Sharif brother’s ineligibility to derail democracy: Fazl

BANNU: Head of Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam (F) Maulana Fazl ur Rehman said on Friday Supreme Court verdict to disqualify Sharif brothers from contesting polls will strengthen hands of anti-democratic forces in Pakistan and hinted it will destabilize democracy.

He told a press conference here and added the aftermath of SC ruling will increase tension in Punjab.

He revealed his contacts with Awami National Party (ANP)’s head Asfandyar Wali and Sharif brothers would be fruitful in finding a peaceful solution of the prevailing political turmoil.

Defending President Zardari’s version over SC judgment, he said President Zardari termed SC verdict as court’s ruling instead of his conspiracy while due to constitutional requirement, President was forced to impose Governor-rule in Punjab.

Fazl called for establishing independent judiciary and urged to dismiss those judges who took oath under Provisional Constitutional Ordinance (PCO).

He accused US of netting conspiracies against Pakistan.
Source: http://www.geo.tv/2-27-2009/36142.htm

Nawaz paying price of principled politics: Qazi

LAHORE: Ameer Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Qazi Hussain Ahmed said Friday Nawaz Sharif had to pay the price to follow principled politics. He was speaking at the gathering of Friday prayer here.

He termed Supreme Court ruling as the desire of President Zardari and added this crisis might lead Zardari to destruction.

Desire to keep all powers under one’s hand, by politicians in past, has always proved fruitless for them and President Zardari is making same mistake.

Media will surely be in firing line after Sharif brothers’ issue is resolved, Qazi predicted.

PPP to form government in Punjab

ISLAMABAD: A meeting held in the Presidency on Friday decided that Pakistan People’s Party will be will form government in Punjab.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the participants of the meeting authorized President Asif Ali Zardari to nominate PPP candidate for the post of Punjab chief minister.

Giving details of the meeting of PPP’s parliamentary party Punjab held under the chairmanship of President Zardari, the spokesman said the meeting had expressed its confidence in the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari.

Earlier, addressing the meeting, President Asif Ali Zardari said that the Pakistan Peoples Party is a democratic party whose workers are dedicated political activists and they will face the current political situation in a democratic manner which is in line with the history of the party during such situations.

The meeting pondered over the latest political situation in Punjab arising out of the imposition of governor rule in the province.

President Zardari said that the party had embarked on the course of reconciliation with sincere intentions and did not want confrontation with any political party.

However, the PPP is also a vibrant political force and was capable of facing the current situation with courage, determination and political sagacity, he added.

The meeting co-chaired by the President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was attended by the PPP parliamentarians from Punjab.

Cabinet Ministers Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Mian Raza Rabbani also attended the meeting.

A number of participants of the meeting spoke on the occasion and gave their suggestions on tackling the current situation.

The meeting also reposed complete confidence in the leadership of co-chairman of PPP Asif Ali Zardari.

A resolution adopted unanimously said that the party stood solidly behind its leader Asif Ali Zardari.

The meeting condemned the burning and tearing down of the portraits of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and warned that the party would not tolerate the desecration of Shaheed Mohtarma.

It also condemned the harsh language used against the co-chairman and warned against turning political differences into personal animosity and vendetta.

Those throwing stones at the PPP leadership should remember that they themselves are sitting in glass houses, the meeting noted.
Source: http://www.geo.tv/2-28-2009/36152.htm