Peshawar News

Shahbaz welcomes PM’s statement about judges’ return Defends Punjab’s wheat policy; asks NWFP to stop smuggling to Afghanistan Monday, July 21, 2008 Tauseef-ur-Rahman PESHAWAR: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has welcomed Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s statement about the restoration of deposed judges and said the restoration would be a gift to the nation. Talking to media persons at the Bilour House, where he had come to offer fateha for the departed soul of the mother of Bilour brothers, Shahbaz said the revival of pre-November 3 judiciary would usher in a new era of the rule of law and make Pakistan strong. He said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was striving hard for the legal community cause and would remain part of the lawyers’ movement till the achievement of the goal. He also hinted at PML-N MNAs rejoining of the federal cabinet if the judges were restored. He said a final decision in this regard would be taken by the party’s chief Mian Nawaz Sharif. To a question, he said, his party’s participation in the lawyers’ movement for the restoration of sacked judges was not aimed at destabilising the government but establishing a stable democratic system in the country. Shahbaz said instead of opting for negotiations and talks, President General (R) Pervez Musharraf always tried to resolve disputes by using force that deteriorated the situation. The Punjab chief minister held that no patriotic person could have sympathies with militants or terrorists but negotiations should be the first priority of the government in resolving issues with any conflicting party as it involved threat to lives of innocent people. He said the use of force should be considered as the last resort. Shahbaz said unless peace was restored in the country, development, provision of basic facilities to masses and foreign investment would remain a far cry. “Foreign investment will come to the country only if peace is restored”, he added. This is how the country could provide a remedy for growing unemployment in the country, he said. Replying to a query, Shahbaz said the Punjab government was currently supplying 6,500 tonnes of flour on daily basis to the NWFP, adding that they would continue to supply the same. He urged the NWFP government to take steps for stopping flour smuggling to Afghanistan. Shahbaz said Mian Nawaz Sharif was out of the country due to the illness of his spouse and he (Shahbaz) would represent the party in the meeting of the coalition partners convened for July 23.