PML-N calls on Zardari to give up party office
Monday, 21 Dec, 2009
LAHORE: Pakistan's main opposition party said on Monday it would not support any unconstitutional action against President Asif Ali Zardari or his government but warned of protests if Zardari did not give up some powers.
Several of Zardari's aides and two of his top ministers - Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar - were also on a list of people protected by the amnesty, and they too are facing calls to quit.
While some members of the main opposition party, led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, have called for Zardari and the two ministers to step down, the party has been circumspect.
A spokesman for the party, the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), said the party felt it was the 'moral duty' of Zardari and the two ministers to step down, but it was up to them.
'If Mr Zardari and his ministers, who were covered by the amnesty, do not resign, that's completely up to them,' the spokesman, Siddiqul Farooq, told a news conference.
Sharif's party would not be part of any unconstitutional move against Zardari, the spokesman said.
'Mr Nawaz Sharif has very clearly stated that democracy has to go on and if someone thinks that he will do something unconstitutional, he won't get our support,' Farooq said.
Farooq also said the party was not pushing early polls but said Zardari's party would 'pay the price' when they are held.
Analysts have ruled out any chance of a military coup for now. The danger for Zardari will come from the courts, they say.
Sharif is, however, pushing for constitutional changes to transfer powers, that the autocratic Musharraf assumed for the presidency, back to the office of the prime minister.
Farooq said his party could call for protests if Zardari failed to 'get rid of Musharraf's system'.
The opposition party also said President Zardari was violating the spirit of the country’s highest office by simultaneously holding the office of co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party.
Farooq criticised President Zardari for holding party meetings at the presidency.
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