve the functioning of the coalition government.
Criticism for the sake of improving the situation would be welcomed.
About freedom of media, he said even before forming of the PPP led
coalition government, banned TV channel programmes started airing
again.
He said, Peoples Party is fighting for the people, adding it lost five
Bhuttos and more sacrifices are being given for improving the fate of
the people.
To a question, Asif Ali Zardari said PPP does not want to indulge in
discussion of PCO or non-PCO judges as “PPP wants resolution of the
issue”. Citing the example of test cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s case, he
said phone calls were coming demanding that Shoaib should be allowed
to go to India for playing cricket, so he directed to resolve the
issue. Zardari said, he was still on bail in fake cases including drug
case adding several journalists investigated it but found nothing
concrete against him.
According to Charter of Democracy’s (CoD) spirit, all the judges are
PCO judges and some allies are also questioning it, zardari said.
Maulana Fazalur Rehman is saying that all PCO judges should be fired,
but the Prime Minister has no authority to do so as there is a set
procedure to fire the judges, he added.
Fazalur Rehman is adamant that CoD should be honoured, he said adding
alliance with JUI-F will continue as PPP wants to revive the economy
to bring prosperity in the country.—APP
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